In psychological disciplines there are a huge number of such terms that at first seem to an ordinary person completely mysterious and incomprehensible to perception. But, having examined them more closely or simply opening the dictionary of psychological definitions, you can understand: there is nothing complicated or confused in them. Many, for example, ask themselves the question: "Idiosyncrasy - what is it?"
What does this word mean
Behind the apparent complexity, however, there is nothing tricky. This definition simply means any object or phenomenon to which a person has an aggravated reaction of irritation or fear. Idiosyncrasy in psychology is like an allergic reaction in medicine. Indeed, for other people who do not feel fear of a certain phenomenon, this object of the outside world will be completely normal.
Idiosyncrasy, what it is, and what consequences it can carry for everyday life - all this is considered in the course of general psychology or psychotherapy in higher education. However, with the development of the Internet, this knowledge has ceased to be the secret property of the psychological community. Now everyone can openly find information of interest to him.
Idiosyncrasy in pharmacology, as indicated, means an allergic reaction to a substance. Often this reaction is inherited from previous generations.
Other people intolerance
Probably almost everyone recognizes himself in such a situation: at work, among friends, or in any other team, a person appears who, for unknown reasons, begins to cause irritation. He does nothing wrong. But for some reason, his very manner of behavior and appearance cannot but provoke anger.
It must be remembered that if this person does nothing wrong, his emotions must be controlled. People should not be slaves to either their instincts or phobias. And even more because of these reactions it is impossible to poison the life of another person. If possible, it is better to avoid communication and any contact.
If the usual methods of self-control do not help, you do not need to dissolve your emotions. In extreme cases, you can contact a specialist psychologist. Then the treatment will be similar to that prescribed with ordinary phobias. Of course, if this is not possible, you need to work independently to reduce your own anxiety level. Meditative techniques, techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy, sports, massage can help with this.
Idiosyncrasy: Examples
This phenomenon is clearly demonstrated by the fear of General Suvorov in front of ... mirrors. Everywhere, wherever he went, the mirrors were hung with a cloth or removed altogether. Otherwise, one could fall out of favor with the military leader and experience the full power of his anger.
Another example of idiosyncrasy is the irritation experienced by the brilliant poet Joseph Brodsky in front of those people who dared to sing poems in his presence. For some reason, the verses that were chanted aroused unprecedented anger in the poet. There is a legend according to which Brodsky once hit a man on the back of his head with a guitar who sang a song with words from a poem.
Another example is the panic fear that Napoleon had before white horses. He rode only on the horses that were brought from the distant Arab Emirates - they were gray in color and did not cause attacks of fear in the commander.
What to do with this inconvenience?
Of course, the only way out in this case is to eliminate any possibility of contact with the discomfort causing the discomfort. If fear causes a certain object of the external world, then it will not be difficult to equip your life so that it has no place in it.
Things are more complicated when such a reaction is caused by a person - for example, a relative, or a work colleague. Then you have to either endure this irritant - which, most likely, can extremely negatively affect your health and psycho-emotional state - or change your environment.
The power of self-control
Idiosyncrasy - what is it for those who have developed the ability to control themselves? Rather, the factor that is among the things over which a person has gained power. However, do not forget that every time this authority will have to be confirmed. This is not the easiest process, and most likely it will happen gradually. Will, like muscle, can be trained and built up. Self-management training should begin gradually, with small situations that cause irritation. Having managed to overcome himself once, it is necessary to try to gain the upper hand over the raging emotions and the next. Otherwise, there will be no sense from these exercises.
This approach is not for wimps. To be able to control yourself, you need to have a well-developed will in other areas of life. If this quality is poorly expressed - it is also necessary at any opportunity to train it.
"Idiosyncrasy" - how is this word used correctly in Russian?
An important question is the correct use of this term. "Idiosyncrasy" - what is this word in written and spoken language? A few simple rules are associated with its use. Using them, you can avoid blunders. Several rules will help to correctly use the word "idiosyncrasy" in your speech. Stress, for example, is placed on the last letter “and”. And also you need to remember the rules for using the preposition with this word. Linguists warn: you need to say "allergy to ...", but "idiosyncrasy to ...". Such use will not allow to expose a person who wants to show off a word from a scientific vocabulary in an awkward light.
So, despite the apparent exoticism of this word, it denotes a fairly common phenomenon. As with any phobia, idiosyncrasy must be fought, or the stimuli that cause it must be avoided.