Hysterical neurosis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Hysterical neurosis is a mental illness (a type of neurosis), which is characterized by violent emotional reactions, sudden changes in mood, as well as extremely diverse numerous symptoms that imitate severe somatic and neurological diseases. Changes in the clinical picture of the disease that occur every 20-30 years, as well as the lack of a unified medical point of view on pathogenesis, complicate the detection and treatment of pathology. In the modern classification, instead of the term hysterical neurosis, the concepts “dissociative disorder” and “conversion disorder” are used, which are different forms of this disease.

The low percentage (up to 35%) of initial referrals to a specialized specialist has a negative impact on the effectiveness of treatment of hysterical neurosis. Patients with hystero-neurotic disorders come to see general practitioners rather than psychotherapists with complaints of various pains, numbness, discomfort, spasms, etc.

Timely contact with qualified psychotherapists is a guarantee of an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment. Specialists at the NEOPSI Center for Mental Health are ready to help in the treatment of neurotic diseases.

Clinical manifestations

The main manifestations of neurosis and hysteria are:

Motor disorders - can be expressed in partial or complete paralysis of the limbs, hyperkinesis, tremor.
Sensory disorders - manifested in anesthesia, hypoesthesia or hyperesthesia. Often there is pain in different parts of the body, narrowing of visual fields.
Autonomic disorders - include gastrointestinal disorders, fainting, rapid heartbeat.
Actually, mental manifestations include sharp emotional reactions, mood swings with fears, tearfulness, resentment, and conflict.

Hysterical neurosis (hysteria)

At first, such people are simply “hysterical” - they break dishes, throw scandals, and become unmotivatedly offended. Subsequently, they develop full-blown hysteria. The famous psychoanalyst S. Freud considered it the release of internal conflicts into energy. In his opinion, a common cause of the disease is sexual dissatisfaction, restrained intimate desires and impulses.

Psychoanalyst V. Blankenburg gave the following comparison: the body of a hysterical person becomes a ball for the game, with the help of which a person shows his accumulated emotions. The patient, through his actions, tries to attract attention to himself and conveys to others: “I feel bad, I am suffering, have pity on me!” Symptoms in the advanced stage of the disease are varied, but are always associated with the impact on others. This is a one-man show.

Hysterics may experience:

Sensory and movement disorders - hand tremors, phantom pain, immobility in one half of the body (hysterical paresis) or in all limbs (hysterical paralysis). Patients say that “the legs are foreign, they don’t obey,” but sensitivity in the limbs is completely preserved.
Tic, twitching of limbs, dysfunction of neck muscles (hysterical torticollis), patients cannot bend their arms and legs (hysterical contractures). In sleep, all manifestations of the disease disappear, the patient’s limbs easily bend and straighten.
Pain in a certain point or area (a symptom of a “driven nail”), and diffuse pain in the abdomen and heart is also possible. The severity of pain varies from mild to intense.
Visual impairment without physiological eye problems. Visual perception is preserved, so neurotics, unlike truly blind people, do not find themselves in life-threatening situations. The eyes give a signal to the body without the knowledge of the patient, who considers himself blind. Blindness occurs after experiences, such as reading an unpleasant letter or receiving sad news.
Hysterical deafness, usually in one ear, often accompanied by an imaginary loss of sensitivity in the auricle.
Speech disorders. The patient has hysterical aphonia (lack of voice), although there are no problems with the speech apparatus. The ability to speak may return unexpectedly, under the influence of some subtle factor. Hysterical stuttering occurs, periodically disappearing when the patient calms down. Patients communicate well using facial expressions and gestures, love to write on paper, and the lack of speech does not cause them any embarrassment.

Symptoms of the disease are unstable. Deafness may give way to blindness or numbness of the limbs. Sometimes the symptoms disappear, returning again during the next stressful situation.

People with hysterical neurosis are a favorite target for all kinds of “magicians and healers.” Having quickly figured out that the problem is not physiological, but nervous, “pseudo-sorcerers” cure hysterics by suggestion and satisfaction of attention to their person. Since these patients are easily suggestible, the effect of the “treatment” occurs quickly.

Causes of the disease

Scientists representing the field of psychiatry have studied hysterical neurosis quite well. Today it is known that pathology is based on endogenous and exogenous factors. Whether a person will encounter hysteria depends on his character, temperament, heredity, degree of emotionality and suggestibility.

The prerequisites for neurosis are:

nervous tension;
somatic diseases;
conflicts with others;
auto-aggression;
mental and physical fatigue;
taking high doses of alcohol;
dissatisfaction with one's own life;
long-term use of antidepressants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers.

Even people with a calm and balanced character run the risk of encountering manifestations of hysteria if they work for a long time without rest and are nervous a lot.

General symptoms of neuroses

Symptoms of neuroses usually manifest themselves in disruption of many systems of the human body.

Vegetative-vascular and central nervous systems:

panic attacks;
dizziness;
tension headache;
tremor;
imbalance;
muscle twitching;
sleep disorders.

The cardiovascular system:

discomfort in the heart area;
high or low blood pressure;
heart rhythm disturbance;
Raynaud's syndrome;
cardialgia;
feeling of suffocation and lack of air.

Digestive system:

loss of appetite;
feeling of dry mouth;
vomit;
nausea;
heartburn.

Genitourinary system:

cystalgia;
enuresis;
decreased libido;
frigidity;
pain and pain in the genital area.

Skin:

psoriasis;
hives;
atopic dermatitis.

For many types of neurosis, there is one common symptom - asthenia. It manifests itself as increased mental or physical fatigue. Anxiety syndrome and various kinds of phobias are observed quite often. Sometimes neurosis can be accompanied by compulsions (obsessive motor actions) and dysthymia (depressed, melancholy mood).

Disorder of mnestic functions:

memory impairment;
decreased concentration and attention;
inability to concentrate on anything;
narrowed consciousness.

Causes of neurosis

To date, much research has been carried out in the field of the causes of neuroses. But it was not possible to fully establish the true causes and mechanism of development of neuroses. Previously, neurosis was considered the lot of people who experience strong intellectual stress and lead too hectic lives. This was explained by the fact that the rural population has much less cases of neuroses, since their life is more measured and calm. But after conducting research among air traffic controllers, these hypotheses were refuted. The fact is that people in this specialty suffer from neuroses no more often than others, although their work involves constant stress and requires extreme concentration and attention. If dispatchers experienced neuroses, they were caused by problems in the family and conflict situations at work, and not at all by overwork due to the work process.

In other studies and a number of psychological tests of people suffering from neuroses, it was found that an important determining factor in the development of the disorder is not the number of traumatic situations, but the role they play for a particular person individually. In some patients, neurosis can develop as a result of a seemingly very minor life problem - it all depends on the conditions and personal value system of each individual.

A significant role in the occurrence of neuroses in a person is assigned to his psychological and physiological characteristics. So people who are very suspicious, emotional, rigid and excitable are much more likely to suffer from this disorder. Therefore, increased emotionality in women has led to the fact that they suffer from neuroses more than men, almost twice as much. Some personality traits that are inherited can also lead to the development of neuroses. Other causes of neuroses include hormonal changes in the body during various periods of a person’s life (adolescence, menopause) and neurotic problems that the patient had in childhood (enuresis or logoneurosis).

Forecast and prevention of neurosis

In order for neurosis to have a favorable prognosis, its treatment should be started on time. Competent and qualified assistance will help the patient, if not completely get rid of neurosis, then at least significantly improve his condition. Do not forget that if a person does not receive help and treatment for a long time, this can lead to significant personal changes and even suicide.

To prevent neuroses, one should avoid or prevent the occurrence of situations that can traumatize the human psyche, this is especially important for children. It is important to reconsider your views on life and your system of values and priorities in order to get rid of unnecessary, sometimes dangerous misconceptions and, thereby, change your attitude towards yourself and others. Things such as proper sleep, proper nutrition, hardening and a healthy lifestyle, physical exercise strengthen the psyche and, accordingly, prevent the occurrence of neurosis.

Primary appointment with a neurologist: 1850 RUR.

What is hysteria in women: causes and predisposing factors

According to experts, individuals with a specific character are prone to developing hysterical disorder. They are distinguished by a peculiar perception of information and poorly developed analytical thinking . They are very impressionable, often their behavior and ideas about the world around them are formed on the basis of books and films they have read. Naturally, such a position and view of what is happening has little in common with reality.

Women prone to hysteria are very dependent on the opinions of other people; they need recognition and high appreciation of their actions, efforts, even minor success. They are happy to imitate their idols: it could be someone from their social circle or some celebrity (most often, these are actresses, heroines of feature films and TV series, literary characters, fashion models; in the modern world, Instagram and YouTube are more popular than ever bloggers).

But as practice shows, they rarely achieve real success. They find it difficult to study and many types of professional activities. Much more attractive is an idle lifestyle, visiting “bohemian” parties, fashion shows, film and theater premieres. The main thing is to be visible, and ideally, in the center of attention. Characteristic is the desire to appear better (more significant, “more expensive”) than in reality. But in fact, such women are very superficial, and in fact they have numerous acquaintances “in high circles”, financial well-being, etc. are nothing more than fantasy.

But the full-blown symptoms of hysteria in women are provoked by stress factors and psychotraumatic situations (but it should be taken into account that individuals with such character traits are prone to exaggerating any problem). The trigger can be:

crisis in personal relationships;
any disease;
problems at work;
episodes of physical and sexual violence;
a sharp change in hormonal levels associated with pregnancy or menopause, etc.

Treatment of hysterical neurosis in adults and children.

Therapy at the present stage consists of a combination of certain techniques:

Psychotherapy. In the treatment of hysterical neurosis in adults, psychotherapeutic techniques occupy a central place. With their help, it is necessary to achieve in the patient the identification of the true causes and conditions for the occurrence of hysterical manifestations. Conditions are being created to reduce the dependence of patients on the attention of others. It is necessary to teach patients to resolve problems without reacting emotionally. In some cases, hypnotherapy and suggestion are very effective.

Medication correction. Initially, therapy begins with the prescription of herbal sedatives, which, in addition to psychotherapeutic techniques, is quite sufficient for the successful treatment of hysterical neurosis in adults and the vast majority of children's cases. In a certain part of severe situations (accompanied by suicidal statements and tendencies), it is necessary to prescribe mild antipsychotics and tranquilizers.

Psychiatrist, Kazak Alexander Alexandrovich

The text was checked by expert doctors: Head of the socio-psychological service of the Alkoklinik MC, psychologist Yu.P. Baranova, L.A. Serova, a psychiatrist-narcologist.

CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER?

Consult a specialist

Or call: +7 (495) 798-30-80

Call! We work around the clock!

Signs of the disorder

The symptoms of hysteria are varied. They can change, fade away, and then appear with renewed vigor. The clinical picture often includes the following signs:

headache;
hearing impairment;
uncontrolled muscle contractions, cramps, spasms;
vomiting from nervous tension;
paralysis;
temporary loss of voice;
change in tactile sensations;
decreased visual acuity.

During convulsions, the patient screams, moans, and cries. He can hit himself, tear out the hair on his own head. But he does all this only if someone is looking at him. If there are no “spectators,” such symptoms never develop.

If we talk in detail about hysterical attacks, they proceed as follows:

First, the person portrays a painful attack, which is very similar to an epileptic one. He does this very diligently so that they believe him. At some point he experiences convulsions. Then the body arches.
The patient's behavior changes towards increased activity and clownism. He diligently waves his arms, legs, and rotates his head.
Afterwards there is a stage with terrifying grimaces and strange poses. With all his appearance, the patient pretends that he is experiencing anger, horror, pain.
Nervous tension creates conditions for hallucinations to occur. The patient cries or laughs, sees some non-existent pictures, says something indistinctly. He can remember his visions, but then has difficulty if asked to talk about them.

Most often, during hysteria, people do not fall to the ground. They demonstrate to others that they are suffocating, complaining of pain in the heart, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and inability to breathe normally. At the same time, their face turns sharply red or, conversely, becomes too pale.

Doctors know of cases where, after a seizure, the patient fell into a state of lethargy. Then he would fall asleep and tune out what was happening around him for the next two or three days.

If we compare hysteria with epilepsy, then, despite the visual similarity of the course of seizures, in the first case the presence of “spectators” is mandatory. Epileptics suffer from seizures, regardless of whether someone is looking at them or not. Also, hysterical individuals often act deliberately. If they want to deliberately show how much they are suffering, they fall on some soft surface so as not to harm themselves.

Evidence-based factors of the hysterical nature of the manifestations of the disease.

Hysterical manifestations, regardless of specific manifestations, always obey certain rules:

There is a clear connection between the manifestations and the need to attract attention (obtaining benefits, fulfilling certain requirements, unpleasant or conflict situations).
Sudden sharp onset and equally sudden cessation of clinical manifestations.
The greater the number of “spectators and sympathizers,” the brighter the clinical manifestations.
Very often there can be a combination of mutually exclusive or contradictory symptoms.

+7(495) 744-85-28

Diagnosis of neurosis

When diagnosing neuroses, it is important, first of all, to correctly collect anamnesis in order to find out what traumatic trigger caused the development of the disease. For these purposes, the patient is subjected to psychological testing, the structure of his personality is examined, and a pathopsychological examination is performed.

The neurologist should prescribe an examination of the cerebral vessels, for which MRI, EEG, ultrasound, etc. are performed. This is necessary to exclude cerebral pathologies. It is important to carry out a differential diagnosis of neurosis in order to exclude psychiatric (psychopathy, schizophrenia, etc.) or somatic (chronic gastritis, cardiomyopathy) disease. In particularly severe cases, the patient must consult a psychiatrist.

It is also necessary to conduct an examination of internal organs to accurately exclude the presence of various diseases. The patient should visit a cardiologist, urologist, gynecologist or gastroenterologist. It all depends on which symptoms prevail in the case of neurosis.