SIGNS OF MENTAL DISORDERS (WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR)

Accompanying signs of the disease are: fear of self-worth, an oppressive feeling of emptiness (arising from difficulty in self-identification: what are my values, what do I believe in, what gives me pleasure), self-inflicted bodily wounds and dangerous behavioral patterns.

Psychological and mental testing

Tests are part of psychological and psychiatric diagnostics.
They help clarify important aspects of the mental state and understand a person’s personality. Tests are an aid in making a diagnosis. The presented tests were developed by specialists based on the clinical observations of the authors and are widely used in medical practice. At the same time, it is not recommended to diagnose yourself based on the results of psychodiagnostic tests. The tests have diagnostic value when administered by a psychiatrist or psychologist in conjunction with the assessment of a variety of other physiological and mental parameters.

But, if you are concerned about your own mental health, taking a test will not be a bad idea. Questionnaires usually include the main symptoms or complaints. By taking the test, you will be able to look inside yourself, ask the right questions, and analyze the emotions and sensations in the answers. The main advantage of the tests is their versatility and ease of use. And for additional detailed consultation and psychological help, it is better to contact a specialist.

Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder

The diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is recognized as extremely difficult to choose a treatment method. Psychotherapy is considered the main therapeutic treatment approach for BPD.

The main difficulty is establishing a correct patient-psychotherapist relationship. For the patient, due to the symptoms of the disorder and the tendency to enter into unstable, tense relationships, having behavioral extremes and mood swings, it is extremely difficult to establish relationships and maintain them within certain limits. There are often cases when psychotherapists themselves do not undertake to work with such a disorder, protecting themselves from possible problematic situations.

As a treatment option, third wave psychotherapy is used - dialectical behavior therapy, the fundamental principle of which is the patients’ awareness of the variability in the perception of the situation. It is an eclectic approach that uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, effective communication techniques and meditation. Pharmacotherapy can also offer several second-generation drugs that are effective in stopping impulsivity and outbursts of uncontrollable anger.

Test for schizophrenia

Diagnosing schizophrenia is far from simple. The diagnosis is made exclusively by specialists based on a combination of many factors. At the same time, there are a number of symptoms that occur in most patients with schizophrenia and are almost never found in other mental diseases. Back in the 30s of the last century, German psychiatrist Kurt Schneider identified 5 groups of symptoms of schizophrenia that are characteristic of this disease and called them “Symptoms of the 1st rank.” Numerous further studies showed that he was right in the sense that similar symptoms are diagnosed in 80% of patients suffering from schizophrenia. Therefore, they subsequently entered the official diagnostic criteria for the classification of mental disorders. The proposed test contains a description of symptoms that often occur in patients with schizophrenia (including symptoms of the 1st rank according to K. Schneider) and very rarely in other mental disorders.

Any mental disorder, even a relatively mild one, reduces the quality of life much more than many diseases of the body. Simple insomnia ultimately makes a person suffer more than, for example, gastritis. And it would seem that everyone whose psyche is suffering should run to the doctor as soon as possible and ask him for treatment. But in reality this does not happen. Chief Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Felix Banshchikov talks about the misconceptions and fears that prevent you from receiving qualified psychiatrist help even when it is vitally necessary.

SIGNS OF MENTAL DISORDERS (WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR)

The signs of mental disorders, as well as the frequency of their occurrence, have been a common issue of concern to the population in recent years. This is especially true due to the fact that the pace of life is steadily growing, while the resources of the human nervous system remain at the same level. Very often, mental disorders develop gradually, step by step, introducing features into the human psyche that were previously not characteristic of him; accordingly, there is a good chance of noticing them in time and providing proper medical care.

According to the latest data, mental disorders are detected in 25-30% of the population, that is, in every fourth person in the world. However, it is noteworthy that 75-80% suffer from non-psychotic, mild mental disorders. Serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia occur in 6-17% of cases. Alcoholism - 60%.

It must be remembered that a mental disorder is not a death sentence, since with sufficient and timely treatment from a specialist, as well as a responsible attitude and attentiveness to one’s condition, the symptoms of mental disorders can be stopped (and often the disorder itself can be completely cured), which will help maintain the same social, professional status and level of quality of life.

SIGNS

Asthenic syndrome.

This condition can accompany any mental disorder and many somatic diseases. Asthenia is expressed in weakness, low performance, mood swings, and increased sensitivity. A person begins to cry easily, becomes instantly irritated and loses self-control. Asthenia is often accompanied by sleep disturbances, a feeling of weakness, increased fatigue, and an inability to cope with the previously habitual workload or study.

Obsessive states.

The wide range of obsessions includes many manifestations: from constant doubts, unpleasant thoughts “stuck, spinning in the head,” fears that a person is not able to cope with, to an irresistible desire for cleanliness or performing certain, unusual actions. Under the power of an obsessive state, a person may return home several times to check whether he has turned off the iron, gas, water, or whether he has locked the door. An obsessive fear of an accident may force the patient to perform certain rituals, which, according to the sufferer, can ward off trouble. If you notice that your friend or relative washes their hands for hours, has become overly squeamish and is always afraid of getting infected with something, this is also an obsession. The desire to avoid stepping on cracks in asphalt, tile joints, avoiding certain types of transport or people wearing clothes of a certain color or type is also an obsessive state.

Mood changes.

It is especially important to pay attention not so much to short-term changes under the influence of momentary factors, but rather to changes in mood that were previously not characteristic of a person, long-term, from 2 weeks or more.

• Melancholy, depression, desire for self-recrimination, talk about one’s own worthlessness, sinfulness, death, lack of future, hope for the best, etc.
• Unnatural frivolity, carelessness.
• Foolishness, not typical of age and character.
• A euphoric state, optimism that has no basis.
• Apathy, a painful feeling of lack of emotions.
• Fussiness, talkativeness, inability to concentrate, chaotic thinking.
• Irritability, anger, aggressiveness
• Inability to contain emotions, tearfulness, slight breakdowns in shouting in conversation
• Increased sexuality, extinction of natural shyness, inability to restrain sexual desires or, conversely, loss of libido, lack of morning erection in men

Unusual sensations in the body.

Tingling, burning sensations in the skin, burning sensations, “twisting” pressure in the body, moving “something inside”, “rustling in the head”, the presence of foreign objects in the body - can signal disorders in the nervous system.

Hypochondria.

It is expressed in an obsessive, obsessive search for serious diseases and disorders, a painful “listening” to the slightest changes in the state of one’s body. At the same time, the patient often does not trust doctors, demands repeated and more in-depth studies, is completely concentrated on searching for serious illnesses, and demands to be treated as a patient.

Appetite disorders.

It is important to pay attention to both a sudden increase in appetite—“ravenous appetite”—and its sharp decrease and distortion of taste preferences. The reason may be either a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, or a general depression of the state, or a morbid conviction of excessive fatness in the absence of it. It is also important if previously tasty food has lost its taste, has become bland, tasteless, “like cardboard.”

Illusions

There is no need to confuse illusions and hallucinations. Illusions force a person to perceive real objects and phenomena in a distorted form, while with hallucinations a person perceives something that does not really exist.

Examples of illusions:

• the pattern on the wallpaper seems to be a tangle of snakes or worms;
• the size of objects is perceived in a distorted form;
• the patter of raindrops on the windowsill seems like the careful steps of someone scary;
• the shadows of the trees turn into terrible creatures creeping up with frightening intentions, etc.

Hallucinations

If outsiders may not be aware of the presence of illusions, then the susceptibility to hallucinations may manifest itself more noticeably. Hallucinations can affect all senses, that is, be visual and auditory, tactile and gustatory, olfactory and general, and also be combined in any combination. To the patient, everything he sees, hears and feels seems completely real. He may not believe that those around him do not feel, hear, or see all this. He may perceive their bewilderment as a conspiracy, deception, mockery, and become annoyed that he is not understood.

• With auditory hallucinations, a person hears various kinds of noise, fragments of words or coherent phrases. “Voices” can give commands or comment on the patient’s every action, laugh at him or discuss his thoughts.
• Gustatory and olfactory hallucinations often cause the sensation of an unpleasant property: a disgusting taste or smell.
• With tactile hallucinations, the patient thinks that someone is biting, touching, strangling him, that insects are crawling on him, that some creatures are inserting themselves into his body and moving there or eating the body from the inside.
• Externally, susceptibility to hallucinations is expressed in conversations with an invisible interlocutor, sudden laughter or constant intense listening to something. The patient may constantly shake something off himself, scream, look around himself with a worried look, or ask others if they see something on his body or in the surrounding space.

Changes in thinking

Previously, the overestimation of one’s own capabilities or abilities, the conviction of one’s own exclusivity, a passion for esotericism, magic, and a sudden belief in the supernatural were not typical. The pace of thoughts in your head can also change, either becoming uncomfortably slow or so fast that it is sometimes very difficult to concentrate on one thought.

Crazy thoughts.

Delusional states often accompany psychosis. Delusion is based on erroneous judgments, and the patient stubbornly maintains his false belief, even if there are obvious contradictions with reality. Delusional ideas acquire significance that determines all behavior. Delusional disorders can be expressed in erotic form, or in conviction of one's great mission, in descent from a noble family or aliens. The patient may feel that someone is trying to kill or poison him, rob or kidnap him. Sometimes the development of a delusional state is preceded by a feeling of unreality of the surrounding world or one’s own personality.

Desocialization.

There are people who are unsociable and unsociable due to their character. This is normal and should not raise suspicions of mental disorders. But if a born cheerful person, the life of the party, a family man and a good friend suddenly begins to destroy social ties, becomes unsociable, shows coldness towards those who were recently dear to him - this is a reason to worry about his mental health. A person becomes sloppy, stops taking care of himself, may quit his job without a good reason, abandon his career, previous goals and interests, and in society may begin to behave shockingly - commit acts that are considered indecent and unacceptable.

Hoarding or excessive generosity

Yes, any collector can be under suspicion. Especially in cases where collecting becomes an obsession and subjugates a person’s entire life. This can be expressed in the desire to drag things found in garbage dumps into the house, hoard food without paying attention to expiration dates, or pick up stray animals in quantities that exceed the ability to provide them with normal care and proper maintenance.

The desire to give away all your property and excessive spending can also be regarded as a suspicious symptom. Especially in the case when a person has not previously been distinguished by generosity or altruism. Particular attention should be paid to this condition, especially when a person suddenly begins to actively visit banks and apply for loans.

Beck Depression Inventory

As the name suggests, this test assesses how susceptible you are to depression. It takes into account common symptoms and complaints of patients with this disease. When answering each question, you have to choose the closest one from several statements.

Even those who are absolutely sure that they are healthy should take the test. Some statements from the questionnaire will seem strange to you, but many of them are true for a person with a disease. So if you think that depression is when someone is depressed from idleness, it's time to rethink your attitude.

Take the test →

Causes of BPD

The underlying causes of borderline disorder are not clearly defined at this time, however, like most other disorders, BPD is caused by a group of factors.

Hereditary (genetic determination), physiological (impaired brain function) and social factors (low resistance to stress and psychological traumatic factors).

Unfavorable social environment

According to statistics, groups of people exposed to an unfavorable social environment, for example in the family, are more often susceptible to the disease. This may include:

• difficult childhood
• abuse,
• tyranny
• physical or emotional violence in the family,
• early loss of parents.

It is worth noting that among women “borderline” is 3 times more common than among men.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

, as a variation of an unfavorable social factor, can act not only as a cause, but also as a concomitant separate disease that is in a pathogenetic relationship with the diagnosis in question.

Chronic childhood emotional trauma may contribute to the development of BPD, but in rare cases it is the sole cause. Personal qualities responsible for the ability to cope with a stressful situation in this aspect also play a big role. It is worth noting here that, according to statistics, trauma received in childhood (especially before the age of 10) is much more likely to lead to subsequent disorder than that received in adulthood. Scientists also note that situations not associated with direct violence, such as natural disasters or catastrophes, are less likely to lead to the development of post-traumatic syndrome.

Physiology

Another group of factors considers a possible cause of the development of the disease - disturbances in the functioning of neural brain connections, namely the destruction of the functioning of frontal-limbic neurons

Heredity

The third significant cause of BPD is genetic predisposition, which accounts for up to 40% of cases of this diagnosis. It is quite difficult to achieve clear indicators in this regard, however, according to European studies, BPD is ranked 3rd out of 10 in terms of genetic determinants among personality disorders. It is logical to note that deviations in the functioning of certain lobes of the brain can be inherited and lead to a number of psychological problems, the development of which is aggravated by social factors. Most studies show that borderline personality is most often inherited from the mother.

Features of adolescence

Teenager

- this is a person whose emotions are extremely mobile and are not retained for a long time; unfortunately, they can be quite superficial and shallow.

During adolescence, a person experiences a large number of revelations and discoveries. The experience of betrayal is especially difficult for him; adolescents have a very acute and slightly exaggerated attitude towards such important concepts for them at this age as friendship and love. And breaks in friendships and love relationships in adolescence are perceived as mental trauma, quite severe, sometimes catastrophic.

At this age, which is also called puberty

, we psychiatrists quite often encounter the onset of certain mental disorders.