Suffering from paranoid mental disorders are prone to overvalued ideas, suspiciousness, narrowness of thinking. Their behavior is extremely conflicting, as they are constantly in opposition to fictional enemies and ill-wishers.
Diagnostic features
There are several criteria that distinguish paranoid psychopathy from the character accentuation of the same species. These signs were identified by P. B. Gannushkin and are common for each type of psychopathy: the totality of the external manifestation of character traits, its stability over time and, as a result, serious difficulties in social adaptation.
The totality of character becomes apparent when you observe an exorbitantly high assessment of your person by a patient. Such an assessment stands in all circumstances. He considers all his actions undeniable, and desires and needs must be quickly and unconditionally satisfied. Reassessment may concern not only the sphere of overvaluation of one's ownpersonality, but also all the phenomena that the psychopath encounters. The same can be said about constant suspicion, "over-vigilance", about the vigilant search for enemies, intrigues, persecution.
Inflated self-esteem, characteristic of paranoid development, does not fully exclude an inferiority complex. But at the same time, this complex turns out to be forced out into the unconscious, blocked by overcompensation with inflated self-esteem.
As far as character stability is concerned, it is relative. Usually, over time, there is an increase in paranoid characteristics, a complication of symptoms. It is for this reason that this form of psychopathy has received the name of paranoid development among specialists. However, the transformation of the type of character or the smoothing of negative characteristics, as a rule, does not occur. This is possible only in case of timely drug treatment and a course of therapy.
Symptoms of Paranoid Psychopathy
P. B. Gannushkin noted that as long as the psychopath did not openly quarrel with others, he can be an extremely useful employee. In a certain professional field, the paranoid will work with all perseverance, accuracy and pedantry, without being distracted by extraneous interests and hobbies. In fact, such cases should be classified as character accentuations, and according to Gannushkin, “latent psychopathy.”
K. Leonhard singled out the so-called "stuck" personality type as one of thenorm options. A typical quality of this type is "stuck". First of all, it concerns an emotional affect that can be held for a long period of time. The affect is not outlived and the individual cannot react to it. However, even with success, “stuck” makes itself felt. In this case, it turns into arrogance, narcissism. This type equally carries the possibility of both positive and negative development of the personality. The main driving force behind the paranoid is ambition. They may achieve great success in their careers, but when they hit an obstacle, they become easily embittered, suspicious and vindictive.
Gannushkin believed that the main feature of this type is a tendency to so-called overvalued ideas, the dominant position among which is the idea of a special meaning of one's own "I". Close to this judgment were the ideas of I. Lange that the main feature of this type is "supersensitivity of the Self".
From here, paranoid patients are convinced that everything they do is always right; everything that is said is always true; and what they claim is their unconditional right. It is for this reason that they are rarely inclined to ask for advice. Patients are immune to the most benevolent forms of criticism and never listen to objections. The paranoid is touchy and easily vulnerable. Faced with an objection, he quickly becomes aggressive.
The psychopath and society
The psychopath quickly benefits from the morality accepted in society, various laws and regulations. He refers endlessly to valid moral principles, valid norms. His demagogic references to existing laws are not always overtly rude, but are presented in the light of current circumstances, carefully planned.
Another symptom of paranoid psychopathy is that the patient is able to find in each of his friends the characteristics of a fraudster or an intruder who is watching him. Often people attribute envy to others around them. It seems to them that others want to harm them - even if these others are doctors. Painful symptoms often manifest themselves in obsessions of jealousy, fanatical monologues, incessant complaints. It is quite logical that the relationships of paranoids with others are full of quarrels and misunderstandings.
Provoking factors
Among the psychotraumatic conditions are the features of the social environment, non-recognition of real or imaginary merits, infringement of pride. In these cases, the weak point of the psychopath is involved - his self-esteem. Gannushkin believed that the paranoid development of pathology is a direct consequence of many years of superimposition of minor everyday injuries.
What precedes disease?
Symptoms of this disorder appear in adulthood. Before their appearance, the process of formation of paranoia occurs through the transformation of other types of character accentuation. As for the psychopathies of the paranoid type, psychiatrists have repeatedly pointed to theirresemblance to schizoid, demonstrative and even psychasthenic species. Paranoid disorder can develop against the background of all the types listed above, as well as hyperthymic.
Disease type: excitable psychopathy
Psychopathy is a persistent personality disorder that develops at a fairly early age and lasts almost until the end of life. Any of these pathologies is expressed in a violation of the integrity of the personality, adaptation disorders, complex relationships with the social environment. Another fairly common type of this disorder is paranoid psychopathy of the excitable type. How exactly is this disorder different? Its characteristic feature is uncontrolled outbursts of aggression, actions that are inadequate to the current situation.
Psychopaths suffering from this disorder are very demanding of others, extremely touchy and selfish. The opinion of other people worries them very little; with advanced forms of the disease, patients are not capable of compassion. At the same time, often the patient may be covered by depression, despair. Most often, the excitable type is found among alcohol addicts, drug addicts and socio-pathological elements (thieves, bandits and other offenders). It is among this type that the largest number of offenders, as well as persons who are examined by a forensic medical examination institution.
Features of this type of disease in men
As for male psychopaths, such personalities often turn intogrumpy debaters, starting a conflict for any reason. Psychopathy of the excitable type in men manifests itself in ardor, explosiveness. The patient seeks to prove his case not so much by the arguments of logic, but by the desire to “shout out” his opponent. He is characterized by straightforwardness, rigidity of thinking. A man strives to always present himself as more honest and fair than the people around him. Often, he can enter into a skirmish to protect the interests of third parties, but at the same time quickly switch to his own selfish motives.
If something suddenly interests the patient, then this thing is extremely important. In the event that someone does not agree with him, this person will turn into enemy No. 1. This is another feature of the excitable type of psychopathy in men. How dangerous is such a person? First of all, it is very difficult to live with him. A psychopath constantly has to be “patted on the wool”, and his whole life will have to be sacrificed to his super-valuable ideas. There will always be a large number of "enemies" for the paranoid. When it comes to a married couple, a paranoid husband may forbid his wife to communicate with her mother, sister or brother. All instructions must be followed in the way that seems right to him - for example, waking the child at 5 in the morning or forbidding him to communicate with friends.
Paranoid men are very jealous and constantly look for "signs of infidelity" in their wives. The underlying reason for such ideas is not at all an overestimated self-esteem, but an inner conviction in one's own sexual inferiority orunattractiveness. At first glance, the aggression caused by jealousy should be directed at third parties - more attractive rivals. But this orientation is found only in women. The target of jealous aggression in men is primarily his partner. The psychological background of this phenomenon is not yet fully understood.
Features of pathology in women
It is believed that paranoid psychopathy in women is less aggressive than in men. According to some studies, the disorder begins to manifest itself in the weaker sex as early as the age of eleven. In general, the main signs of female psychopathy are similar to the manifestations of the disease in men. However, unlike men, women are more likely to end up in psychiatric clinics instead of prisons.
Principles of communication with the patient
Often, those people whose relatives or close people suffer from this disease, the question arises: "How to communicate with such a person?" Paranoid psychopathy is a serious disorder. In addition to treatment, a number of rules in communication should be followed with such a patient. Consider the main ones.
Firstly, in the process of communication it is necessary to reduce the expression of aggression on the part of the patient. A psychopath is always unpredictable. Therefore, the person next to him should always be on the alert. Even an innocent joke can cause a fit of anger in such a person.
Secondly, a loved one must be able to divert the attention of a psychopath. If the patient's behavior beginschange in a negative direction, you should divert his attention with books or films, or by talking about your favorite topic.
If there is a threat to he alth or life, you should call for help and run away. After all, a psychopath practically does not feel pain. Do not use force or gas cartridges. In this case, the patient will only get more angry. If a threat arises, you should immediately run away and call other people for help.
Third, you should not come into conflict with a psychopath. It is necessary to behave extremely calmly and benevolently. Also, do not quarrel with other people in front of him. The patient may begin an attack of aggression from other people's screams.
Can pathological development be resisted?
Parents need to remember that social motives in a child are not formed immediately, but for quite a long time, starting from the earliest years. The child should feel a warm attitude towards himself and be aware that a similar reaction is expected from him. Sincere love and affection of close people (mother and father, grandparents, siblings) will help develop the right social motives. If a child shows empathy for other people, this behavior should be encouraged and supported. Only in this case, the chances of pathological development of the personality will decrease.
Paranoid psychopathy: examples of patients
Suffering from this psychopathy include antisocial individuals. These are individuals who are distinguished by cruelty towards other people oranimals, fanatical members of totalitarian sects, recidivist criminals. The categories described will be of interest to those students of psychology or medicine who need to find an example illustrating this disorder. Paranoid psychopathy also affects those who intentionally endanger others. Such people may deliberately not follow safety precautions: for example, leaving electrical wiring exposed, being aware of the consequences this will entail.
Treatment
When the patient's behavior begins to interfere with his social life, it is necessary to prescribe drug therapy. Treatment for paranoid psychopathy may include taking antidepressants to correct bad mood. It can be Prozac, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol and other drugs. Anxiety is stopped with the help of "Phenazepam" or "Mezapam". Depending on individual characteristics, neuroleptics can be prescribed for the treatment of paranoid psychopathy: Tizercin, Sonapax, etc. Medicines are taken only as directed by a doctor. Before using drugs, you should consult with a specialist.
The dosage should be controlled by close people of the patient. This is necessary for the reason that often patients with psychopathy take drugs in doses that they themselves consider necessary. To correct paranoid psychopathy, a course of psychotherapy is prescribed. The most commonly used behavioral therapy isfamily systemic therapy, gest alt approach.
Forecast
Prognosis largely depends on the severity of the disease. If exacerbations occur frequently despite treatment, then, most likely, full social adaptation will not occur.
Adolescents do not show symptoms of paranoid psychopathy. It is known that this symptomatology manifests itself most often by the age of 30-40. It is during this period that the flowering of human social maturity falls. Although in some cases the disease may manifest itself at a younger age - 20-25 years.
If it is an excitable type of pathology, symptoms may appear at an earlier age. The prognosis for excitable psychopathy in adolescents is considered favorable in case of timely treatment. Adolescents, like adults, may be prescribed drugs and psychotherapy. A detailed analysis of the patient's social ties is also necessary in order to exclude interaction with those people who can aggravate his condition.
