All people are exposed to stressful situations on a daily basis for a variety of reasons. In some, the body can withstand the frantic pace of life without serious consequences. The psyche of others is forced to experience tremendous stress. Very often she does not cope with them. In this case, they talk about the development of a disease called "psychasthenia". This is a pathological condition characterized by excessive introspection. Subject to him, people make excessive demands on themselves. They are very self-critical and may have low self-esteem.
Main causes of disorder
Psychasthenia is rightfully recognized as a disease of the XXI century. An increasing number of people in large cities are suffering from personality changes. They constantly check, double-check their actions and cannot find the strength to change something drastically.
The exact causes of the disorder are unknown. Doctors suggest that under the influence of certain factors, the pathological process is born and begins to actively develop. These include:
- Stress. Almost every modern person is subjected to unrest andexperiences. The need to work hard, be successful and meet certain standards - all these are difficult tests for the psyche. Without quality rest, exhaustion of the nervous system occurs over time. It ceases to perform its primary functions.
- Lack of sleep. Good rest is the key to good work of the central nervous system. Chronic lack of sleep for several months can cause a decrease in immunity, disruption of the brain.
- Inactivity. Lack of physical activity entails many problems, including with the work of the body.
- Drinking alcohol and smoking. Chronic intoxication of the nervous system leads to its pathology.
- Diseases of the endocrine system and central nervous system.
- Unfavorable ecological situation. Polluted air and water, poor quality food worsen human he alth.
The above factors are not uncommon. Their impact can be observed in all developed countries. However, only a small percentage of people are diagnosed with psychasthenia. This is due to the second component of the pathological process - the personal characteristics of the patient.
Clinical picture
On the way to achieving the goal, psychasthenics are most afraid of defeat. Therefore, they do not commit rash or spontaneous acts. On the other hand, the psychasthenic personality type is characterized by indecisiveness in decision-making, pronounced pedantry. Before starting any action, such people carefully think over the plan, and then strictly follow it. If any extern althe factor breaks it, they get lost and may retreat from it altogether.
Most of the psychasthenics are well-read and educated people. Despite their intellectual savvy, they do not like publicity. When a speech in front of an audience is required, they can completely forget the information, even owning it in full. These people have a hard time making decisions. Therefore, they often seek support and help.
Symptoms of psychasthenia include selectivity in choosing friends. The social circle is quite limited. They interact exclusively with people who have been proven over the years. Outsiders are treated with distrust and do not like to communicate for fear of being misunderstood.
Punctuality and pedantry are characteristic of the disorder. These qualities often annoy others. However, they are compensated by diligence and reliability. This is used by colleagues who burden psychasthenics with their problems.
Such individuals are distinguished by increased concern for their own he alth. To some extent, they can be considered hypochondriacs. Over time, this kind of suspiciousness degenerates into reactive depression.
How do psychasthenics think?
Today, almost all medical reference books contain detailed information about what constitutes a disease of psychasthenia. A personality type diagnostic test is often attached to his description. With it, anyone can determine the likelihood of developing this disorder. What else is interesting about it?
Thinking of patients with this diagnosis is oftenstriking in its logic. They are highly prone to doubt, so they carefully approach problem solving. Always compare the positive and negative sides of the issue, putting an incredible amount of effort. It would seem that the logical answer is obvious and lies on the surface. However, internal uncertainty does not allow him to see.
Long reflections are almost never used in practice. Psychasthenics are always smart and highly educated people. They are afraid of criticism from society, so they rarely speak in public. There are no politicians or public figures among them.
On the other hand, one should not expect rash or impromptu actions. Due to the characteristics of the disease, such people imagine their actions in advance.
Psychasthenic personality type is characterized by a desire for continuous development. However, even positive dynamics does not give satisfaction. After reaching the appointed goal, such people begin to search again for that ideal, in comparison with which they feel worthless. This can go on for a lifetime.
Varieties of disorder
There is no official division of the disease into categories. However, in medical practice it is customary to differentiate it into the following subspecies: anxious (avoidant) and anancaste (obsessive-compulsive) personality disorder. Each of them has certain differences.
In an anancaste personality disorder, people have intrusive thoughts. They constantly think if they turned offiron from the socket, whether the door was closed. On the other hand, they show unprecedented friendliness towards relatives. When interacting with strangers, they prefer to behave modestly and unemotionally. Such individuals show a tendency to various phobias. The development of the latter can occur for absolutely any reason.
With anxiety disorder, there is a fear of criticism from outsiders. Patients with this form of the diagnosis of "psychasthenia" must be constantly encouraged and consoled. In no case should you criticize or blame. Otherwise, constant introspection can turn into a real depression.
Features of the disorder in children
Symptoms of psychasthenia are usually detected in childhood. To be more precise, at the beginning of schooling. In elementary grades, there are problems with mechanical memory, which necessarily affects the ability to assimilate educational material. Such children constantly double-check the work done, so they lag behind their peers. In public speaking, they are very sensitive to the assessment of others.
At an older age, developed analytical skills help to achieve the desired result. Such children manage to perfectly understand the material, logically generalize new information. Intellectual talent makes itself felt already in adulthood.
Psychasthenia in children develops rather slowly. However, caring parents may notice certain difficulties in establishing contact with classmates, especially with the opposite sex. Such children try to choose for communication only those peoplewho cannot bring them suffering.
Diagnostic Methods
Most often, relatives of the patient or his close friends turn with suspicions of psychasthenia. To clarify the preliminary diagnosis, the doctor must first ask a number of clarifying questions. It is important for him to know how long ago the symptoms of the disorder appeared, which served as an impetus for the exhaustion of the nervous system.
After that, they proceed to instrumental diagnostic methods. Routine blood and urine tests are given to all patients because they allow an assessment of the functioning of the body as a whole. Additionally, examination of the kidneys, endocrine system and metabolic processes may be required.
Instrumental diagnostics allows you to confirm the assumptions of a specialist or clarify some points. Among the methods used today, the following are especially relevant:
- ECG.
- Thyroid ultrasound.
- Ultrasound of cerebral vessels.
Psychasthenia is a complex disease. Its clinical picture is in many ways similar to other pathologies. Therefore, in the process of examination, it is rarely possible to do without differential diagnosis. It is carried out with other personality manifestations that may accompany schizophrenia and neurasthenia.
Recommended treatment
Psychasthenia is a serious disease that requires competent therapy. However, it is not possible to completely cure it. This disease usually accompanies a person until death. Atan appropriate approach manages to stop his symptoms, thereby making life easier for the patient.
Methods of therapeutic effects can be varied. Most often resort to the help of drugs and physiotherapy. In especially serious cases, psychotherapy sessions can not be dispensed with. More details about these techniques will be discussed below.
Regardless of the chosen course of treatment, any doctor will first advise the patient to reconsider his lifestyle. It is necessary to devote more time to rest, to plan sleep time correctly. It is better not to abuse physical and emotional stress. A good option would be to sign up for a gym or massage. This approach allows not only to relieve accumulated stress, but also to prevent the emergence of a new one.
Medication use
Medications used in the fight against the disease, help to eliminate signs of anxiety, suspicion and mood swings. Some of them help prevent the development of phobias, which often haunt patients with a diagnosis of "psychasthenia". Drug treatment involves the appointment of the following groups of drugs:
- Vitamins and adaptogens. Their long-term use contributes to replenishing the deficiency of neurotransmitters, restoring the body as a whole.
- Sedatives. Treatment begins with the intake of herbal preparations. If there is no effect, therapy is supplemented with more complex drugs.
- Sleeping pills ("Donormil", "Barbital", "Melaxen"). Medicines from this group are allowed to useonly on prescription and under his constant supervision.
- Antidepressants (Aminalon, Sertraline, Fluoxetine).
- Neuroleptics ("Propazin", "Azaleptin"). It is necessary to resort to the help of these drugs in the most severe cases. The dosage and duration of treatment are determined strictly by the doctor.
For the speedy recovery of the nervous system, it is additionally recommended to take vitamin complexes. They help to improve adaptation processes, prevent the development of complications.
Physiotherapeutic effect
Treatment of psychasthenia is impossible to imagine without physiotherapy. This is a series of completely safe and effective procedures. They not only enhance the effect of drugs on the body, but also support the main therapy.
- Electrical stimulation. This procedure involves the impact of electric current on certain areas of the body.
- Electrophoresis. It is used for deeper penetration of medicines into the layers of the skin. As a result, the body's need for the drug is reduced, and the duration of its therapeutic effect is increased.
- Electro sleep. Provides a calming effect. This procedure is prescribed for patients suffering from chronic fatigue and mental overload.
The listed procedures are characterized by high efficiency. However, they should be used only after consulting with your doctor.
Psychotherapy
Different types of psychotherapyalso used to treat psychasthenia. Through regular sessions, the patient begins to accept himself. Gradually, he develops the skills of successful socialization. Such treatment allows you to find your place in life, and use personal characteristics for the benefit of self-improvement. The specific type of psychotherapy is selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. The best results are given by sessions conducted simultaneously with the course of medical intervention.
Prognosis for recovery
Treatment of psychasthenia is a long process. Unfortunately, it is not possible to overcome this disease forever. The proposed methods of therapeutic influence can only correct its symptoms, improve the patient's worldview. Comprehensive treatment helps to bring the psychasthenic to the level of a practically he althy person. Its absence can lead to disastrous consequences.
Disorder quite often develops into all sorts of obsessive states. At the same time, psychasthenics begin to abandon new types of activities and initiatives. They live either in the past or in a fictional future. Over time, such an existence is complicated by causeless anxiety, anxiety. There is distrust of others, skepticism. Neurasthenia and psychasthenia are borderline conditions. The consequences of such violations can be sexual disorders, alcoholism, prolonged depression.
