The German psychotherapist C. Leonhard is convinced that most people have many character traits that are pointed. One has only to create certain conditions, and nervous breakdowns or similar conflicts can arise.
Accentuation of personality is the hypertrophied development of some character traits against the background of others, which leads to a disruption in relationships with others. In the presence of such a symptom, an individual begins to manifest excessive sensitivity to some factors that cause a stressful state. This is despite the fact that relative stability is observed for the others.
The accentuation can be expressed so much that its symptoms will be barely noticeable to close people, but its level of manifestation may be such that doctors may think about making a diagnosis such as psychopathy. But the latter disease is characterized by constant manifestations and regular relapses. A character accentuation can smooth out over time and become close to a normal state.
As practice shows, this symptom is most often found in adolescents and youths (in about 70% of cases). The accentuation of personality is not always manifested clearly, therefore it can be determined using specially designed psychological tests. During their conduct, people can behave in a specific way, and it is important for the doctor to be able to anticipate such a reaction.
These types of personality are distinguished in psychology, which depend on the degree of manifestation of accentuation:
- The hypertensive type is characterized by high spirits, increased talkativeness, and contact. People with this form of the disease, as a rule, very often lose the original thread of the conversation, do not respond to comments made, and deny all kinds of punishments. They are very energetic, agile, non-self-critical, love unreasonable risk.
- The accentuation of personality can be of a dimistic type, which is the exact opposite of the previous one. A representative of this species is constantly in a depressed state, is sad and is a closed person. He is burdened by a noisy society, he does not come close with employees, does not like communication. If it becomes a participant in conflicts (which is extremely rare), then it acts as a passive side in them.
- The cycloid type is characterized by frequent mood swings. If it is elevated, a person actively communicates, which becomes similar to a representative of the hyperthymic type. If a person is in a more depressed state, his behavioral reactions resemble people of a dysthymic type.
- Emotional type (emotional). The accentuation of personality in this case is manifested by excessive sensitivity of character, vulnerability. A person begins to deeply experience even minimal troubles, is very sensitive to remarks and criticism, sensitive if he is unsuccessful, therefore he often dwells in a dull mood.
- The demonstrative type is always in the spotlight and achieves the goal at all costs.
- A person of an excitable type is often unrestrained, quick-tempered, prone to rudeness and too conflict.
- Stuck type. Representatives are fixated on their feelings and emotions, in conflicts they play the role of the active side, they are prone to protracted disputes.
- The pedantic type is characterized by "tediousness" in everything, from everyday life to professional activity.
- People of an alarming type fear for themselves and for those around them, are not confident in themselves, and are hard-pressed for defeat.
- An exalted type is characterized by mood variability, vivid emotions and talkativeness.
- Schizoid accentuation of personality, as a rule, manifests itself in isolation, self-absorption, restraint and coldness in communication.
- The last type in this classification - extroverted - is characterized by an increased degree of talkativeness, lack of personal opinion, disorganization, and also lack of independence.