並列摘要
Demoralization syndrome is a clinical complex with persistent existential distress, hopelessness, helplessness, and lose meaning and purpose of life when a person suffering to severe medical or psychiatric illness. In hospice care, demoralization syndrome is concerned. Some patients suffered from demoralization with depression, but some without depression. In the assessment of demoralization, there are some tools in clinical practice and research. Therefore, medical staff have to make differential diagnoses before management of demoralization. How to deal with demoralization is still a question to be considered. Psychotherapy or spiritual care for demoralization is considered most commonly. Particularly, staff must help patients to construct their existential meanings.