Definition extracted with permission from Simon, Fritz, et al, Family Process, Inc.: Language of Family Therapy: A Systemic Vocabulary and Source Book (Family Process Press Series)
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symptom shift/symptom formation
Within the perspective of family therapy, symptoms, whether physical, psychic, or behavioral, are seen as having an individual as well as a family-wide meaning and/or function. The more that a symptom serves a family-wide function, the greater is the likelihood that, in a static family structure, the disappearance or change in the symptoms of one family member will lead to symptom formation in other family members.