The saviour syndrome

Among us there are saviours. These are people who are very, even too, empathetic, who want to help everyone in any situation. They are people who will give everything for others, even if it means forgetting themselves. We call this the saviour syndrome.

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1. WHAT IS SAVIOUR SYNDROME ?

Saviour syndrome is a psychological disorder that is not listed in the DSM. People have a constant need to receive gratitude and recognition from others. Thus, it presents an empathy and a need for sacrifice for others, which is constant. This syndrome is also referred to as “co-dependency“.

They are people who lack a great deal of self-confidence. What they are looking for is not necessarily to help others, but unconsciously to help themselves. Helping others will also satisfy their ego, both in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. 

Empathy is therefore a particularly well-developed character trait in these people. They are often found in occupations related to helping others. Jobs where people have to be very caring, especially in the health sector. Rescuers can also more easily surround themselves with people who need to be helped”, such as people with an addiction. 

It is necessary to distinguish between a person with saviour syndrome and a person who is altruistic. The big difference between the two is that the saviour will have no limits in the help he will give, even sacrificing himself or his needs. 

There are different categories of rescuers : 

  • the damaged saviour: represented by people who need to be loved and admired in order to compensate for their wounds and self-image. They therefore have a constant need to be admired.  
  • The empathic rescuer: This type of rescuer is a person who cannot stand the fact that his or her partner is moving away, he or she will experience this emotional distance as a threat. Thus this type of saviour will be extremely afraid of being abandoned.
  • The terrorising saviour: This is a person who will want to do anything to avoid being abandoned. He or she is therefore a manipulator, who will exert physical and emotional control over his or her victim.

In the most extreme cases, the saviour may go so far as to provoke unhappiness in others by belittling them, manipulating them… in order to be able to save them more easily later.

2. THE CAUSES OF SAVIOUR SYNDROME

There are several explanations for this syndrome. The causes of saviour syndrome are often found in childhood. 
They may be children who have experienced various traumas, abandonment. 

They may also be children who have been “parentified”. That is, they had to take on the role of parents to their brothers and sisters at a very early age.
They are people who need to feel valued and to exist for others. With their self-esteem often very low, helping others allows them to improve their ego.

3. THE LINK WITH THE NURSE’S SYNDROME

With the multitude of syndromes that exist, it is easy to get lost. However, care must be taken not to confuse saviour syndrome with nurse syndrome. 

The first distinction is made by the prevalence of people affected by the nurse syndrome. As the name suggests, it is often women who suffer from Nurse Syndrome, whereas for Saviour Syndrome it is men and women indiscriminately. 

The second major distinction between the two comes from the provision of help. In the saviour syndrome, the person expects a certain amount of recognition for his or her help. Helping others allows them to inflate their ego. Some people will even call the saviour syndrome “narcissistic altruism“. 

In Nurse Syndrome, people are not looking for any interest behind their help, they are in empathy, generosity and a need to help others, without expecting anything in return. The relationship of a person with Nurse Syndrome can be extremely toxic for both partners. The “nurse” will give everything for her/his spouse while the second person in the couple may feel infantilised.

4. MANAGEMENT OF SAVIOUR SYNDROME

In order to be able to deal with the saviour syndrome, a first step is essential. Awareness of the disorder. 

The aim of the therapy is not to fall into the other extreme and not to help others. But it is going to be in the fact of being able to accompany, to help without falling into an unhealthy relationship which can harm the person. 

The needs of rescuers are often put aside in favour of the needs of others. The aim is to get the person to refocus on his or her own needs: to identify them and to concentrate on them. 

It is necessary to work on the self-esteem of the rescuer, as well as on their negative beliefs.

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FAQ

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that enables patients to be exposed to immersive and controlled environments, facilitating the management of numerous psychological and psychiatric disorders. Its use in mental health offers several advantages:
  • Gradual and Controlled Exposure: VR allows patients to confront anxiety-inducing situations in a secure environment, gradually adjusting the intensity of stimuli to promote habituation and emotional regulation.
  • Realistic and Reproducible Environments: Unlike traditional techniques, VR provides immersive scenarios that can be consistently reproduced, ensuring a coherent and effective approach.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: The interactive and immersive nature of VR enhances treatment adherence and motivates patients to continue their therapy.
  • Personalized Treatment: Virtual environments can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Versatile Applications: VR is used to treat anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, and even cognitive remediation.
The use of virtual reality in healthcare is not new! It has been studied and utilized for over 30 years in the medical and psychological fields. As early as the 1990s, researchers began exploring its potential for treating anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, numerous scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in addressing various psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders.
Today, VR is widely integrated into therapeutic and medical practices, with clinically validated protocols. It is used in hospitals, clinics, and psychologists' offices worldwide to provide patients with innovative, effective, and safe treatments.
To use virtual reality, one must immerse themselves in a virtual environment. There are several ways to achieve this.
In the past, the CAVE system (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), a 3D setup consisting of multiple screen walls, was the primary method used. This system allowed users to be fully immersed in the virtual world, with their movements detected in real-time. However, this technology was expensive and not widely accessible.
Since around 2016, with the introduction of virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, VR has become much more accessible. These headsets immerse users in virtual reality through an enclosed screen that projects digital images. The user's head movements are tracked, enabling them to look around and interact with the environment as they would in the real world.
Today, VR headsets are wireless and standalone, providing maximum comfort and ease of use without requiring external sensors or cables.
A virtual environment is an immersive digital simulation created through virtual reality. It allows users to navigate in a 3D space that accurately replicates everyday situations or specific contexts.
In mental health, these environments are designed to help individuals gradually face certain situations, manage their emotions, or enhance cognitive skills. By interacting with these virtual spaces, patients can engage in meaningful experiences tailored to their needs.
You need to equip yourself with a virtual reality headset. Our software is compatible with Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. 
You will then only need an internet connection. 
Numerous studies confirm that virtual reality is safe to use. However, some restrictions are in place to protect users from potential adverse effects.
For instance, individuals with epilepsy and pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy.
As with any immersive technology, prolonged use may cause visual fatigue or mild discomfort, particularly for those sensitive to motion sickness. Therefore, it is recommended to take regular breaks and adjust session durations according to individual needs.
Virtual environments are designed to be gradual and controlled, minimizing the risk of excessive anxiety. Most users quickly adapt to immersion and experience the benefits of this innovative approach from the first sessions.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be effectively treated using virtual reality. Patients are gradually and progressively exposed to anxiety-inducing situations in various environments while remaining in a safe space. This process helps develop a sense of habituation, ultimately reducing or even eliminating anxiety over time.
Behavioral and substance addictions can also be addressed through virtual reality. By incorporating synthetic stimuli into the environments that trigger craving responses, patients struggling with addiction can work on their cravings to diminish the urge to consume.
Additionally, multiple environments—such as bars, casinos, and social settings—enable cognitive work on dysfunctional beliefs associated with specific temptation scenarios.
Regarding eating disorders, virtual reality software helps target key etiological factors, such as body dysmorphia, allocentric lock (a tendency to focus on others rather than oneself), and food cravings.
Currently, our TERV (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) solutions include multiple software programs designed to address critical psychiatric, psychological, and neuropsychological determinants such as relaxation, cognitive stimulation, behavioral activation, and social skills training.
Reminiscence therapy is also a major therapeutic tool in treating depression. By allowing patients to relive sensations linked to past pleasurable activities (such as sports, driving, or traveling), virtual reality stimulates hypoactive brain areas, enhancing therapeutic success. VR serves as an excellent mediator for reigniting engagement in enjoyable activities.
Moreover, cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals is another area where virtual reality proves beneficial. By leveraging technology to make stimulation activities more engaging and accessible, patients and nursing home residents can improve executive functions and memory through specially designed applications.
Today, virtual reality in mental health care is advancing rapidly. Researchers, clinicians, and developers continue to explore new therapeutic targets to offer innovative and effective treatment solutions in the near future.
VR can be used by all healthcare professionals assisting patients with anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions, or other psychological challenges.
It is particularly beneficial for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialized nurses, as well as psychomotor therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, sophrologists, and hypnotherapists. With a wide range of immersive environments, VR enhances therapeutic approaches and provides innovative tools to improve patient care.
Healthcare providers incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) expand their range of treatment options. VRET is a well-established therapeutic technique with scientific validation from cognitive-behavioral therapy research.
  • Professional Differentiation: Integrating VR into practice allows therapists to stand out from traditional treatment options.
  • Scientific Validation: VRET is backed by extensive research, reinforcing its credibility as an effective treatment method.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The interactive nature of VR fosters greater patient involvement in therapy.
  • Time-Saving: VR provides direct access to various exposure environments without needing external logistics.

One of the considerable advantages of virtual reality is that it is effective on a wide spectrum of populations. Existing data from the literature on the subject shows us that it is entirely possible to expose a wide age group to virtual reality, with real therapeutic benefits.

The studies attest, in fact, to excellent feasibility and significant results; particularly in adults, in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders.

The results are identical for adolescents with a significant added value concerning therapeutic engagement where virtual reality promotes adolescents' interest in their therapy.

Among elderly subjects, study results encourage the use of virtual reality with the aim of working on cognitive stimulation, on behavioral disorders but also on anxiety.

One of the major advantages of virtual reality is its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of the population. Existing literature on the subject shows that virtual reality can be used with individuals of various age groups, providing significant therapeutic benefits.
Studies confirm excellent feasibility and significant results, particularly among adults in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.
The results are equally promising for adolescents, with a notable advantage in terms of therapeutic engagement, as virtual reality enhances their interest and participation in treatment.
For older adults, research supports the use of virtual reality to improve cognitive stimulation, behavioral disorders, and anxiety management.
However, people with epilepsy and pregnant individuals are not advised to undergo this type of therapy.
Yes, all our environments are grouped within a single application.
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