Paranoid syndrome - causes, symptoms, types and treatment of delusional ideas

Paranoia is a mental illness that occurs in a chronic form. Pathology develops in middle-aged patients.

Characterized by the emergence of logical monotematic delusions. There is no progression of negative symptoms.

Neuroleptic drugs and psychotherapy are used for treatment.

Pathogenesis

disorders Many scientistsconsider paranoia an independent form of mental disorder. Pathology is characterized by gradually developing delirium, which proceeds without visual or auditory hallucinations. But often his appearance is accompanied by false memories. Over time, delirium acquires a persistent character.

The mood of the patient is in close connection with obsessions. In certain cases, it can be depressed, expansive, or elevated. In this pathology is not accompanied by a pronounced change in mental abilities. In thinking, there is a tendency to detail and thoroughness. The behavior of the patient can remain unchanged for a long time.

Provoking factors

There are no exact reasons for the appearance of the disease at this time by scientists. But specialists identified a number of factors that significantly increase the risk of pathology. These include:

• heredity;
• violation of protein metabolism;
• psychological trauma, which the patient received as a child;
• neurological and mental illness;
• long-term depression;
• neuroses;
• long-term presence in isolation from society;
• difficult life situations;
• long-term use of drugs, drugs or alcohol.

The risk group includes patients suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Paranoid syndrome and similar disorders

Paranoid syndrome is a mental disorder characterized by the presence of systematized delirium. This state develops slowly and over time the patient develops a complicated system of conclusions.

Kraepelin

The disease was described in 1863 by Emil Krepelin. However, a little later, in 1912, several forms of pathology were identified, such as paranoia and paranoid schizophrenia. In Soviet and Russian psychiatry, it is also common to separate these concepts, since they differ in the developmental pattern and clinical signs.

In contrast to paranoia, the paranoid syndrome is characterized by the presence of several delusional ideas. The disease is one of the stages of the development of paranoia schizophrenia, in rare cases is observed with the development of other different mental abnormalities.

Paranoid schizophrenia is a pathology characterized by a predominance of paranoid syndrome. Symptoms increase gradually, but paranoia is not observed.

The disease was isolated in 1912 as an independent mental disorder. Prior to this period, it was thought that paranoid schizophrenia was only a form of paranoia.

Unlike paranoia, patients retain a sense of the reality of what is happening. At the same time there are no hallucinations and systematized delirium. Pathology is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation.

History of the diagnosis of

More in detail, the paranoid syndrome began to be studied after the disease was isolated as an independent disease. In 1915 a number of scientists proved that pathology is accompanied by interpretive delusions and often all patient's thoughts are systematized.

Later, as early as 1934 in the works of V.M.Morozov has been proven that in the course of time, persistent crazy thoughts develop in patients. All conclusions have a special system and patients are confident in their rightness.

Also in the works of ABSmulevich and M.G.Shirinoy in 1972 found that in some cases the disease develops according to the type of illumination, acute and sudden.

Classification according to ICD-10

In the international classification of diseases intended for use in Russia, delusional disorders have code F 22.01.It also includes paranoiac development.

Also other delusional personality disorders, including the querulent form, refer to the section under the code F28.8 and F28.88.In the official ICD-10, paranoia does not belong to a separate section and it corresponds to a delusional disorder, the code of which is F22.0.

With a mild pathology, they speak of a paranoid disorder, the code of which is in accordance with ICD-10 F60.0.In this case, the term "paranoid" means paranoia.

In addition, there is another form of personality disorder, similar to paranoia. Paranoid schizophrenia. In the ICD, adapted for use on the territory of Russia, it refers to the rubric F22.03 - paranoid schizophrenia.

Characteristics of a typical

patient Patients suffering from paranoid syndrome are suspicious and suspicious of other people. This manifests itself in a systematized delirium. A person always believes that others have bad intentions and have a conspiracy against them. They can talk about their suspicions with a confidant. But, if this person allows himself to doubt the rightness of the patient, he immediately finds himself in the circle of conspirators.

In another case, a person seems to conspire, in which a group of people participates. The patient tells the patient about whom he meets and can trust. So he wants to protect himself and warn others about evil intentions.

A person with a paranoid syndrome believes that they are trying to deceive him or take advantage of it for their own purposes. At the same time, there is no evidence. Such relations permeate not only personal relationships, but also professional ones, regardless of the environment.

Clinical picture of

Signs of paranoia may manifest themselves in varying degrees, as the main symptoms of paranoid syndrome include:

• decreased mental activity;
• lack of ability to adequately perceive criticism;
• is suspicious;
• hostility;
• hallucinations, more often than this auditory;Megalomania;
• sensitivity;Jealousy is constant and unreasonable;
• propensity to give out fantasies for reality.

In addition, there is constant anxiety and fear. Patients suffer from depression and prolonged psychosis. Often they begin to file complaints with various instances against people who are considered their enemies and are involved in a conspiracy.

Development of the pathology of

Paranoid syndrome develops in two stages. For the first is characterized by the secrecy of delusional ideas in the behavior and actions of the patient. But the character begins to change gradually, suspicion appears. The patient adjusts his life to his fantasies, taking them for reality.

The second stage is characterized by an improvement in delusional abnormalities. The patient suffers from auditory hallucinations. Paranoid is constantly looking for surveillance, other people's voices, who call him and impose their own truths.

Often such people turn to the investigating authorities for help because of wiretapping. The patient begins to be overcome by fear, panic, anxiety. He feels himself surrounded by a secret conspiracy. He talks about his plans with caution.

The doctor can stop the development of mental disorders, psychosis, depression and constant horror.

Flow pattern

In medicine, there are several types of paranoia that differ in the signs and causes of the occurrence, these include:

1. Alcoholic .There is a background of a long reception of alcoholic beverages. One of the signs is pathological jealousy. The mania of persecution also manifests itself.
2. Involutionary .Characterized by the mania of persecution, grandeur, jealousy. Occurs at the age of 45-60 years.
3. Megalomannaya .Systematized delirium grandeur. Often a patient feels himself as a pioneer or a reformer.
4. The jealousy of .The patient always thinks that his spouse is wrong.
5. Religious .Delusional ideas of religious content.
6. Persistent .Systematized ideas of persecution.
7. Erotic .Develops more often in women 40-50 years. It is characterized by the predominance of erotic delirium.
8. The senile .Occurs in senile age.
9. Acute .It manifests itself suddenly as a result of a figurative delusion of grandeur, relationship or persecution.
10. Just as sharp expansive paranoia. Images of delirium also appear suddenly. Most often they are of a religious nature.

Diagnostic criteria

The diagnosis is based on complaints from the patient and his relatives. Often, patients do not recognize that they need help. The doctor also asks a series of questions and studies the patient's anamnesis in order to establish the cause of the disease.

Special psychological tests can also be carried out to determine the extent of the disorder and the nature of the course of the disease. Special methods of instrumental diagnostics are not carried out.

Complex of therapeutic measures

Treatment can be carried out both in inpatient and outpatient settings, depending on the patient's condition. Therapy involves the administration of neuroleptic, sedative drugs and antidepressants. Drugs are prescribed only by the doctor after examination and all psychological tests.

There are also constant conversations with the patient to change his thinking. For the treatment of the disease, the main directions are used: family psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, individual and group work. Thanks to this approach, patients can manage their emotions. It is also important support and understanding from close people.

Completely get rid of paranoia is difficult, as the patient's suspicions extend to the attending physician, and the prescribed psychotherapy is perceived as an attempt to control his thoughts and actions.

In the absence of treatment, there is a prolonged depression. Patients constantly feel fear, anxiety. This condition leads to the emergence of suicidal thoughts. Often, patients become aggressive and dangerous to others.

Paranoid syndrome is a chronic disease characterized by a mental disorder and the appearance of delusional ideas. The causes of the pathology have not been established to date. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing paranoia. Treatment consists in constant monitoring of the patient and changing his consciousness.