Suffering from a paranoid psychic disorder are prone to overvalued ideas, suspicion, narrow thinking. Their behavior is extremely conflicted, since they are constantly in opposition to fictional enemies and ill-wishers.
Diagnostic Features
There are several criteria that distinguish paranoid psychopathy from an accentuation of the nature of the same species. These signs were identified by P. B. Gannushkin and are common to 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 observing the exorbitantly high score of his person to the sick. Such an assessment appears in all circumstances. He considers all his actions to be undeniable, and desires and needs must be quickly and unconditionally satisfied. Reappraisal can concern not only the sphere of super-value of one's own personality, but also all the phenomena that a psychopath faces. The same can be said about constant suspicion, "over-vigilance", about the vigilant search for enemies, intrigues, and persecution.
The overestimated self-esteem inherent in paranoid development does not completely exclude the inferiority complex. But at the same time, this complex turns out to be squeezed out into the unconscious, blocked by hypercompensation with overvalued self-esteem.
Regarding the stability of character, 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, character type transformations or smoothing of negative characteristics, as a rule, do not occur. This is only possible in case of timely medical treatment and the passage of a course of therapy.
Symptoms of paranoid psychopathy
P. B. Gannushkin noticed that until the psychopath began to openly quarrel with others, he could be an extremely helpful collaborator. 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 accentuations of character, and according to Gannushkin - “latent psychopathies”.
K. Leonhard singled out the so-called "stuck" type of personality as one of the variants of the norm. A typical quality of this type is “stuck”. First of all, it relates to emotional affect, which can be held for a long period of time. Affect does not get rid of 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 personality development. The main driving force of paranoid people is ambition. They can achieve great success in their careers, but when they encounter an obstacle, they are easily embittered, become suspicious and vengeful.
Gannushkin believed that the main feature of this type is the tendency to the so-called overvalued ideas, the dominant among which is the idea of the special meaning of the self. Close to this judgment were the ideas of I. Lange that the main feature of this type is "hypersensitivity of the Self."
Hence, in paranoid patients, a conviction arises 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. Encountering an objection, he very quickly begins to show aggression.
Psychopath and society
The psychopath quickly benefits from morality in society, various laws and regulations. He endlessly refers to existing moral principles, applicable standards. His demagogic references to existing laws are not always frankly rude, but are presented in the light of current circumstances and are carefully planned.
Another symptom of paranoid psychopathy is that the patient is able in each of his friends to find the characteristics of a fraudster or an attacker watching him. Often people attribute to others envy of themselves. It seems to them that those around them want to harm them - even if these people around are doctors. Painful symptoms often manifest in obsessions of jealousy, fanatical monologues, incessant complaints. It is logical that the paranoid relationship with others is full of quarrels and misunderstandings.
Provocative factors
Among the traumatic conditions distinguish 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 the long-term layering of small everyday injuries on each other.
What precedes the disease?
Symptoms of this disorder manifest in adulthood. Before they appear, the process of the formation of paranoia occurs through the conversion of other types of character accentuation . As for paranoid type psychopathies, psychiatrists have repeatedly pointed out their similarity with schizoid, demonstrative, and even psychasthenic types. Paranoid disorder can develop against the background of all the types listed above, as well as hyperthymic.
Variety of the disease: 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 does this disorder differ? Its characteristic feature is uncontrolled outbreaks of aggression, actions that are inadequate to the current situation.
Psychopaths suffering from this violation are very demanding of others, extremely touchy and selfish. The opinions of other people concern them very little, with advanced forms of the disease, patients are not capable of compassion. At the same time, depression and despair can often cover the patient. 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 falling for examination at the forensic medical institution.
Features of this type of disease in men
As for male psychopaths, such personalities often turn into grumpy debaters, starting a conflict for any reason. Excitable psychopathy in men is manifested in ardor, explosiveness. The patient seeks to prove his innocence not so much by the arguments of logic, but by the desire to "shout out" his opponent. It is characterized by straightforwardness, rigidity of thinking. A man always strives to present himself as more honest and fair than the people around him. Often he can engage in a skirmish in order to protect the interests of third parties, but at the same time quickly switch to his 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 excitable psychopathy in men. Why is such a person dangerous? First of all, it is very difficult to live with him. The psychopath constantly has to be "stroked by the hair", and his whole life will have to be sacrificed to his overvalued ideas. For the paranoid, there will always be a large number of “enemies”. When it comes to a married couple, a paranoid husband may prohibit his wife from communicating with her mother, sister or brother. All instructions should be followed as it seems right to him - for example, to wake a child at 5 in the morning or forbid him to communicate with friends.
Paranoid men are very jealous and constantly seek out “signs of infidelity” from their wives. The background of such ideas is not at all overstated self-esteem, but an internal belief in one's own sexual inferiority or unattractiveness. At first glance, aggression caused by jealousy should be directed at third parties - more attractive rivals. But a similar orientation is found only in women. The target of jealous aggression in men is primarily his partner. The psychological background of this phenomenon has not yet been fully studied.
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 in the weaker sex from 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 often find themselves not in prisons, but in psychiatric clinics.
Principles of communication with the patient
Often in 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, with such a patient should adhere to a number of rules in communication. 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. The psychopath is always unpredictable. Therefore, the person next to him should always be on the alert. Even an innocent joke can provoke a fit of anger in such a person.
Secondly, a loved one should be able to distract the attention of a psychopath. If the patient's behavior begins to change in a negative direction, you should divert his attention with books or films or by talking on your favorite topic.
If there is a threat to health or life, you should call for help and escape. After all, the psychopath practically does not feel pain. Use force or gas cartridges is not worth it. In this case, the patient will only get angry. If a threat occurs, you should immediately run away and call for other people to help.
Thirdly, you should not come into conflict with a psychopath. It is necessary to behave extremely calmly and benevolently. Also, do not quarrel with him with other people. The patient may begin an attack of aggression from other people's screams.
Can pathological development be resisted?
Parents need to remember that the child’s social motives are not formed immediately, but for a fairly long time starting from the earliest years. A child should feel a warm attitude and be aware that a similar reaction is expected from him. Sincere love and affection of loved ones (mother and father, grandparents, siblings) will help develop the right social motives. If a child shows empathy for other people, such 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
Those suffering from this psychopathy include antisocial personalities. These are individuals characterized by cruelty towards other people or animals, fanatically inclined members of totalitarian sects, and repeat offenders. The described categories will be of interest to those psychology students or doctors who need to find an example to illustrate this disorder. Those who intentionally endanger others also suffer from paranoid psychopathy. Such people may not specifically observe safety precautions: for example, leave bare electrical wiring, being aware of what consequences this will entail.
Treatment
When the patient's behavior begins to prevent him from being in society, it is necessary to prescribe drug therapy. Treatment for paranoid psychopathy may include taking antidepressants to correct a bad mood. This may be Prozac, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol and other medicines. Anxiety is stopped with Phenazepam or Mezapam. Depending on individual characteristics, antipsychotics can be prescribed for the treatment of paranoid psychopathy: Tizercin, Sonapax, etc. Medications are taken only as prescribed by the doctor. Before using drugs, you should consult a specialist.
Dosage should be controlled by close people of the patient. This is necessary for the reason that often patients with psychopathy take medications in those doses that they themselves consider necessary. To correct paranoid psychopathy, a course of psychotherapy is prescribed. The most commonly used behavioral-behavioral therapy, the direction of family systemic therapy, the gestalt approach.
Forecast
The prognosis largely depends on the severity of the disease. If exacerbations occur frequently, despite treatment, then most likely complete social adaptation will not occur.
Among adolescents, symptoms of paranoid psychopathy are not observed. It is known that this symptomatology manifests itself most often by the age of 30-40. It is during this period that the heyday of human social maturity falls. Although in some cases, the disease can manifest itself at a younger age - 20-25 years.
If we are talking about pathology of the excitable type, the symptoms can manifest itself at an earlier age. The prognosis for excitable psychopathy in adolescents is considered favorable in case of timely treatment. Adolescents, like adults, can be prescribed medications and psychotherapy. A detailed analysis of the patient’s social connections is also necessary to exclude interaction with those people who may aggravate his condition.