One of the most malignant forms of mental disorder is hebephrenic (hebephrenic) schizophrenia. Patients with this pathology are easy to recognize. They constantly grimace and grimace. The disease is characterized by an unfavorable prognosis, since it is difficult to treat. In more detail about its causes and symptoms we will discuss in today's article.
Short description
Since 1871, the history of the disease of schizophrenia is hebephrenic. The form of this particular disorder has been described by Ewald Haecker. Initially, it was considered as a combination of mental disorders, since difficulties arose during differentiation with neurosis or psychopathy. Over the next few years, the borders of hebephrenic schizophrenia remained blurred. Even today, many scientists are of the opinion that this pathology does not occur in its purest form.
Most often, it manifests itself in older teens. The disease is dangerous because with each subsequent attack it is getting closer to the transition to the malignant form of schizophrenia. In this case, the patient may become dangerous to society in the next 1-2 years. If untreated, he is capable of criminal acts, moreover with sexual overtones. Patients without quality treatment in most cases become alcoholics and drug addicts. The combination of such negative factors significantly reduces the life expectancy of a person.
Main reasons
Even today, doctors cannot say for sure why a hebephrenic form of schizophrenia develops. However, most of them are inclined to the version of the genetic and viral nature of the occurrence of pathology. Poor living conditions and a dysfunctional situation in the family are considered as provoking factors. Various disorders of the neurobiological group, traumatic and stressful situations also increase the likelihood of a mental disorder.
Prevalence and predisposition to the disease
The first symptoms of a mental disorder develop as early as adolescence. According to statistics, among residents of large cities this pathology is diagnosed several times more often than in rural areas. In male and female patients, cases of hebephrenic schizophrenia are recorded with almost the same frequency.
Usually, long before the onset of its first symptoms, potential patients experience difficulties in terms of social contacts. They have a low level of intelligence. In some cases, underweight is observed. As they grow older, the patient begins to feel a strong attachment to their parents. However, he neglects communication with strangers.
The initial stage and course of the disorder
Hebephrenic schizophrenia makes itself felt at the age of 14 to about 25 years. Initially, a teenager begins to behave unnaturally, often naughty and grimaces. Parents rarely pay attention to such changes in behavior. Subsequently, such a person with a high degree of probability will suffer from hallucinations and a delusional state.
The formation of a schizophrenic defect takes no more than three years. Gradually, the patient loses his life motivation, becomes apathetic, commits unpredictable acts. The nature of the pathological process is continuous, therefore the so-called bright gaps are absent. However, the probability of an episodic course with alternating periods of remissions and exacerbations remains. But even in this case, the disease will progress. Its outcome is a complete change in the patient's personality. He becomes apathetic and weak-willed, unable to serve himself.
Key symptoms of the disease
This disease is classified as difficult to diagnose. However, a number of clinical signs still allows you to suspect an ailment. What are the symptoms of hebephrenic schizophrenia?
- Sharp mood swings (laughter gives way to depression, isolation).
- A delusional state and hallucinations periodically occur. They are short-term in nature, have virtually no effect on human behavior.
- All actions are characterized by primitiveness, and thinking is maintained at the level of a small child.
- Speech is incoherent and often has no semantic meaning.
- The behavior is visible mannerism.
- The patient can not accept criticism and comments addressed to him.
- In especially serious cases, increased sexual desire is observed.
The hebephrenic form of schizophrenia is also characterized by catatonic symptoms. They are manifested by motor disorders. The catatonic disorders are followed by paranoid, and after them - affective. Everything ends with hebephrenic excitation. The exact sequence of manifestations is very difficult to determine.
Patients' behavior is reminiscent of the play of a bad actor who portrays a small child. They can change their voices, fooling around or showing unnatural emotions. Love for others is quickly replaced by aggression. Patients do not hesitate to expose the body.
Diagnostic Methods
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis requires monitoring the patient for 2-3 months. Many experts in this field are confident that pathology can be determined if there is a triad of the following symptoms:
- the phenomenon of "inaction of thoughts";
- grimacing;
- unproductive euphoria.
If you suspect hebephrenic schizophrenia of the alleged patient, you must show the psychiatrist. At home, it is not possible to correct his behavior or completely cure it. Only a qualified specialist can correct the situation. The final diagnosis is confirmed after prolonged observation of the patient, a series of pathopsychological tests, and a study of his medical history.
Drug therapy
Unfortunately, hebephrenic schizophrenia always shows stability. You can’t get rid of it, but you can slightly alleviate the condition. The disease must be treated in a timely manner, do not hope that this is a temporary clouding of consciousness.
A patient with such a diagnosis must be placed in a hospital where he will be under the supervision of specialists. Due to the high resistance to therapy, high doses of antipsychotics (Clopixolum, Risolept, Azaleptinum) and vitamins are prescribed. The following medications help to soften and somewhat delay the approach of a schizoid defect: Fluanxol, Rispolept, Seroquel. All drugs are selected individually based on the patient’s health status.
Other therapies
During the period of remission, the medical treatment of hebephrenic schizophrenia is not interrupted, but supplemented with psychotherapy. The latter is used to adapt the patient in society. As a rule, various group therapy options are used:
- cognitive-behavioral;
- psychodrama;
- rational-emotional.
In especially serious cases, they resort to family psychotherapy. The doctor invites close relatives of the patient, other patients with similar disorders and disorders to the sessions. So it is much easier for him to adapt to the disease and survive it, while the effectiveness of the treatment is significantly increased.
Short-term therapy most often shows good results at the acute stage. A long-term treatment is necessary for:
- Establishing contact with the outside world (using pantomime, art therapy, simple dialogs).
- Development of communication and behavior skills (dialogue with discussion, modeling scenes from life are applied).
- Corrections of interaction with friends and relatives.
What are the main benefits of family behavioral psychotherapy? This method of treatment helps relatives of the patient to understand how to behave properly. Hebephrenic schizophrenia is a rather serious ailment, which at the same time is a test for loved ones. They may also develop depressive and neurotic disorders over time. With a standard course of psychotherapy, they more easily perceive the disease and build relationships in the family.
Forecast
You must understand how dangerous hebephrenic schizophrenia is. If timely measures are not taken and treatment is not started, the patient will be dangerous for himself and others. Very quickly, he will cease to control his own actions, will do everything that comes to mind. In such a situation, immediate hospitalization in a psychiatric clinic is already required.