Until recently, neurasthenia was considered a “female” mental disorder, since this pathology was extremely rare in men. However, now more and more representatives of the stronger sex are turning to specialists with symptoms that allow them to be diagnosed with neurasthenia - a mental disorder related to neuroses.
Psychiatrists believe that the main cause of neurasthenia is excessive mental and physical stress. The psyche thus signals exhaustion. Neurasthenia most often occurs in people aged 20 to 40 years. At risk are men and women who engage in mental work or lead an active social life, which leads to chronic stress.
MAIN SIGNS OF THE DISORDER
Very often, the “first signs” of a disorder are mistaken by a person for banal fatigue. But over time, these symptoms do not go away, and the malaise becomes more pronounced. Performance decreases, irritability increases, and depression may develop. This all makes life very difficult.
A timely visit to a doctor will allow you to get rid of neurasthenia quickly enough. It is important not to waste time and not let the pathology develop into more serious disorders. Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main signs of neurasthenia:
- The most obvious sign of the disorder is excessive irritability. A person shows an extreme degree of dissatisfaction, is always embittered, and can become angry over the slightest reason. Most often, these attacks of rabies affect family members and friends.
- Neurasthenia makes any waiting unbearable. A person must get what he wants immediately; he simply cannot wait.
- Headaches occur and are localized in the temporal zone. The head begins to ache at the slightest mental stress.
- Consciousness becomes foggy, the perception of the world is disrupted, the flow of thoughts becomes inconsistent, and individual thoughts become abrupt.
- The ability to concentrate decreases. Doing usual things becomes burdensome, a person is constantly distracted by small things, and becomes overly fussy.
Symptoms of the disorder are almost the same in women and men. Differences may be observed only in some manifestations, but all patients note a feeling of fatigue, lack of strength and apathy.
REASONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEURASTENIA AND TYPES OF DISORDER
Factors that can cause the development of neurasthenia are divided into several groups:
- biological. This category includes heredity, difficult pregnancy and childbirth, individual mental characteristics, a weakened body and the presence of physiological problems;
- psychological. Psychological trauma experienced by a person in childhood, including domestic violence, as well as stress and the need to perform unpleasant routine work for a long time;
- social. Difficult relationships within the family, difficult childhood, dissatisfaction with life. This group can also include communication with people who have a negative view of the surrounding reality.
Experts distinguish two forms of neurasthenia: hyposthenic and hypersthenic. In the first case, the patient experiences decreased performance, drowsiness and exhaustion, and increased fatigue. In the second, the person becomes hot-tempered, excitable, finds it difficult to fall asleep, and there is increased reactivity.
Neurasthenia can affect various physiological areas. Based on this, it is divided into types. This is how cerebral, cardiac, gastrointestinal and sexual neurasthenia are distinguished. As the name implies, in each of these types there is a malfunction of a certain body system or individual organ. In most cases, patients experience several types of neurasthenia at once, so this division is quite arbitrary.
Irritated Man Syndrome
New medical research shows that men have a period during which they become irritable and aggressive. Experts associate this behavior with a sharp decrease in a hormone called testosterone.
Low testosterone affects the mental state of men, as well as potency. One of the reasons for the decrease in the hormone is stress and prolonged emotional stress.
Testosterone is called the male hormone, it is responsible for confidence, energy, and an active sex life. It is associated with hair growth, voice timbre, and general appearance. With chronic stress, testosterone is at a low level, which provokes isolation, nervousness, and most importantly, poor potency.
Testosterone is the conquering hormone and is associated with victory and confidence. With any success, its level increases. In case of regular failures, testosterone decreases, the person becomes vulnerable.
GENITAL NEURASTENA
It is caused by a malfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), which provokes a decrease in human sexual activity. It is this type of disorder that most often occurs in men.
The main reasons for the development of sexual neurasthenia are the same factors that lead to the development of other types of this disorder. First of all, this:
- increased stress on the nervous system (mental work, stressful situations, etc.);
- lack of proper rest and sleep;
- alcohol abuse, smoking and other bad habits;
- lack of complete and balanced nutrition.
Frequent early masturbation and interruption of sexual intercourse (frequent) are considered specific causes of the development of sexual neurasthenia. However, it is worth noting the fact that neurasthenia develops differently in each person under the influence of different circumstances.
We can talk about the development of sexual neurasthenia if manifestations from the genitourinary system that are not associated with physical diseases are added to the main symptoms of the disorder. A man may experience constant arousal, but at the same time there is a rather weak erection or no erection at all. Ejaculation is premature, may be accompanied by pain, orgasm is weak. As the disease progresses, there is a disturbance in the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system, attraction to the opposite sex decreases, and sexual sensations weaken.
Sexual neurasthenia, as well as other varieties of this pathology, is dangerous in that it can lead to the development of depression. In this state, a person often experiences suicidal thoughts, and at some point he may bring them to life.
But don't despair! This pathology is curable: with timely consultation with specialists, you can completely get rid of this disorder.
Consequences of long-term stress
A little stress does not have a big health hazard, but a chronic nervous state can lead to serious troubles:
- obesity;
- heart diseases;
- digestive disorders;
- hair problems;
- skin diseases;
- depression;
- sexual dysfunction.
The problem of stress can be solved through your own efforts or with the help of loved ones. Family members or friends can help you come up with a plan to cope with a difficult situation and manage stress. Meditation and yoga, as well as developing healthy habits, are very helpful for maintaining physical and emotional health. Physical exercise, proper nutrition, regular sufficient rest, cultural events, hobbies will help to relieve nervous tension in a timely manner and avoid stress.
TREATMENT OF THE DISORDER
Diagnosis is always preceded by diagnosis. The doctor must carefully examine the patient’s medical history, evaluate the symptoms and signs of pathology, and exclude other diseases.
In psychiatry, conversation is of great importance at all stages of working with a patient, but before making a diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental tests should be carried out. This is the only way to identify organic pathologies of the central nervous system, infectious or chronic diseases that may have manifestations similar to neurasthenia.
Correction of a mental disorder such as neurasthenia begins with identifying the causes of the disease. For healing, it is very important to eliminate negative factors that affect a person’s psycho-emotional state. Treatment of neurasthenia is complex, it is carried out in several directions at once:
- Drug treatment. The use of medications can reduce the patient’s anxiety and irritability and improve sleep. In addition, the doctor may recommend taking vitamin complexes and products that have a general strengthening effect on the body. The decision to prescribe medications is made in each case separately, based on the characteristics of the disease.
- Psychotherapy. Psychotherapeutic influence is decisive in the treatment of neurasthenia in both men and women. The most effective method is individual psychotherapy, but work can also be carried out in groups. During the sessions, the patient can understand and work through the causes of his illness, and learn to cope with stressful situations. A psychotherapist can use cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosuggestive techniques, and biofeedback therapy (BFB therapy).
- Physiotherapy. Methods such as aromatherapy, reflexology, electrosleep, massage help to quickly restore strength and significantly improve the patient’s condition.
Non-traditional methods of treating mental disorders will also be useful. Communicating with animals, such as horses or dolphins, will help you relax and get into a positive mood. Music, drawing, and dancing have a positive impact.
The success of treatment largely depends on the patient himself, because only he himself can change his life for the better. An experienced psychotherapist will give the necessary recommendations, which will help restore the nervous system and get rid of the disorder.
HOW TO GET RID OF NEURASTENE WITH YOUR OWN STRENGTHS
It is possible to cope with neurasthenia without consulting a doctor, although this is quite difficult. However, it is worth remembering that self-correction is possible only in mild forms of the disorder. In severe cases, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
A person who realizes that he has neurasthenia must radically change his life:
- leave work for a while. It is best to take a vacation or time off. The management should be warned that you need proper rest, so you will not answer phone calls. It is advisable to turn off your phone altogether and stop using the computer (don’t answer emails, forget about the existence of social networks);
- follow the daily routine. To restore strength, you will need to normalize your diet and sleep. With neurasthenia, a person experiences difficulty falling asleep; evening walks in the fresh air will help to cope with this;
- take a break for yourself. How exactly you relax depends on personal preference. This could be watching movies, reading books or traveling. It is important to choose an activity that brings you pleasure. But you should give up doing boring routine work for a while;
- give up your bad habits. Alcoholic drinks may seem like an excellent remedy for neurasthenia, but taking them only worsens the situation. Psychological problems do not disappear, but the physical condition worsens even more. The body is already weakened, there is no need to poison it even more with alcohol and cigarettes;
- increase the body's defenses. For this purpose, you can use traditional medicine. For example, tinctures of motherwort and valerian root will help you calm down, and berry mixtures, peppermint and verbena will help you restore strength. These and other traditional medicines are rich in vitamins, minerals and other beneficial microelements necessary for a depleted body. Herbal medicines do not have a negative effect, but they should be used cautiously by people suffering from various types of allergies.
The worst enemy of neurasthenia is rest. A rested person has the strength to fight this disease. The methods listed above can also serve to prevent the development of neuroses and other mental disorders associated with overwork.
No matter how important your job is, make time to do things you love, play sports, spend more time outdoors, and build relationships with family and friends.
Stress Prevention
- Good books. Regular reading will help you take your mind off worldly worries, and escape reality in a good way.
- Make a list. The simple habit of making a daily to-do list will help you organize your life and feel confident. You can create two to-do lists: personal (go grocery shopping, send a birthday card, pick up your son from soccer) and work (demand a raise, finish a report, gossip with a new employee). Cross out completed tasks. Just be realistic - a plan that is too extensive and unfulfilled will become a source of stress.
- A look into the future. If an event fraught with stress looms before you - an important reception, an argument with your boss, drawing up the terms of a divorce - imagine a favorable development. For example, imagine how you would present your proposals to the CEO. Make sure your posture is confident, your voice is firm, and your sentences are smart. The more you replay everything in your mind, the less you will be shocked by reality.
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