Character accentuations are extreme variants of the norm, in which individual character traits are excessively enhanced, as a result of which selective vulnerability to a certain kind of psychogenic influence is revealed with good and even increased resistance to other character accentuations as an etiopathogenetic factor.
Hyperthymic type. Adolescents belonging to the hyperthymic type are distinguished from childhood by great noisiness, sociability, excessive independence, even courage, and a tendency to mischief. They have neither shyness nor timidity in front of strangers, but they lack a sense of distance in relation to adults. In games they like to command their peers. Teachers complain about their restlessness. At school, despite good abilities, a lively mind, the ability to grasp everything on the fly, they study unevenly due to restlessness, distractibility, and lack of discipline. In adolescence, the main feature is almost always a good, even somewhat upbeat mood. It is combined with good health, often a flourishing appearance, high vitality, activity and bursting energy, always a wonderful appetite and sound, refreshing sleep. Only occasionally is the sunny mood darkened by outbursts of irritation and anger caused by the opposition of others, their desire to suppress too violent energy, to subordinate them to their will. The emancipation reaction has a strong impact on behavior: such adolescents show independence and independence early.
They react extremely violently to hyperprotection on the part of parents and educators with its petty control, everyday care, instructions and moralizing, “working through” for minor offenses at home and at meetings; do not tolerate strict discipline and strictly regulated regime; in unusual situations they do not get lost, show resourcefulness, know how to catch and dodge. Representatives of this type treat rules and laws lightly; they may, unnoticed by themselves, overlook the line between what is permitted and what is prohibited. They are always drawn to company, are burdened and do not cope well with loneliness, among their peers they strive for leadership, and not formal, but actual - the role of leader and ringleader; Although sociable, they are unscrupulous in their choice of acquaintances and can easily find themselves in dubious company. They love risk and adventure.
Characterized by a good feeling of new things. New people, places, objects are vividly attractive. Easily inspired, such teenagers often do not finish what they start and constantly change their “hobbies”; do not cope well with work that requires great perseverance, thoroughness, and painstaking work; They are not distinguished by neatness either in keeping promises or in financial matters, they easily get into debt, they like to show off and brag; tend to see their future in rosy colors. Failures can cause a strong reaction, but they are unable to unsettle you for a long time. They are quick-witted, quickly make peace and even make friends with those with whom they previously quarreled.
Sexual feeling often awakens early and is strong. Therefore, early sexual life is possible. However, teenage sexual deviance is fleeting and there is no tendency towards fixation. One's abilities and capabilities are usually overestimated. Although hyperthymic teenagers are well aware of most of the features of their character and do not hide them, they usually try to present themselves as more conforming than they really are.
The hyperthymic type occurs, as a rule, in the form of obvious accentuation. Against this background, acute affective reactions and situationally determined pathological behavioral disorders (early alcoholism, substance abuse behavior, emancipatory escapes, etc.) may occur. Hyperthymic accentuation can also be the basis for psychopathic developments of the hyperthymic-unstable and hyperthymic-hysteroid types. Under the influence of repeated traumatic brain injuries, a hyperthymic-explosive type of psychopathy can form. The hyperthymic type of accentuation occurs as a frequent premorbid background in manic-depressive and schizoaffective psychoses.
Cycloid type. In childhood, they do not differ from their peers or give the impression of being hyperthymic. With the onset of puberty, the first subdepressive phase may occur. Subsequently, these phases alternate with phases of recovery and periods of equal mood. The duration of the phases varies - at first days, 1-2 weeks, with age they can lengthen or, conversely, smooth out.
In the subdepressive phase, lethargy, loss of strength are noted, everything falls out of hand. What used to be easy and simple now requires a lot of effort. It becomes more difficult to study. The company of surrounding people begins to be a burden, companies are avoided, adventures and risks lose their attractiveness. Teenagers these days are becoming lethargic couch potatoes. Minor troubles and failures, which are not uncommon during this period due to a decline in performance, are difficult to experience. Although they often respond to comments and reproaches with irritation and rudeness, deep down they fall into even greater despondency. There is no feeling of hopeless melancholy or causeless anxiety, as with psychotic depression. They complain more about boredom. You also don’t have to hear ideas of self-deprecation. However, if these days there are serious criticisms or big failures, especially if they humiliate self-esteem, thoughts about one’s own lack of will, inferiority, worthlessness can easily arise and acute affective reactions with suicidal attempts can be provoked. Appetite decreases. Even your favorite foods don’t give you the same pleasure. Insomnia does not usually occur in teenagers. Sometimes they complain that it has become difficult to sleep and almost always about lethargy and weakness in the morning.
During the period of recovery, cycloid adolescents look like hyperthyms. What is striking is their usually risky jokes on their elders and their desire to make jokes everywhere.
The place of least resistance is a radical break in the life stereotype (for example, the transition from supervised school studies to the relative freedom of a higher education institution). Such withdrawal can prolong the subdepressive phase. In this phase, selective sensitivity to reproaches, reproaches, accusations appears - to everything that contributes to the emergence of the idea of self-accusation and self-abasement; emancipatory aspirations and grouping with peers are noted during upswings, and fade in the subdepressive phase. Hobbies are also characterized by instability: in the subdepressive phase they are abandoned, and during the recovery period they return to them or find new ones. Sexual activity increases during periods of recovery, but in the subdepressive phase, masturbation may increase. Delinquency, running away from home, and substance abuse behavior are unusual. They drink alcohol in groups and only during periods of recovery. Self-esteem is formed gradually, as the experience of “good” and “bad” periods accumulates. If there is a lack of such experience, it can be very inaccurate. Labile cycloids are a form of accentuation, intermediate between typical cycloids and labile adolescents, [Lichko A. E. Ozeretskovsky. S.D., 1972]. The phases here are very short - one to two days. On “bad” days, a bad mood is usually not combined with a lack of energy or poor health. Within one period, short changes in mood are possible, caused by relevant events or news. But unlike the labile type of accentuation described below, there is no excessive emotional reactivity, a constant readiness of the mood to change abruptly for minor reasons.
Cycloid psychopathy does not exist. With pronounced cycloidity, cyclothymia occurs, which can rightfully be considered as a mild form of manic-depressive psychosis. The cycloid accentuation itself can be the background for the development of both this and schizoaffective psychoses.
Labile type. In childhood, they do not differ from their peers or show a tendency to neurotic reactions. The main feature of adolescence is extreme lability of mood, which changes too often and extremely sharply due to insignificant and even unnoticeable reasons for others. An unflattering word spoken by someone or an unfriendly glance from a random interlocutor can suddenly plunge you into a gloomy mood without any serious troubles or failures. And vice versa, an interesting conversation, a fleeting compliment, tempting but unrealistic prospects heard from someone can instill gaiety and cheerfulness and even distract from real troubles until they remind you of themselves in some way. During frank and exciting conversations, you can see either tears ready to well up in your eyes or a joyful smile.
Everything depends on your mood at the moment: well-being, sleep, appetite, performance, and sociability. According to the mood, the future is either painted with rainbow colors, or appears dull and hopeless, and the past appears either as a chain of pleasant memories, or entirely consisting of failures and injustices. And the everyday environment sometimes seems nice and interesting, sometimes ugly and boring.
Unmotivated mood swings can create the impression of superficiality and frivolity. However, lability of adolescents is distinguished by deep feelings, sincere attachment to those from whom they see love, care and attention. Attachments remain, despite the ease and frequency of fleeting quarrels. Losses are hard to bear. Loyal friendship is no less characteristic. They prefer to be friends with someone who, in moments of sadness and dissatisfaction, is able to console and distract, in times of attacks, to protect, and in moments of uplifting, share joy and fun, and satisfy the need for empathy. They love company and a change of scenery, but unlike hyperthymic teenagers, they do not look for a field of activity, but only new experiences. Sensitivity to all kinds of signs of attention, gratitude, praise and encouragement, which bring sincere joy, is not combined with arrogance or conceit.
Emancipatory aspirations are expressed moderately. They intensify if they are fueled by an unfavorable family environment. The craving for grouping with peers depends entirely on the mood. In good moments they look for company, in bad moments they avoid communication. In a group of peers they do not pretend to be a leader, willingly content themselves with the position of a favorite and spoiled child, cared for and protected by others. Hobbies are limited to the information and communication type, sometimes amateur artistic activities, and even some pets (their own dog is especially attractive, which serves as a lightning rod for emotions during mood swings). Sexual activity is usually limited to flirting and courtship. Attraction remains undifferentiated for a long time and deviation onto the path of transient teenage homosexuality is easily possible. But sexual excesses are always avoided. A kind of selective intuition allows such teenagers to immediately feel how others treat them, at the first contact determining who is disposed towards them, who is indifferent, and who harbors at least a drop of ill will or hostility. The response arises immediately and without attempts to hide it. Self-esteem is distinguished by sincerity and the ability to correctly note the traits of one’s character. The “weak link” of this type is rejection by emotionally significant persons, loss of loved ones, separation from them, accentuation; the labile type is often combined with harmonious psychophysical infantilism, as well as with vegetative lability and a tendency to allergic diseases. This type of accentuation serves as the basis for acute affective reactions, neuroses, especially neurasthenia, reactive depression and psychopathic developments.
Astheno-neurotic type. Since childhood, signs of neuropathy are often detected: poor sleep and appetite, moodiness, fearfulness, tearfulness, sometimes night terrors, nocturnal enuresis, stuttering, etc. In other cases, childhood goes well, and the first signs of astheno-neurotic accentuation appear only in adolescence, the main features being fatigue, irritability and a tendency towards hypochondriasis. Fatigue is especially noticeable during mental activities or during physical and emotional stress, for example, in a competition environment. Irritability leads to sudden affective outbursts, often arising for an insignificant reason. Irritation, often poured out on those who happen to come to hand, is easily replaced by remorse and tears. The tendency to hypochondriasis can be especially strong. Such teenagers listen carefully to the slightest bodily sensations, willingly undergo treatment, go to bed, and undergo medical examinations. The most common source of hypochondriacal experiences in boys is the heart.
Adolescent behavioral disorders such as delinquency and alcoholism are not typical for this type. The emancipation reaction is usually limited to unmotivated outbursts of irritation towards parents, educators, and elders in general. They are drawn to their peers, looking for company, but quickly get tired of it and prefer loneliness or communication with a close friend. Self-esteem usually primarily reflects concern for health.
This type of accentuation is the basis for the development of neurasthenia, acute affective reactions, reactive depression, and hypochondriacal developments.
Breakdowns often occur when a teenager realizes the impossibility of cherished plans, the unreality of hopes and desires. Susceptibility to iatrogenic events is also high. Serious illnesses among relatives and friends increase hypochondriasis.
Accentuations are overly expressed character traits that belong to an extreme variant of the norm, bordering on psychopathy. With this feature, some character traits of a person are sharpened, disproportionate in relation to the general personality, leading to a certain disharmony.
The term “personality accentuation” was introduced in 1968 by the German psychiatrist K. Leonhard, who described this phenomenon as overly expressed individual personality traits that tended to transform into a pathological state under the influence of unfavorable factors. Later, this issue was considered by A.E. Lichko, who, based on the works of Leongrad, developed his own classification and coined the term “accentuation of character.”
And although an accentuated character is in no way identified with a mental illness, it is important to understand that it can contribute to the formation of psychopathologies (neuroses, psychoses, etc.). In practice, it is very difficult to find the line to separate “normal” from accentuated individuals. However, psychologists recommend identifying such people in groups, because accentuation almost always determines special abilities and psychological disposition to specific types of activities.
Classifications
Accentuations of character in terms of severity can be obvious or hidden. Explicit accentuation is an extreme variant of the norm, when certain character traits are expressed throughout life. The manifestation of hidden accentuations is usually associated with some kind of traumatic circumstances, which, in principle, is a common variant of the norm. During a person’s life, the forms of accentuations can transform into one another under the influence of various external and internal factors.
Lichko classification
The most common and understandable classifications of character types include the above-mentioned systems developed by Leonhard and Lichko. Lichko largely studied character accentuations that can be observed in adolescence, and in his classification the following types are distinguished:
| View | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Hyperthymic | This type is characterized as “overactive”, with its characteristic increased vitality and mood. Individuals with such accentuations cannot tolerate any monotony and loneliness, crave communication, are prone to frequent changes of hobbies and activities, as a result of which they rarely finish what they start. |
| Cycloid | Hyperthymia alternates with a subdepressive phase with characteristic cyclical mood changes |
| Labile | Emotional lability is expressed in frequent and causeless mood swings. People with this character trait are extremely sensitive, tend to openly demonstrate positive emotions towards others, and are socially responsive and sociable. |
| Sensitive | Often, sensitive accentuations manifest themselves in an inferiority complex, shyness, and increased impressionability. The interests of such individuals often lie in the intellectual and aesthetic spheres |
| Astheno-neurotic | Manifests itself in capriciousness, suspiciousness, increased irritability, and rapid fatigue during any mental work. |
| Schizoid | Individuals of the schizoid type are usually very withdrawn and prefer loneliness. If we talk about teenagers, they may not be attracted to their peers at all, preferring to be in the company of adults. Despite external indifference, the inner world of such individuals is often filled with various fantasies and hobbies. |
| Psychasthenic | People with accentuation of the psychasthenic type are prone to introspection, long-term hesitation when it is necessary to make a decision, fear of responsibility, and self-criticism |
| Epileptoid | The characteristic features of an individual are determined by authoritarianism, increased excitability, tension, irritability with attacks of anger |
| Hysterical | Hysterical personalities always want to be the center of everyone's attention, they are self-centered, afraid of becoming an object of ridicule, and prone to demonstrative suicide |
| Conformal | The individual is inclined to mindlessly obey any more authoritarian person, strives to be in no way different from others, in fact, being an opportunist |
| Unstable | People of this type often have a craving for various types of entertainment, laziness, lack of thinking about the future and lack of professional interests. |
Leongrad classification
The classification of character types proposed by Leongrad, who studied character accentuations mainly in adults and identified the following types, is in many ways similar:
| View | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Hyperthymic | Talkativeness, willingness to always make contact, pronounced facial expressions and gestures, energy and initiative, sometimes conflict, frivolity and irritability |
| Disthymic | The opposite type to the previous one, characterized by low contact and a generally pessimistic attitude and passivity |
| Cycloid | Frequent mood swings, which influence behavior and manner of communication with other people |
| Excitable. | Characterized by slow nonverbal and verbal reactions, however, in a state of emotional arousal, irritability and even aggression may occur |
| Stuck. | Boringness, a tendency to teach, touchiness, and sometimes even vindictiveness |
| Pedantic | In conflicts, such an individual usually participates as a passive observer, is distinguished by conscientiousness and accuracy, but is prone to formalism and tediousness |
| Anxious | Depression, lack of self-confidence, performance |
| Emotive | Such individuals feel comfortable only in the circle of selected close people, are able to empathize and sincerely rejoice in the happiness of others, and are characterized by tearfulness and increased sensitivity |
| Demonstrative | There is a pronounced desire for leadership, artistry, unconventional thinking, selfishness, hypocrisy, and a tendency to brag. |
| Exalted | Talkativeness, altruism, tendency to commit impulsive acts |
| Extroverted | Personalities of this type usually make contact easily, have many friends, are non-conflict, but are quite easily influenced by others, sometimes commit rash actions, and have a tendency to spread gossip. |
| Introverted | This type differs from the previous one in low contact. Introverted individuals show a tendency to philosophize, loneliness, adherence to principles, restraint, and stubbornness |
One of the modifications of the Leongarad classification is the system of Shmishek, who proposed dividing the types of accentuations into accentuations of temperament and character. Thus, he classified hyperthymicity, dysthymicity, cyclothymicity, anxiety, exaltation and emotivity as accentuations of temperament. But the author classified excitability, stuckness, demonstrativeness and pedantry directly as character accentuations.
Examples
The most striking examples of types of character accentuations can be popular heroes of modern animated films and literary works, endowed with pronounced personal characteristics. Thus, an unstable or dysthymic personality type is well illustrated in the hero of the famous children's work “The Adventures of Pinocchio” Pierrot, whose mood is usually joyless and depressed, and whose attitude to surrounding events is pessimistic.
Eeyore from the cartoon about Winnie the Pooh is best suited to the asthenic or pedantic type. This character is characterized by unsociability, fear of disappointment, and concern for his own health. But the White Knight from the famous work “Alice in Wonderland” can easily be classified as an extroverted schizoid type, characterized by intellectual development and unsociability. Alice herself belongs, rather, to the cycloid type, which is characterized by alternating increased and decreased activity with corresponding mood swings. The character of Cervantes' Don Quixote is revealed in a similar way.
The emphasis on the character of the demonstrative type is clearly manifested in Carlson - a narcissist 
a character who loves to show off, always striving to be the object of everyone's attention. Winnie the Pooh from the children's work of the same name and Matroskin the cat can safely be classified as the excitable type. These two characters are similar in many ways, as both are characterized by an optimistic disposition, activity and immunity to criticism. An exalted character can be observed in the hero of the modern cartoon “Madagascar” King Julian - he is eccentric, inclined to exaggerately demonstrate his own emotions, and does not tolerate inattention to himself.
The labile (emotional) type of character accentuation is revealed in Tsarevna-Nesmeyan, but the fisherman from the fairy tale by A.S. Pushkin’s “About the Fisherman and the Fish” is a typical representative of the conformist (extroverted) type, for whom it is easier to adapt to the opinions of others than to defend his point of view. The paranoid (stuck) type is characteristic of most purposeful and self-confident super-heroes (Spider-Man, Superman, etc.), whose life is a constant struggle.
Forming factors
An accentuated character is formed, as a rule, under the influence of a combination of various factors. There is no doubt that one of the key roles in this is played by heredity, that is, certain innate personal characteristics. In addition, the following circumstances may influence the appearance of accentuations:
- Appropriate social environment. Since character is formed from early childhood, the greatest influence on personality development is exerted by the people around the child. He unconsciously copies their behavior and adopts their characteristics;
- Deformative education. Lack of attention from parents and other surrounding people, excessive care or strictness, lack of emotional closeness with the child, excessive or contradictory demands, etc.;
- Failure to meet personal needs. With an authoritarian type of management in the family or school;
- Communication deficit in adolescence;
- Inferiority complex, inflated self-esteem or other forms of disharmonious idea of one’s own personality;
- Chronic diseases, especially those affecting the nervous system, physical disabilities;
- Profession. According to statistics, character accentuations are more often observed among representatives of such professions as actors, teachers, medical workers, military personnel, etc.
According to scientists, character accentuation most often manifests itself during puberty, but as one grows older it turns into a hidden form. As for the genesis of the phenomenon under consideration, a number of previously conducted studies show that, in general, education itself cannot create conditions in which, for example, a schizoid or cycloid personality type could be formed. However, with certain relationships in the family (excessive indulgence of the child, etc.), it is quite possible that the child will develop a hysterical accentuation of character, etc. Very often, mixed types of accentuations are observed in persons with a hereditary predisposition.
Peculiarities
Character accentuations are found not only in their “pure” form, which is easily classified, but in a mixed form. These are the so-called intermediate types, which are the result of the simultaneous development of several different traits. Taking into account such personality traits is very important when raising children and building communication with teenagers. It is also necessary to take into account the features of an accentuated character when choosing a profession, when identifying a predisposition to a particular type of activity.
Very often, an accentuated character is compared to psychopathy. Here it is important to take into account the obvious difference - the manifestation of accentuations is not constant, since over time they can change the degree of expression, smooth out or disappear altogether. Under favorable life circumstances, individuals with an accentuated character are even able to reveal special abilities and talents. For example, a person with an exalted type can discover the talent of an artist, actor, etc.
As for the manifestations of accentuations in adolescence, this problem is very relevant today. According to statistics, almost 80% of teenagers have character accentuations. And although these features are considered temporary, psychologists talk about the importance of their timely recognition and correction. The fact is that some of the pronounced accentuations under the influence of certain unfavorable factors can transform into mental illness already in adulthood.
Treatment
Excessively pronounced accentuation of character, leading to obvious disharmony of the personality, may indeed require certain treatment. It is important to emphasize that therapy for the problem under consideration must be inextricably linked with the underlying disease. For example, it has been proven that with repeated traumatic brain injuries against the background of an accentuated nature, the formation of psychopathic disorders is possible. Despite the fact that character accentuations themselves are not considered pathologies in psychology, they are quite close to mental disorders in a number of ways. In particular, an accentuated character is one of the psychological problems in which it is not always possible to maintain normal behavior in society.
Explicit and hidden character accentuations are diagnosed by conducting special psychological tests using appropriate questionnaires. Treatment is always prescribed individually depending on the specific type of accentuation, its causes, etc. As a rule, correction is carried out with the help of psychotherapy in individual, family or group form, but sometimes additional drug therapy may be prescribed.
Labile psychopathy is characterized by very frequent mood swings. But unlike cycloid psychopathy, which is characterized by phases and relative stability of periods of low or high mood, reaching 2-3 weeks, with a labile type of psychopathy, apparently completely unmotivated changes in mood can occur several times during one day.
But what seems gratuitous to parents or teachers is very important for a labile teenager. Therefore, the second main difference between labile psychopaths and cycloids is that in labile psychopaths, mood swings are provoked by something painful for the teenager, while in cycloids, both high and low moods arise as if by themselves, regardless of external influences.
The teenage psyche is generally very vulnerable. A teenager reacts to any offensive remark, neglect, or offensive nickname much more painfully than an adult.
An adult has the opportunity to analyze the reason for such an attitude towards himself and reassure himself that it is caused, for example, by envy, anger, ill will, the bad character of the offender, the fact that he is a troublemaker or loves gossip and intrigue, and so on. And he can react normally to an insult, without paying attention to it, or by quarreling with the offender, calling him names in response and receiving satisfaction from this.
And the teenager does not yet know how to analyze what caused a bad attitude or insult, and does not know how to behave correctly in such a situation. He cannot react rationally to an event that hurts his pride, since all his emotional reactions are still infantile (that is, similar to children), immature, and the neglect of others hurts him very much. The reaction may be resentment, tears, or withdrawal.
The external bravado of teenagers demonstrating to their peers and adults that they don’t care is just a mask. In fact, they are very concerned about what others think of them and are keenly aware of the effect their behavior has on their peers and adults. They can be very emotionally sensitive and observant, subtly noticing all the nuances in changing attitudes towards them.
Emotionally labile teenagers are especially sensitive to changes in the attitudes of those around them. Therefore, what adults consider a trifle that does not deserve to be offended, for a labile teenager is an important event that can ruin his mood for a long time.
Clinical example.
The mother of a 15-year-old teenager turned to me and said that her son, like a “red maiden,” is never in an even mood, sometimes he is despondent, depressed and almost cries, sometimes he is joyfully excited and so on ten times a day. -for any trifle. For example, he has a new hairstyle that suits him very well, he likes it himself, and his mother praised it, he smiles and is happy. He goes to school in a good mood, but a classmate calls him a “fashionist” - and his mood immediately deteriorates. The prettiest girl in the class approaches him with a request to let him copy a difficult homework assignment - and he is at the height of bliss. But during the lesson the teacher made some trifling remark to him, and his mood dropped again. After lessons, the girl invites him to go to her house to watch a new video - and he is happy again. And so on, ad infinitum.
The next day, the reason for his spoiled mood may be that he saw his chosen one talking to some boy - and he is sad again. But when she sees him, she leaves her interlocutor and goes to him - and all the bad things are immediately forgotten, and so on many times during the day.
The slightest remark, a sidelong glance, or classmates laughing after you are reasons for a spoiled mood and despondency. And encouragement, praise, a compliment, a tempting promise are reasons for a joyful state.
Such teenagers (both girls and boys) have a heightened sensitivity to everything that concerns them.
For parents and teachers, such frequent and sudden mood swings in a teenager seem unreasonable, since the irritants, in their opinion, are insignificant. An emotionally labile teenager may be considered moody, spoiled, or frivolous.
But actually it is not. Labile individuals are capable of deep feelings and experiences and sincere affection. But they usually experience such feelings in relation to those people from whom they themselves see dedication, participation and love. They are especially attached to their family and friends if they love them, care about them and understand their increased sensitivity. They are grateful when their parents console and reassure them, explaining that the reason for their bad mood is not worth being so upset about, and try to redirect the teenager's attention to something that can cheer him up.
Labile teenagers are also capable of sincere friendship. But in friendship they avoid rude, tactless peers, and prefer to communicate with those in whom they find a response to their experiences, who are able to console them and calm them down or make them laugh. They become attached to such friends with all their hearts.
This hypersensitivity to external influences continues as the teenager grows up. In adults, changes in mood can be associated both with their personal experiences and with events that are not directly related to them (the same can happen in adolescence). The words of a complete stranger who means nothing in their life can ruin the mood, and a random compliment can immediately bring a smile and elation.
Some labile psychopaths become intrusive and burdensome to other people because they constantly complain about their deep feelings of petty troubles and grievances.
Emotional reactions can be very expressive, in the form of emotional outbursts, but without aggressiveness. But labile psychopaths are not capable of long-term experiences and quickly become exhausted.
Constant mood swings affect both the performance and the entire life of labile psychopaths. They are easily carried away, showing inspiration and enthusiasm for the subject of their passion, but are easily disappointed when despondency replaces the joyful mood.
They are incapable of critical self-assessment and cannot somehow control their emotions. Persuasion and persuasion of others that they should not react so painfully to all sorts of trifles can calm them down for a while, and they will perk up again, but with a new trouble
they lose heart again, begin to complain to everyone and “cry into their vest” about their sorrows.
But if in a teenager such violent experiences over trifles can evoke the sympathy and empathy of adults, and their loving parents try to protect them from grief and calm them down, then similar behavior in an adult can cause bewilderment and rejection among others. They are advised to pull themselves together and look at the inevitable troubles in every person’s life more realistically.
Adult labile psychopaths often irritate others with their constant whining and complaints. Many people believe that they themselves have much more reasons to worry, but they do not burden other people with their problems, and the behavior of labile psychopaths is regarded as spoilage from childhood.
In some labile psychopaths, extreme instability of mood can be combined with hysterical traits. This variant of psychopathy is called labile-hysteroid.
Most often this is observed in those people who are adored and protected from everything by their parents. The indulgence of parents creates in a teenager confidence in permissiveness, and this is reinforced for life.
Labile-hysterical psychopaths are extremely self-centered, require constant attention and special treatment from others, considering themselves sophisticated, subtle and vulnerable. Such labile-hysterical psychopaths believe that everyone around them should protect them from unnecessary worries, create a special favorable atmosphere for them, cherish every minute of their good mood and in no case upset them. It is clear that such claims against other people, and especially in a professional team, are not only unfounded, but also absurd.
And with the labile-sensitive variant, there are unfavorable upbringing conditions in childhood, when parents neglect the child, constantly reproach him and punish him.
Sometimes this attitude of parents is caused by their irritation at the child’s constant mood swings, and then they set him as an example of other children who do not have such disorders, and having convinced themselves of the failure of “educational” measures to achieve a normal reaction of a labile child, they switch all their attention and love on other children in the family.
A rejected child, already vulnerable and emotionally unstable, not finding support in his parents, feels abandoned and unhappy by everyone. Even as an adult, such a labilely sensitive psychopath considers his life hopeless, full of insults and injustice, and often cries not only from insults, but at the mere memory of past insults.
Decompensation in labile psychopathy is a fairly common occurrence. It can occur at any age, and the reason that caused it may be completely insignificant.
Clinical example.
Larisa S. 39 years old. Single. Higher education. Technical editor at a publishing house.
Sensitive by nature, very vulnerable. She takes everything to heart, her mood constantly fluctuates - sometimes she cries over a trifle, but if someone says a word of approval to her, she immediately smiles. Larisa is diligent, neat, but can only work if she is constantly encouraged and praised. But as soon as the manager reprimands her that she’s been fiddling around with a task for too long or has done something wrong, Larisa bursts into tears. Male colleagues treated her mockingly and condescendingly, and female colleagues did not like her. One elderly employee once told her: “You haven’t seen real grief, so you cry over trifles. If I got married, then I would find out that your current grievances are just flowers.”
Although she was initially hired as an editor, later the editor-in-chief realized that she was of little use, since the productivity of her work was low due to the fact that Larisa either became depressed, cried and everyone had to console her, or laughed and rejoiced. trifle, enthusiastically talks about a pleasant event for her, and spends more time talking than working. Over time, she was transferred to the position of technical editor and was entrusted with the simplest work that did not require urgency.
At 39 years old, she remained romantic, enthusiastic, loved novels “about love” and tearful melodramas, shed streams of tears over television series, sincerely believed in romantic sublime love and hoped to meet her “prince charming.”
She was quite pretty, and at first some men tried to woo her. She was embarrassed and affected, but no one achieved intimacy with her. She was nicknamed the “old maid” and no one else harassed her.
Once at an editorial men's party, one of the broken journalists, a local “Don Juan” known for his love affairs, after a fair amount of libation, began to boast that he would “crack this nut.” They bet with another journalist on a box of cognac, and the next day the ladies' man began to process Larisa.
It lasted exactly two weeks, after which he gave up, bought a lost box of cognac, and together with his friends they had a grand feast.
He said that he saw Larisa off every evening after work. They walked late into the night and read poetry to each other. Telling his friends about this, he cursed and swore obscenely, since the last time he read poetry was in the 10th grade, but he really wanted to win the argument and charm Larisa, so he had to learn “I Remember a Wonderful Moment” by Pushkin. He recited the poems to Larisa with feeling, standing on one knee in front of her and handing her a rose, and she almost shed tears and sincerely believed that he had such sublime feelings for her. They talked about flowers and nature, about a beautiful sunset and the moon, but as soon as he tried to put his hand on Larisa’s shoulder, she shied away from him, as if he had done something indecent. He apologized for his “insolence” and continued the “siege.” He told her about his love and romantic feelings, supposedly he was secretly in love with her from the first day he saw her, but did not dare to confess.
In the mornings, Larisa, blushing, handed him letters that she wrote at night, in which there were also romantic outpourings, caught his eye, and flushed all over as soon as he entered the room. But if he was away, she would be sad and look out the window in the hope of seeing him.
Two weeks later, walking Larisa home, her “fan” plaintively said that he was “dying of love” and deserved at least one kiss with “exemplary behavior.” She offered him her cheek, and as soon as he lightly touched her cheek with his lips and tried to hug her, Larisa immediately pulled away and shook her finger at him, saying that he was a “bad boy.” Hearing this from the lips of a 39-year-old woman, he could barely contain his curses, turned around and left.
He told his friends that he was already “sick” of her “lisping about flowers”, he was tired of admiring the beauties of nature, and thanks to Larisa he risked becoming impotent and a misogynist.
But the matter did not end there. Larisa looked at him with loving eyes, every morning she put another letter with enthusiastic declarations of love on his table. Her unlucky “seducer” almost growled with rage and became everyone’s laughing stock. He tried to appear at the editorial office less often, sending someone to get materials so as not to come himself. Larisa's letters accumulated on his desk.
In the end, he moved to work in another editorial office. Larisa became sad, haggard, lost weight, did not sleep at night, cried, and therefore sought advice.
Character accentuations are extreme variants of the norm, in which individual character traits are overly enhanced.
1. Hyperthymic type. Teenagers of this type are distinguished by their mobility, sociability, and a penchant for mischief. They always make a lot of noise, love restless companies of their peers, and despite good general abilities, they show restlessness, lack of discipline, and study unevenly. Their mood is always good and upbeat. They often have conflicts with adults, parents, and teachers.
2.Cycloid type. It is characterized by increased irritability and a tendency toward apathy. Teenagers of this type prefer to be at home alone. They have a hard time with even minor troubles and react extremely irritably to comments. Their mood periodically changes from elated to depressed.
3. Labile type. This type is extremely changeable in mood, and it is often unpredictable. The reasons for an unexpected change in mood can be the most insignificant. According to this mood, the present and future for them can be colored either with rosy or gloomy colors.
4. Astheno-neurotic type. This type is characterized by increased suspiciousness and capriciousness, fatigue and irritability. Fatigue is especially common when performing a difficult task. The tendency towards hypochondria is a particularly typical trait.
5. Sensitive type. He is characterized by increased sensitivity to everything. These teenagers do not like large companies, too gambling, active, mischievous games. They are usually shy and timid in front of strangers and therefore often come across as withdrawn. They are open and sociable only with those who are well known to them. They are obedient and show great affection for their parents. They often compensate for deficiencies in their abilities by choosing complex activities and increased diligence.
6. Psychasthenic type. These teenagers are characterized by early intellectual development, a tendency to think and reason, to introspect and evaluate the behavior of other people.
7. Schizoid type. Its most significant feature is isolation. These teenagers are not very drawn to their peers; they prefer to be alone, in the company of adults. Such teenagers often demonstrate outward indifference to other people and lack of interest in them. Their inner world is often filled with various fantasies and special hobbies.
8. Epileptoid type. These teenagers often cry and harass others. Such children love to torture animals, beat and tease the younger and weaker, and mock the helpless and unable to fight back. In a children's company, they claim not just leadership, but the role of ruler. In the group of children they control, they establish their own strict, almost terroristic rules.
9. Hysterical type. The main feature of this type is egocentrism, a thirst for constant attention to one’s own person. Adolescents of this type have a tendency towards theatricality, posing, and panache. Such teenagers are characterized by claims to an exclusive position among their peers, and in order to influence others and attract attention to themselves, they often act in groups as instigators and ringleaders.
10. Unstable th type. Adolescents of this type show an increased tendency and craving for entertainment, indiscriminately, as well as for idleness and idleness. They do not have any serious interests, including professional ones, and they hardly think about their future.
11. Conformal type. This type demonstrates thoughtless, uncritical submission to any authority, to the majority in the group. This is the type of opportunist who, for the sake of his own interests, is ready to betray a comrade and leave him in difficult times.
Accentuation of character when exposed to unfavorable conditions can lead to pathological disorders and behavioral changes
Education: optimism, confidence in overcoming difficulties, hope for achieving a positive result, eliminating fixation of attention on the defect, stimulating compensatory capabilities, developing the ability to objectively assess one’s capabilities, actions and deeds.
Methods - informational, practical-effective, incentive-evaluative, training - taking into account the zone of proximal development. Methods of control and self-control, organization and implementation of educational activities.
Principles of correctional and developmental activities
When organizing correctional and developmental classes, it is necessary to rely on objectively existing or assumed patterns of child development and adhere to the following principles:
1. Unity of teaching, correctional, developmental and educational tasks.
2. Development of consciousness, activity and independence of the child in the process of correctional and developmental activities.
3. Systematicity and consistency (the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired by children must represent a certain system, and their formation is carried out in stages).
4. Accessibility of the content of classes (the material being studied must be adapted taking into account the mental, psychological, physical capabilities of children, the level of knowledge and skills they have achieved, and at the same time, require certain efforts to master it).
5. Visibility (the principle stems from the need for children to actively perceive, comprehend and generalize the material being studied; it is used both as a means of learning new things, and for the development of observation, and for better memorization of information).
6. Individual approach to students.
7. Morality, environmental friendliness (one of the most important ethical principles, including moral education (forming a child’s readiness for independent choice)).
Pathological formation of personality. Mechanisms of formation of pathocharacterological development. Types of pathological reactions in adolescents. Pedagogical correction of “difficult character”.
Pathological personality formation associated with improper upbringing and unfavorable environmental conditions .
Mechanisms: consolidation of personal reactions, direct stimulation of personal reactions (excitability, consolidation of timidity, conscience)
Options:
Affectively excitable - in conditions of hypoprotection, discharge affect (anger, irritation) with inadequate forces of influence.
Inhibited – less common, lacking self-confidence, timid, touchy. The influence of prohibitions and parental attention.
Hysterical – demonstrativeness, desire to attract attention. The child is the idol of the family.
Unstable – absence of volitional delays.
Character accentuations - these are extreme variants of the norm, in which certain character traits are excessively strengthened, as a result of which selective vulnerability is revealed in relation to a certain kind of psychogenic influences with good and even increased resistance to others.
In K. Leonhard's classification, developed on the basis of a psychological analysis of personality, the following types of character accentuations are proposed: hyperthymic, dysthymic, emotive, anxious, introverted, excitable, demonstrative, unstable, affectively labile, pedantic, etc. (Leonhard, 1981).
The types of character accentuations are very similar and partially coincide with the types of psychopathy. The most famous term was obtained by K. Leongard (1968) - “accentuated personality”. However, it is more correct to talk about “accentuations of character” [Lichko a. E., 1977]. Personality is a much more complex concept than character. It includes intelligence, abilities, inclinations, worldview, etc. In the descriptions of K. Leonhard we are talking specifically about character types. In addition, in countries with a German language, the term “accentuated personality” began to be used as a clinical diagnosis instead of the term “psychopathy,” which is legitimate if we consider accentuations as extreme variants of the norm; the differences between character accentuations and psychopathy are based on the diagnostic criteria of P. B. Gannushkin ( 1933)
In general, character accentuations are extreme variants of the norm, in which individual character traits are excessively strengthened, as a result of which selective vulnerability is revealed in relation to a certain kind of psychogenic influences with good and even increased resistance to others
Being extreme variants of the norm, character accentuations in themselves cannot be a clinical diagnosis. They are only the soil, a premorbid background, a predisposing factor for the development of psychogenic disorders (acute affective reactions, neuroses, situationally determined pathological behavioral disorders, psychopathic developments, reactive and endoreactive psychoses). In these cases, both selective sensitivity to a certain kind of psychogenic factors and the characteristics of the clinical picture depend on the type of accentuation. in endogenous psychoses, some types of accentuations, apparently, can also play the role of a predisposing or increasing risk factor for the disease
The types of accentuations, as already mentioned, are very similar and partially coincide with the types of psychopathy. The differences between character accentuations and psychopathy are based on diagnostic criteria developed in the works of P. B. Gannushkin (1998) and O. V. Kebrikov (1971). Typically, accentuations develop during the development of character and smooth out as the individual matures. Character traits with accentuations may not appear all the time, but only in some situations, in a certain environment, and are almost not detected under normal conditions. Social maladjustment with accentuations is either completely absent or short-lived.
As we have already discussed above, K. Leonhard identifies 12 main character accentuations: hyperthymic, dysthymic, cycloid, emotive, demonstrative, excitable, stuck, pedantic, anxious, exalted, introverted, extroverted. Let us consider the substantive characteristics of individual types of character accentuations presented in the classification of Leonhard (1981).
Hyperthymic type
The main characteristics of this type of character accentuation are optimism, increased thirst for activity, and high activity in adolescents. With mild accentuation, a teenager exhibits such characteristics as sociability, stable, good mood, self-confidence, an active desire for activity, and organizational skills. With a pronounced accentuation of character according to the hyperthymic type, a teenager may exhibit such maladaptive qualities as frivolity, underdeveloped ethical norms and rules, irresponsibility, a tendency to gambling, running away, early alcoholism and early sexual relationships.
Adolescents belonging to the hyperthymic type are distinguished from childhood by being very noisy, sociable, excessively independent, even courageous, and prone to mischief. They have neither shyness nor timidity in front of strangers, but they lack a sense of distance in relation to adults. In games they like to command their peers. Teachers complain about their restlessness. At school, despite good abilities, a lively mind, the ability to grasp everything on the fly, they study unevenly due to restlessness, distractibility, and lack of discipline. In adolescence, the main feature is almost always a good, even somewhat upbeat mood. It is combined with good health, often a blooming appearance, high vitality and bursting energy, always a wonderful appetite and sound, refreshing sleep. Only occasionally is the sunny mood darkened by outbursts of irritation and anger caused by the opposition of others, their desire to suppress too violent energy, to subordinate them to their will. The emancipation reaction has a strong impact on behavior: such teenagers show independence and independence early.
To hyperprotection from parents and educators with its petty control, everyday care, and instructions. And they react extremely violently with moralizing and “working through” for minor offenses at home and at meetings; do not tolerate strict discipline and strictly regulated regime; in unusual situations they do not get lost, show resourcefulness, know how to catch and dodge. Representatives of this type treat Rules and laws lightly; they may, unnoticed by themselves, overlook the line between what is permitted and what is prohibited. They are always drawn to company, are burdened and do not tolerate loneliness well, among their peers they strive for leadership, and not formal, but actual - the role of leader and ringleader; Although sociable, they are unscrupulous in their choice of acquaintances and can easily find themselves in dubious company. They love risk and adventure.
Characterized by a good feeling of new things. New people, places, objects are vividly attractive. Easily inspired, such teenagers often do not finish what they start and constantly change their “hobbies”; do not cope well with work that requires great perseverance, thoroughness, and painstaking work; They are not distinguished by neatness either in keeping promises or in financial matters, they easily get into debt, they like to show off and brag; tend to see their future in rosy colors. Failures can cause a violent reaction, but are unable to unsettle them for a long time: they are easy-going, quickly make peace and even make friends with those with whom they previously quarreled.
Sexual feeling often awakens early and is strong. Therefore, early sexual life is possible. However, teenage sexual deviance is fleeting and there is no tendency towards fixation.
One's abilities and capabilities are usually overestimated. Although hyperthymic teenagers are well aware of most of the features of their character and do not hide them, they usually try to present themselves as more conforming than they really are.
The hyperthymic type occurs, as a rule, in the form of obvious accentuation. Against this background, acute affective reactions and situationally determined pathological behavioral disorders (early alcoholism, substance abuse behavior, emancipatory escapes, etc.) may occur. Hyperthymic accentuation can also be the basis for psychopathic developments of the hyperthymic-unstable and hyperthymic-hysteroid types. Under the influence of repeated traumatic brain injuries, a hyperthymic-explosive type of psychopathy can form.
Dysthymic type of character accentuation .
This type is exactly the opposite of hyperthymic. Its representatives look at the world through “dark glasses”, pessimistically. A serious attitude and responsibility for their actions prevails; they are little happy. Vital activity is weakened, thought is slow. They do not have the ability to communicate with others, they are taciturn in communication, and in conversation they limit themselves to individual remarks. There is a constant low mood, sadness, isolation. In work activities, an adult with such an accentuation is burdened by a noisy, large team, preferring to work alone, and does not get along closely with colleagues.
Teenagers of this type of accentuation feel comfortable only among a small circle of close people who understand, accept and support them. It is important for them to have long-term, stable attachments.
Example: Vadim A. 16 years old. Studying in 10th grade, class leader. He takes his responsibilities very seriously. He is tactful, attentive, and not selfish with teachers and classmates. The guys treat him well, considering him an intelligent and fair person. But he doesn’t like his position because he has to command. He considers the past, generally prosperous period of life to be a chain of troubles and failures; he remembers the bad best.. He does not see a joyful personal prospect in the future. His parents consider him a whiner and a jerk; they try to instill optimism in him and draw him into a cheerful company. But he resists visiting in every possible way, sits there silently and aloofly. In his free time he prefers solitude: reads books, does carpentry. However, he painfully experiences his isolation, considering it an anomaly. He loves symphonic music, fiction with a tragic plot, while rejecting operetta and comedy films, considering them empty and uninteresting.
Anxious type.
The main feature of this type of accentuation is anxious suspiciousness, constant fear for oneself and one’s loved ones. During childhood, they often have a symbiotic relationship with their mother or other relatives. Teenagers are afraid of new people (teachers, neighbors, etc.) They need warm, caring relationships. A teenager’s confidence that he will be supported and helped in an unexpected, non-standard situation contributes to the development of his initiative and activity.
Such children are afraid of the dark, an empty apartment, animals, thunderstorms. Boys avoid the company of peers, considering her rude. More time is spent among girls and younger children. Anxious children are afraid of getting into conflict situations, but that is why they often find themselves in such situations: the children around them, noticing their timidity, often offend them and even beat them. To correct this situation, they need to develop their will and courageous, courageous character, the ability to stand up for themselves, and fight back against offenders. The teacher, when such anxiety appears in children, should not address them too categorically and demandingly. It is necessary to switch their attention to a deep understanding of educational work, encourage them and instill confidence in success.
Example: Fedya N. 13 years old. As a child, he was speechless. Entering the room in the evening, I turned on the light and examined the empty space under the bed, in the closet, fearfully looking for a possible intruder. In communication he showed timidity, humility, uncertainty and, to some extent, even humiliation. The boy is also characterized by increased excitability. I was friends mostly with girls my age. The boys treated him as a scapegoat and openly made fun of his shortcomings. He moved with his parents several times from city to city. It was difficult to adapt to the new school, all the time expecting tricks and bullying from classmates. That's how it happened. I was afraid of strict teachers. To get rid of fear, I began to jump with a parachute and strengthen my will in other ways. Once he fought back the offenders, after which they left him alone. Subsequently, he received recognition from the guys as a good draftsman.
In general, anxious children are characterized by low mood levels, fears for themselves and loved ones, timidity, self-doubt, and extreme indecisiveness. He experiences failure for a long time and is unsure of his own actions.
Emotive type of accentuation.
Adolescents of this type are characterized by mood variability, depth of experiences, and increased sensitivity. Emotive people have developed intuition and are sensitive to the assessment of others. They feel comfortable surrounded by family, understanding and caring adults, and constantly strive for confidential communication with adults and peers who are significant to them.
From childhood they are sensitive and kind-hearted. Sad events cause them very deep, unpleasant experiences. But their joyful emotions are also significantly strong. These people have philanthropic feelings and are very responsive. Emotive personalities are similar to exalted ones, but differ from them in the less extreme nature of their emotions and not such a high speed of their occurrence. They are characterized primarily as sensitive and impressionable. The feelings of these people are noticeably manifested externally, especially in facial expressions.
Example: Yuri G. 15 years old. Since childhood, he was distinguished by impressionability and compassion. So, in the fifth grade, he found a sick sparrow and wanted to cure it, but he failed, so he, shedding tears, buried it in the garden.
As a teenager, I was friends with kids who preferred walks in nature and reading to the rough entertainment of their peers. He recites poetry at school evenings, and this reading often happens with tears in his eyes, although he is very ashamed of these tears.
Thus, the emotive type is characterized by excessive sensitivity, vulnerability, deep experience of the slightest troubles, they are overly sensitive to comments and failures, so they are often in a sad mood.
