Psychopathy: causes, signs, symptoms

What is psychopathy

Psychopathic disorder is a painful variant of human behavior, often a sociopath, expressed in the excessive manifestation of negative character traits.
Most often he stands out:

• Heartlessness, rudeness, rudeness.
• A complete lack of sensitivity to other people's problems and pain.
• Reluctance to consider the opinions of others.
• Antisocial behavior with violent tendencies.
• The feeling of being right in situations where there is clear evidence to the contrary.

In the opposite type of disorder, painfully excessive:

• Anxiety.
• Indecisiveness.
• Closedness.
• Impressionability and self-deprecation.

In psychiatry, this type of behavior is not considered a disease in the literal sense. It is rather a social deviation with painful traits that requires specific correction. At the same time, psychiatrists have to deal with complex cases of this disorder.

Character accentuations

The concept of character accentuations described by A.E. Lichko, provides for the identification of several types within the framework of the mental norm. Character accentuation differs from psychopathy in that it is not a reason for medical intervention.

In fact, what Andrei Evgenievich described can be used by doctors, psychologists and even ordinary people - he wrote his work in simple, understandable and very beautiful literary language.

In this classification of characters, he notes hyperthymic people: they are characterized by an elevated mood, or, conversely, hypothymic - when a person is predominantly in a state of mental slumber.

The same classification describes types with hysterical traits - exalted, extroverted, people with grotesque and demonstrative behavior, requiring increased attention.

He describes paranoids - people who are cautious, suspicious, distrustful, as well as epileptoids with their rigidity, viscosity, pedantry, and increased attention to how others treat them.

The schizoid type is also described there - a secretive and introverted person, withdrawn, shy, bashful. A description of many anxious characters, psychasthenic and anxious-suspicious, is given - they are characterized by increased reflection, deep inner experiences, self-doubt and indecision.

Or the so-called anankast - a pedant who cannot live without projects, without planning his immediate and distant goals and objectives. And much, much more...

The main features of character accentuation include the skill and ability of a person - the bearer of one or another accentuation - to gradually and increasingly increasing harmonization over time. That is, to a mosaic, to the manifestation of new acquired traits, and each of them essentially compensates for another trait.

Life experience helps a person put together this mosaic of characters within himself and successfully, harmoniously use the strengths of a particular character in different life situations.

The ability to harmonize, to control one’s behavior, to differentiate it distinguishes character accentuation from psychopathy.

COST OF TREATMENT FOR MENTAL DISEASES

The duration of treatment in a hospital is from 14 to 90 days, depending on the severity of the disease.
TREATMENT IN A HOSPITAL.

AMBULATORY TREATMENT

TREATMENT IN A HOSPITAL

Inpatient treatment – ​​accommodation options

AMBULATORY TREATMENT

Ambulatory treatment

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Differences between psychopathy and character accentuations

As a very important differential sign of the difference between psychopathy and character accentuations, Pyotr Borisovich pointed to social maladjustment.

All these features and the inability to change something, go around, react or behave atypically for himself make the psychopath unbearable - he cannot get along with anyone. In this situation, he is, as a rule, thrown out of the social environment. He is left alone with himself, with his problems and very difficult psychological questions. He cannot start a family or hold down a job for long.

As a rule, trying to compensate for his personal and characterological problems, the psychopath turns out to be an unusually capable, very hardworking and highly qualified specialist. This is a special problem. You see a specialist who is unique in one field or another, but he cannot realize his professional qualities and abilities because of his psychopathic, prickly character.

Sometimes with psychopathy, so-called compensation occurs, when, by a happy coincidence, the psychopath’s environment turns out to be very convenient for him. Either there are people who are ready to tolerate his behavior for the sake of his professional qualities, or next to him there is another psychopath with the opposite character. Two loneliness met, which merged according to the principle of compensation into each other, and a special family was formed. Or macro-social circumstances have developed in a certain way: in the country where the psychopath lives, global changes have occurred, and the conditions for life and full functioning are quite convenient and sufficient for him.

In these situations, we see obvious progress in the life of a psychopath: very often he finds himself in a leading position, leads many people, and sometimes can become the initiator of a global macrosocial process or revolution. History knows such pathological individuals who became leaders of significant changes in the social structure of society. But, unfortunately, psychopathy cannot remain in a compensatory state for a long time - sooner or later a breakdown, decompensation occurs, and ultimately all this leads to the desocialization of the psychopath.

Causes of psychopathy

The factors leading to the development of personality deviations are very diverse.

Important psychiatrists include:

• Heredity. The manifestation of psychopathic problems in the family is a prerequisite for their occurrence in close relatives.
• Pathology of pregnancy, complicated childbirth and painful childhood.
• Unfavorable environment of upbringing and life with the experience of psychophysical violence, tyranny, inappropriate behavior of persons (in places of deprivation of liberty), on whom the psychopath was dependent.
• Transference of psychologically traumatic situations: deaths, disasters, accidents, wars and other factors that have a destructive impact on the psyche.

General advice for loved ones and relatives of a person with psychopathy traits

1. Try not to argue, do not try to dissuade. If possible, switch his attention to something else.
2. Avoid conflicts and do not provoke emotional reactions.
3. Don't allow yourself to be manipulated. Learn to refuse him.
4. If you see that he is hungry, sleep deprived, tired, etc. - try to eliminate it as soon as possible (give food, the opportunity to sleep, rest). In a state of mental and physical fatigue, psychopathic traits sharply intensify.
5. Find a doctor (psychiatrist or psychotherapist) whom he trusts and maintain constant contact with him (the doctor). Treatment of psychopathy can improve the quality of life of the patient himself and especially his environment.
6. In a state of intoxication, a psychopath may be prone to aggressive actions (unlike a healthy person, for whom intoxication occurs in the form of euphoria). Therefore, whenever possible, create conditions for maintaining sobriety.
7. Don't blame yourself if you don't have a relationship with a person with psychopathic traits. Psychopaths do not have harmonious relationships with others, which is why, unfortunately, over time, only close blood relatives remain with them (marriages break up, friendships are destroyed, they cannot stay in one place at work due to duty). This is not your fault!
8. The emotional and volitional sphere of a psychopath is somewhat reminiscent of a child’s. Therefore, behave as you would behave with a child or teenager.

Types of psychopathy, signs and symptoms, stages

Precursors of a psychopathic state - personality accentuations - occur on average in 10% of the population. It is these individuals who most often become psycho-sociopaths. The percentage of patients suffering from this disorder among all people is quite high. According to statistics, it is within 1-2%. Individuals with aggressive types of the disorder pose a danger to society.

The main signs of this type of psychopathy:

• Extreme degree of egocentrism.
• Cruelty reaching the point of sadism.
• Unceremoniousness and unwillingness to take into account someone's opinion.
• Despotism, a painful desire for power and control of other people.
• A sharp decrease or absence of emotional experiences.

It is this psychotype that is most often associated with crime. Men are more prone to physical forms of expression of psychopathic deviations, while among women psychological ones dominate. The psycho-social treatment of such persons is a particularly responsible matter.

Treatment of psychopathy in men

Therapy is carried out using medications that are selected individually, taking into account the severity of symptoms and the severity of the disorder. As a rule, psychotropic drugs are prescribed. Preference is given to tranquilizers of the benzodiazepine group. If a depressed, depressive state predominates in the clinical picture, antidepressants are prescribed. Treatment is carried out over a long period of time with constant dose adjustment to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.

Psychotherapy is required, the main goal of which is the patient’s adaptation to society, correction of behavior and incorrect subconscious attitudes, and control of one’s own emotions. Sometimes group classes and art therapy provide good results.

The specialists at the Leto specialized clinic know very well how to treat psychopathy in men, and our doctors have extensive experience working with patients suffering from this illness. To schedule a consultation, call us at any time 8(969)060-93-93.

Diagnostics

The examination stage requires some time from the doctors of our clinic.

To make an accurate diagnosis, they use:

• A conversation in the form of a dialogue, during which all the nuances of the person being examined are gradually clarified.
• Conversation with relatives.
• Dynamic monitoring of the patient.

A psychologist is involved in the diagnostic process, supplementing medical data with test methods and a special PSL-R questionnaire. He also makes additional recommendations for treatment.

When diagnosing, it is important not only to establish the psychopathic type, but also the stage of the process:

• Compensated.
• Subcompensated.
• Decompensated.

These data must be taken into account when prescribing treatment.

Types of psychopathy

Modern views on the problem have led to the formation of multiple classifications. Let's consider the most applicable one in domestic practice. It is based on the theoretical views and practical developments of Russian scientists, followers of P.B Gannushkin.

In the clinic of psychopathy, the following forms are distinguished:

• Asthenic – with characteristic fearfulness, psychophysical weakness, vegetative disorders. Mimosa type.
• Psychasthenic – manifested by excessive indecision, introspection, anxiety and fear of responsibility.
• Schizoid. The bearer of this psychopathic portrait is closed, self-absorbed, prone to intellectual activities, striving to direct all his talents to self-satisfaction. Knowing his worth, absolutely indifferent to others, capable of self-destruction and unemotional harm to other people.
• Paranoid. The patient is a stuck, stubborn and touchy bearer of overvalued ideas, often of a destructive nature, who pursues their implementation to the end.
• Epileptoid. Has excitability, rage and anger of extreme strength. Doesn't forgive anyone's mistakes and is vengeful. The idea of ​​vengeance can be carried around for decades unnoticed by others.
• Hysterical. Actor type. Obsessed with himself and demands the attention of others. He often lies to please himself and to get what he wants. Prone to taking psychoactive substances.
• Cycloid. A client with a sharply changing emotional background. From depression with depression he falls into the status of hyperthymic. In both cases there is a tendency towards socially pathological behavior.

What are the psychopathological types?

1. Hyperthymic type. Sociable, cheerful people, subject to adventurism, with a low ability to morally evaluate actions. They are superficial in their judgments, prone to litigiousness, but are soft in character and compliant. Lower needs are strengthened.
2. Depressive type. People with severely low self-esteem are pessimists by nature. They are diligent and scrupulous in their work, usually gloomy and in a sad, depressed mood. They are laconic and show restraint in communications. Increased feelings of guilt and self-deprecation.
3. Cycloid type. Individuals with changeable moods. When calm, they are sociable and easily understand other people. They are realists, and also full of vitality. Sometimes they are characterized by short-term bursts of aggression, which are quickly forgotten. They perceive even an insignificant decline in mood extremely difficult.
4. Emotive type. Individuals with highly fluctuating moods. They lack strong interests, emotions, behavior, and attitude to the situation. People have a lack of will and increased emotionality. They are capable of strong affection and empathy, and are often simple and cheerful in communication, despite their constant variability and instability.
5. Asthenic type. These individuals are characterized by irritability, sensitivity, rapid mental exhaustion and impressionability. They are easily hurt and vulnerable, have a strong sense of inferiority and low self-esteem with a high level of self-esteem. Such people are extremely sensitive to immediate stimuli. Asthenic individuals subtly sense the slightest changes in the behavior of the environment. In an unfamiliar environment they behave distantly and timidly. Outbursts of irritability quickly exhaust them, and attacks of guilt occur. There is a predisposition to hypochondria, as well as phobias.
6. Hysterical type. These people have an inherent desire to appear better than they are. There is a tendency to demonstrate oneself. They love to be the center of attention always and everywhere. They are characterized by theatricality, deceit, posing, and a desire to produce an external effect. The emotions demonstrated are very bright and unstable, they are designed to attract attention. Such people are capricious, childish and immature.
7. Epileptoid type. Extremely hot-tempered and irritable. They strive for strict ordering of the reality around them. Often outbursts of anger go to extremes. A person of this type can cause serious injury or even kill while in a state of passion. They are selfish, selfish, suspicious, prone to conflict and do not get along well in a team, and always strive for leadership. They may feel guilty after an outburst of aggression, but then the attacks are repeated. Such individuals often appear in forensic cases.
8. Paranoid type. Characterized by the desire to create overvalued ideas, which are hypertrophied jealousy, hypochondria, etc. Narrow-minded, such people often see ill-wishers in everyone who does not agree with their attitudes. They have a high opinion of themselves, are selfish, and vindictive. Such individuals are characterized by narrow-mindedness, fixation on ideas, stubbornness, and inflexibility of the psyche. They are prone to reasoning, fruitless reasoning and at the same time have immature thinking. Such people are straightforward, have no sense of humor, stubborn, and are not inclined to compromise. Failures only motivate them to act with renewed vigor.
9. Schizoid type. Personalities are closed, seem to be isolated from the outside world. They have original thinking and a contradictory character. They combine both coldness and emotional hypersensitivity. They are prone to symbolism and complex theorizing. Alienated from people. They are perceived by others as original, quirky, eccentric. It is difficult to communicate. They have categorical evaluative statements. Personalities of this type are cautious and do not trust people. In a field of activity that requires a fresh artistic look and unusual ideas, schizoids are capable of achieving considerable heights. Their emotions are complex and multifaceted. They coexist with the willingness to sacrifice oneself for the sake of ideas, and at the same time the inability to understand loved ones. The movements of a schizoid seem angular, mannered, and caricatured. In everyday life such people are inactive and selective in their activities. They often come from personal motives. Their suggestibility is combined with stubbornness and negativism. Schizoids are usually divided into two types: sensitive and cold. The former are distinguished by a subtle perception of reality, vulnerability, suspiciousness, and high sensitivity. Such individuals often take everything personally. They completely withdraw into themselves and live in a fantasy world, where they are most comfortable. They are much less interested in reality. Sensitive schizoids prefer solitude; they are timid, indecisive and shy. Cold people, on the contrary, are cruel, ruthless, and pedantic. Human experiences are alien to them; they act from purely rational motives. Their behavior is also based on a complex system of subjective values.
10. Unstable type. Weak-willed, submissive people with a tendency to adapt to the influence of the environment. Beliefs as such are formed from there, and not from subjective views and values. They do not like loneliness and prefer to be in society. Such individuals have a poorly developed will mechanism, they are unstable and easily move from one state to another. They need regular monitoring and behavior correction.
11. Psychasthenic type. Such people are in many ways similar to the asthenic type. However, in addition to irritability, sensitivity, and vulnerability, this type is distinguished by a tendency to doubt, indecision, and uncertainty. Mental activity is reduced, so they are prone to introspection and fruitless philosophizing. Their thinking is characterized by the isolation of intellectual activity from reality in favor of abstractions. People of this type constantly doubt making a decision, and when they find a solution, they strive to implement it as soon as possible. Such a person constantly analyzes the actions of the past and has low self-esteem. An important attribute of this type are obsessions, obsessive thoughts, images, ideas, memories. They are also called anxious and suspicious, since anxiety is one of the basic traits of this personality type. It is also worth noting pedantry, scrupulousness, and obsession. They demand the same from others.