Psychiatry is considered one of the most mysterious areas of medicine. After all, mental illness is very difficult to study. Each of them can proceed differently, depending on the characteristics of the patient's psyche. Some patients have several mental disorders at once. As in any medical speci alty, in psychiatry there are certain symptoms and syndromes, the division into which is necessary for the diagnosis of pathologies. Despite the fact that mental disorders manifest themselves in their own way, they have common signs. One of the well-known disorders is the hebephrenic syndrome. It can occur with a pathology such as schizophrenia. Less commonly, this psychopathological syndrome is observed in other diseases. This disorder can be diagnosed after a complete examination and observation of the patient. The treatment of this mental disorder is carried out by a psychiatrist.
What is hebephrenic syndrome?
Hebephrenia is a condition in which there is a violation of the thought process and the emotional sphere. Syndromecharacterized by a change in the behavior of the patient. Patients begin to behave like little children: make faces, make faces, run, etc. At the same time, the patient does not perceive comments from other people (parents, doctors), and can be aggressive. Hebephrenic syndrome almost always manifests itself in malignant schizophrenia. However, earlier this symptom was isolated as an independent pathology. From the Greek language, the syndrome is translated as "youth of the mind." It is understood that with hebephrenia, a person, as it were, falls back into childhood. However, unlike the child, the patient becomes completely uncontrollable. To calm the patient, one has to resort to antipsychotic drugs. In addition to behavioral disorders, contractions of the facial muscles are noted. This symptom is associated with neurological changes observed in the disease.
Historical description of hebephrenic syndrome
The syndrome was first described by the scientist Hecker in 1871. At that time, hebephrenia was not yet classified as a form of schizophrenia. She stood out as a separate mental disorder. Hecker called this syndrome hebephrenic paraphrenia. The term denotes that patients had delusions of grandeur with signs of transition to childish behavior. A description of this syndrome was published in France in 1895.
Later, Kraepelin found similarities between hebephrenic paraphrenia and another psychopathological syndrome called démence précoce. The latter means one of the forms of dementia described by Morel. Was later singled outa syndrome such as demetia praecox. Translated from Latin, it means "early or premature dementia." This psychopathological syndrome has become synonymous with hebephrenic disorder. In 1898, Kraepelin classified premature dementia as a group of endogenous diseases that lead to mental disorders. Among these pathological processes, catatonia, hebephrenia and paranoid thinking were identified. Later, each of these disorders began to be considered as a separate form of schizophrenia.
Features of hebephrenic syndrome
The main feature of hebephrenia syndrome is its early onset. This pathological condition begins to manifest itself in adolescence. Less commonly, it manifests itself in young people under 25 years of age. Another feature of the syndrome is its malignant course. This mental disorder is constantly progressing, therefore, after 2-3 years, constant patient care and the use of strong drugs - neuroleptics are required.
Hebephrenic syndrome is more common among the male population. The average age at which the first symptoms appear is 14-16 years. The pathological process is almost always continuous. Periods of prolonged remission and seizures are not typical for this disorder.
Reasons for the development of hebephrenia
In most cases, hebephrenia syndrome is a sign of schizophrenia. This is a special form of this pathology, which is characterized by an early onset andrapid development of severe mental disorders. Hebephrenic schizophrenia is difficult to treat. The reasons for the development of this syndrome include:
- Genetic predisposition to disease. The likelihood of developing hebephrenia is higher in people who have a burdened hereditary history of mental pathologies.
- Disorder of neurotransmitter systems.
- Psychogenic factors. These include not only stressful influences during childhood and adolescence, but also the impact on the mother during pregnancy.
Hebephrenia syndrome is rarely observed in organic lesions of the brain due to atrophic processes, tumors and head injuries. There have also been cases of premature dementia in toxic and reactive psychoses, epilepsy.
Signs of hebephrenic syndrome
Hebephrenia syndrome develops suddenly, it is characterized by the appearance of pretentious actions, profanity, euphoria. This mental disorder often occurs in children who are characterized by nervousness, isolation, laziness and other psychopathic personality traits. The classic signs of hebephrenic syndrome are:
- Unproductive euphoria - the state is characterized by an increased background of mood.
- The contraction of facial muscles leads to constant grimacing.
- Motiveless actions - actions that are not associated with impulsive behavior or delusional motives.
Hebephrenic patients are revived whenshowing attention to their person. They begin to demonstrate antisocial actions, mannerisms. Due to hypersexuality, patients are prone to exhibitionism, masturbation. Patients have increased appetite, broken thinking, cheerful mood.
Diagnosis of hebephrenia syndrome
Diagnosis of hebephrenia is based on an objective history (questioning of the patient's relatives) and observation of the patient for a long time. This disorder, which occurs in a mild form, can be confused with psychopathy and neuroses. To correctly diagnose, the patient must be in the hospital for at least 2 months. The disease is characterized by: a cheerful mood, foolishness and fragmented thinking. Sometimes there is a combination of hebephrenic syndrome with signs of catatonia, hallucinations. The combination of these syndromes indicates malignant schizophrenia. To exclude atrophic and oncological pathologies of the brain, EEG, computed and magnetic resonance imaging are performed.
Treatment of hebephrenic syndrome
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of the symptoms of hebephrenia. Treatment is necessary to control the behavior of the patient, as well as to avoid dangerous consequences for the he alth of the patient and others. The main group of drugs used to relieve hebephrenia are antipsychotics. These include medicines "Aminazin", "Risperidone", "Haloperidol". Tranquilizers and Lithium Carbonate are also used for treatment.
Forecast athebephrenic syndrome
Prognosis for hebephrenia syndrome depends on the course of the disease and the severity of symptoms. The established diagnosis of "malignant schizophrenia" is considered an indication for the assignment of the 1st or 2nd disability group. Patients with hebephrenic syndrome require constant care and occasional hospitalization to monitor treatment.
