What is the diagnosis of accentuation of personality traits. Psychopathies and character accentuations in adolescents

To understand what character is, and in what cases it is said about accentuation, it is important to know what components it is made of, what is the difference between character and temperament.

What is a character?

Unlike temperament, character is not inherited and is not an inborn property of a person. Also, it is not characterized by constancy and immutability. Personality is formed and develops under the influence of the environment, upbringing, life experience and many other external factors. Thus, the character of each person is determined both by his social being and by his individual experience. The consequence of this is an infinite number of characters.

However, despite the fact that each person is unique ( like his experience) in the life of people there is much in common. This underlies the division of a large number of people into certain types of personality ( according to Leonhard and so on).

What is the difference between character and temperament?

Thus, temperament characterizes the dynamism of the individual, and the nature of her beliefs, views and interests. Also, a person's temperament is a genetically determined process, while character is a constantly changing structure.
The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates described four variants of temperament, which received the following names - sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, melancholic temperament. However, further studies of the higher nervous activity of animals and humans ( including those conducted by Pavlov), proved that the basis of temperament is a combination of certain nervous processes.

From a scientific point of view, temperament is called natural features behaviors typical of the individual.

The components that determine temperament are:

• General activity. It manifests itself at the level of mental activity and human behavior and is expressed in varying degrees of motivation and the desire to manifest oneself in a variety of activities. The expression of general activity is different for different people.
• Motor or motor activity. Reflects the state of the motor and speech motor apparatus. It manifests itself in the speed and intensity of movements, the pace of speech, as well as in its external mobility ( or, conversely, restraint).
• emotional activity. Expressed in the degree of perception ( sensitivity) to emotional influences, impulsiveness, emotional mobility.

What is a personality?

Today, a person is understood as a specific individual who is a representative of his society, nationality, class or team. Modern psychologists and sociologists in the definition of personality, first of all, distinguish its social essence. A man is born a man, but he becomes a person in the process of his social and labor activity. Some may remain infantile ( immature and unfulfilled) individuals throughout life. Biological factors, factors of the social environment, upbringing and many other aspects influence the formation and development of a personality.

Accentuation of character according to Lichko

• hyperthymic type;
• cycloid type;
• labile type;
• astheno-neurotic type;
• sensitive type;
• psychasthenic type;
• schizoid type;
• epileptoid type;
• hysteroid type;
• unstable type;
• conformal type.

Hyperthymic type

The first significant difficulties appear during adaptation at school. Good academic abilities, a lively mind and the ability to grasp everything on the fly are combined with restlessness, increased distractibility and indiscipline. This behavior affects their uneven learning - a hyperthymic child has both high and low grades in his diary. A distinctive feature of such children is always a good mood, which is harmoniously combined with good health and often blooming appearance.

The most painful and distinct in such adolescents is the reaction of emancipation. The constant struggle for independence gives rise to constant conflicts with parents, teachers, educators. Trying to escape from the care of the family, hyperthymic teenagers sometimes run away from home, although not for long. True escapes from home are rare for this personality type.

The family usually plays a decisive role in the accentuation of a hyperthymic personality. The factors that determine the accentuation are hyperprotection, petty control, cruel dictatorship, as well as dysfunctional intra-family relationships.

Cycloid type

Typical cycloids in childhood are not much different from their peers. However, already with the onset of puberty, they experience the first subdepressive phase. Teenagers become lethargic and irritable. They may complain of lethargy, lack of energy, and that learning is becoming increasingly difficult. Society begins to weigh them down, which is why teenagers begin to avoid the company of their peers. Very quickly they become lethargic homebodies - they sleep a lot, walk a little.

Teenagers react to any remarks or calls for socialization by their parents with irritation, sometimes rudeness and anger. However, serious failures in school or personal life can deepen the depression and cause violent reactions, often with suicidal attempts. Often at this moment they fall under the supervision of a psychiatrist. Similar phases in typical cycloids last two to three weeks.

In labile cycloids, unlike typical ones, the phases are much shorter - several good days are quickly replaced by several bad ones. Within one period ( single phase) short mood swings are fixed - from a bad disposition to causeless euphoria. Often these mood swings are triggered by minor news or events. But, unlike other personality types, there is no excessive emotional reaction.

Behavioral reactions in adolescents are moderate and delinquent ( runaways from home, acquaintance with drugs) is not characteristic of them. The risk of alcoholism and suicidal behavior is present only in the depressive phase.

labile type

Over time, mood swings begin to be noted. At the same time, the mood changes frequently and excessively abruptly, while the reasons for such changes are insignificant. It can be either the unfriendly look of a random interlocutor, or inopportunely gone rain. Almost any event can plunge a labile teenager into despondency. At the same time, interesting news or a new costume can cheer you up and distract you from the existing reality.

The labile type is characterized not only by frequent and abrupt changes, but also by their significant depth. A good mood affects all aspects of a teenager's life. It affects well-being, appetite, sleep and ability to work. Accordingly, the same environment can evoke different emotions - people seem either cute and interesting, or boring and boring.

Labile teenagers are extremely vulnerable to censure, reprimands and condemnations, deeply worrying inside themselves. Often, troubles or minor losses can lead to the development of reactive depressions. At the same time, any praise or sign of attention brings them sincere joy. Emancipation in the labile type occurs very moderately and manifests itself in the form of short flashes. As a rule, in families where they feel love and care, they feel good.

Astheno-neurotic type

The main features of adolescents of this type of accentuation are increased irritability, fatigue and a tendency to hypochondria. Irritation is noted for an insignificant reason and sometimes pours out on people who accidentally fall under the hot hand. However, it is quickly replaced by remorse. Unlike other types, there is neither a pronounced force of affect, nor duration, nor violent fury. Fatigue, as a rule, manifests itself in mental activities, while physical activity is better tolerated. The tendency to hypochondria is manifested by careful care of one's health, the heart becomes a frequent source of hypochondriacal experiences.

Runaways from home, addiction to drugs and alcoholism are not typical for adolescents with this type. However, this does not exclude other adolescent behavioral responses. They are drawn to peers, but quickly get tired of them and look for rest or loneliness. Relationships with the opposite sex are usually limited to short bursts.

sensitive type

They are extremely attached to close people, even if they treat them coldly and harshly. They stand out among other children by obedience, they are often known as a domestic and obedient child. However, there are difficulties at school, because it frightens them with a crowd of peers, fuss and fights. Despite this, they study diligently, although they are embarrassed to answer in front of the class and answer much less than what they know.

The pubertal period usually passes without special bursts and complications. The first significant difficulties in adaptation arise at the age of 18-19. In this period, the main characteristics of the type are maximally manifested - extreme impressionability and a sense of one's own insufficiency.

Sensitive adolescents retain their childhood attachment to the family, and therefore the reaction of emancipation is rather weakly expressed. Excessive reproaches and lectures from the outside cause tears and despair, and not the protest characteristic of adolescents.

Sensitive individuals grow up early, and they also develop a sense of duty and high moral requirements early. At the same time, these requirements are addressed both to oneself and to others. Adolescents most painfully express a sense of their own inferiority, which with age turns into a hypercompensation reaction. This is manifested by the fact that they are looking for self-affirmation not on the side of their abilities ( where they can open up the most), but where they feel their inferiority. Timid and shy teenagers apply a mask of swagger, trying to show their arrogance, energy and will. But very often, as soon as the situation requires them to act, they pass.

Another weak link of the sensitive type is the attitude of others around them. They are extremely sensitive to situations where they become the object of ridicule or suspicion, or when the slightest shadow falls on their reputation.

Psychasthenic type

The main features of the psychasthenic type are:

• indecision;
• propensity to reason;
• anxious suspiciousness;
• love for introspection;
• the formation of obsessions - obsessive fears and fears;
• the formation of compulsions - obsessive actions and rituals.

Specially invented signs and rituals become protection from this anxiety for the future. For example, when going to school, it is necessary to bypass all the hatches, in no case stepping on their covers. Do not touch the door handles before entering the school. With the next alarm for the mother, it is necessary to pronounce a spell invented by yourself. In parallel with obsession, a psychasthenic teenager has indecision. Any, even a minor choice ( going to the cinema or choosing a juice), can be the subject of long and painful hesitation. However, after the decision has been made, it must be immediately executed, since psychasthenics cannot wait, showing extreme impatience.

As with other types, overcompensation reactions can be noted here, in this case in relation to their indecision. Such a reaction is manifested in them by exaggerated decisiveness in those moments when prudence and caution are required. This, in turn, results in a tendency to introspection about the motives of their actions and actions.

Schizoid type

Other characteristics of the schizoid type are:

• isolation;
• inability to establish contacts;
• reduced need for communication.

Some teenagers, after all, sometimes try to make acquaintances and make any contacts. However, most often this ends in failure and disappointment. As a result of failures, they often withdraw even more into themselves.

The coldness of schizoids is explained by their lack of intuition ( inability to penetrate other people's experiences) and lack of empathy ( inability to share the joy or sorrow of another). Based on this, the actions of a schizoid teenager can be cruel, and this is not due to the desire to hurt someone, but to the inability to feel the suffering of others. The reaction of emancipation also proceeds in a very peculiar way. In the family, schizoid children can endure guardianship, obey a certain routine and regimen. But, at the same time, they react violently to the intrusion into their world of interests and hobbies. Also in society, they are furiously indignant at the existing rules and regulations, expressing their protest with ridicule. Such judgments can be nurtured and implemented in public speeches for a long time.

Despite isolation and isolation, schizoid adolescents have hobbies that are usually brighter than others. In the first place there are intellectual and aesthetic hobbies ( hobby). Most often this is strictly selective reading. Adolescents may be interested in a certain era in history, it can be a strictly defined genre of literature or a certain trend in philosophy. Moreover, enthusiasm may not correlate in any way ( not be related) to their needs. For example, it may be a passion for Sanskrit or Hebrew. Moreover, it is never exposed otherwise it will be regarded as an invasion of privacy) and is often hidden.
In addition to intellectual hobbies, hobbies of the manual-bodily type are also noted. It can be gymnastics, swimming or yoga exercises. At the same time, training is combined with a complete lack of interest in collective sports games.

epileptoid type

Other characteristics of the epileptoid type are:

• emotional explosiveness;
• constant tension;
• cognitive ( mental) viscosity;
• stiffness;
• inertia.

The first signs of psychopathy are found in early childhood. From an early age, such children are distinguished by gloomy anger. Their dysphoria is manifested by whims, the desire to deliberately harass others. Unfortunately, sadistic tendencies are already noted at an early age - such children love to torture animals, beat and tease the younger and weaker. And, they do it all on the sly. Also, such children are notable for the childish frugality of their clothes and toys, as well as petty accuracy in things. To any attempts to touch their things, they react with an extremely vicious reaction.

The full picture of epileptoid psychopathy unfolds during puberty, starting at 12-13 years of age. It is characterized mainly by pronounced affective ( emotional) discharges that are the result of prolonged and painful dysphoria. In such categories there is abuse, severe beatings, rage and cynicism. Often the reason for anger may be small and insignificant, but it always concerns the personal interests of a teenager. In a fit of rage, such a teenager is able to throw his fists at a stranger, hit a parent in the face, or push a toddler down the stairs.

Attraction to the opposite sex awakens with force, but is always colored by gloomy tones of jealousy. They never forgive betrayals, both real and imaginary, and flirting is interpreted as a serious betrayal.

The reaction of emancipation proceeds very painfully in epileptoid adolescents. The struggle for independence causes them extreme anger and vindictiveness. They do not so much demand freedom and deliverance from power, but rights - their share of property and material wealth. It is also extremely painful for this type of personality to have reactions of passion. Almost everyone is prone to gambling, collecting. Very often they are driven by an instinctive desire for enrichment. Hobbies include sports, music and singing.

Self-esteem is one-sided. Most adolescents of this type note their tendency to a gloomy mood and commitment to the rules, accuracy. However, they do not recognize their peculiarities in relationships with others.

hysteroid type

Other characteristics of the hysterical personality type are:

• increased suggestibility;
• deceit;
• fantasizing;
• theatricality;
• propensity for drawing and posturing;
• lack of deep sincere feelings with a great expression of emotions.

To attract attention, children begin to manipulate, show various demonstrative reactions. Over time, suicidality becomes the main behavioral response. In this case, we are talking about a demonstration and suicidal blackmail, and not about serious attempts. Suicidal blackmail is characterized by safe methods - vein cuts are made on the forearm or shoulder, medicines are selected from a home medicine cabinet ( citramon, activated charcoal). Also, they are always designed for the viewer - attempts to jump out of the window or throw themselves under the wheels of the transport are made in front of those present. Such suicidality is always signaled - various farewell notes are written, secret confessions are made.

Teenagers may blame failed love for their attempts. However, upon careful examination of the circumstances, it turns out that this is only a romantic veil. The only reason for this behavior in the hysteroid type is wounded pride and lack of attention. A suicidal demonstration followed by fuss and an ambulance gives considerable satisfaction to the egocentrism of a hysterical teenager.

Another distinguishing characteristic is the "flight into the disease" of hysterical adolescents. Very often they portray mysterious illnesses, and sometimes even seek to get into a psychiatric hospital. Once in it, they thus gain a reputation for being unusual.

Hobbies, including alcoholism or drug use, are also demonstrative. Already in adult life hysteroid personalities retain the features of childish opposition, imitation, and infantilism. As a rule, the reaction of the opposition ( negativism) manifests itself in the loss of habitual attention and the loss of the role of an idol. A similar reaction manifests itself in the same way as in childhood - going into illness, suicidal behavior, attempts to get rid of the one to whom attention has switched. For example, if another family member appeared ( new baby, mother's new husband), then all attempts will be addressed in his direction.

At this point, teenagers begin to signal themselves with addiction to drinking or drugs, leaving and absenteeism, and sometimes even stealing. In this way, they seem to be saying to return their former attention to them, otherwise they will go astray.
The hobbies of this psychotype are always concentrated around their own egocentrism. They prefer ensembles, stage, theaters. Self-esteem in adolescents with this type of character is far from objectivity.

Unstable type

They can complete tasks and not shirk only with very strict supervision. They have an increased craving for entertainment, idleness and total idleness. They run away from lessons just to walk down the street. In their choice, they are extremely unstable and try literally everything - they steal and start smoking, while still children. Growing up quickly, they lose interest in their former hobbies and are constantly looking for thrills and new sensations. The painful reaction of emancipation is also connected with this - adolescents seek to free themselves from guardianship in order to indulge in entertainment. They never have true love for relatives, including parents, and they treat their troubles and worries with indifference. Basically, they use their family ties as a source of material wealth. Alone, they feel bad, as they are unable to occupy themselves. As a result, they are constantly drawn to teenage groups of all kinds. However, cowardice and lack of initiative do not allow a labile teenager to take the place of a leader in them.

Teenage hobbies are mainly concentrated around gambling. Those disciplines that require hard work disgust them. They can only work when absolutely necessary, but soon everything is quickly abandoned. Any difficulty or threat of punishment for not doing the job elicits one behavioral response - to run away. Unstable teenagers do not make plans, do not dream of anything or any profession. They amaze with their complete indifference to the future.

One of the main features of unstable types is weak will. It is this feature that can keep them in a regulated regime for some time. They can only reconcile themselves if idleness threatens severe punishment, and there is nowhere to run. The weak point of the unstable is the lack of supervision. Self-assessment of adolescents is far from objectivity, often adolescents ascribe to themselves the desired traits.

Conformal type

Representatives of this accentuated type are people of their environment. Their main rule is to think like everyone else and act like everyone else. The desire to join the majority makes them imitators in everything - from clothing and home furnishings to worldview points. Even in childhood, this is especially noticeable in the choice of clothes, school supplies, hobbies. If something new appears in society ( e.g. style), then initially representatives of the conformal type vehemently reject everything. But as soon as a new trend flows into society, for example, they themselves dress in the same clothes or listen to the same music as everyone else.

Because of the desire to be in tune with their surroundings, conforming teenagers can't resist anything. Therefore, they are a copy of their microenvironment. In a good environment, they absorb all the good, in a bad environment, all the bad customs and habits. Quite often, such teenagers can drink too much for the company or can be involved in group offenses.

Their professional success is largely due to two qualities - the lack of initiative and criticism. They can work hard, as long as the work does not require constant personal initiative. Even highly stressful work is to their liking, if it is clearly regulated. They are also remarkably uncritical. Everything that their environment says becomes the truth for them. Adolescents are not inclined to change their group and choose the educational institution where the majority of their comrades go. Deprived of initiative, conformists often find themselves drawn into group offenses. Therefore, the most severe mental trauma for them is expulsion from the group. Emancipation is weakly expressed, and hobbies are determined by the environment of a teenager and the fashion of that time.

Intermediate types of accentuation

Intermediate types include the labile-cycloid and conformally hyperthymic types, as well as combinations of the labile type with the astheno-neurotic and sensitive types. The formation of intermediate types is due to the peculiarities of development in the early period, upbringing factors and, above all, genetic factors.

Intermediate accentuated types are:

• schizoid-sensitive;
• schizoid-psychasthenic;
• schizoid-epileptoid;
• hysteroid-epileptoid;
• labile-cycloid;
• conformally hyperthymic.

Options for amalgam types are:

• schizoid unstable;
• epileptoid-unstable;
• hysteroid-unstable;
• conformally unstable.

Classification of an accentuated character according to Leonhard

• demonstrative;
• pedantic;
• stuck;
• excitable.

stuck type

Any injustice can cause a strong and violent reaction. However, emotions subside after the person "gave vent to feelings." Anger also subsides very quickly, especially when the offender can be punished. If the emotional explosion did not take place, the affect continues much more slowly. In cases where a stuck person could not respond either in word or deed, internal tension can drag on. At the same time, one has only to return the thought to what happened, as all emotions come to life, and a new explosion is brewing. Thus, the affect in such a person will last until the inner experiences completely disappear.

Equally, such psychotypes react to social injustice. Therefore, among them there are often fighters for civil justice and freedom.
Traits of stuckness also appear in case of failure of the individual, since ambition is very bright in such people. As a result, they show arrogance and arrogance.

Pedantic type

Pedantic people are extremely slow to make decisions, they take all issues seriously, both work and household. In their discussions, pedants can bring others to white heat. Surrounding people perceive scrupulousness and pedantry as banal tediousness.

The main feature of this character is total rigidity, which determines the unwillingness to any changes. Also, due to weak displacement mechanisms ( or their complete absence.) traumatic events are experienced by pedants for a very long time. The inability to oust trauma from memory leads to the fact that pedants return to it again and again. All this leads to even greater indecision and inability to respond quickly. The pedantic type is non-conflict by nature, but reacts very strongly to violations of the established order.

Other qualities of a pedantic personality are:

• punctuality;
• conscientiousness;
• accuracy;
• focus on high quality;
• indecision.

excitable type

The main characteristic is instinctiveness - the desire to satisfy their needs and desires at this very moment. Such excitability is very difficult to extinguish, which is why people of this psychotype are often quite irritable and intolerant of others. At the moment of excitement, they do not think about the consequences, give a weak assessment of what is happening, and deny any criticism.

Impulsivity of a pathological nature is noted in all spheres of life, including in inclinations. Such individuals eat and drink everything in a row, are impulsive and promiscuous in the sexual sphere. Most of them become chronic alcoholics. They do not think about the danger or the consequences for themselves and for family life. Among chronic alcoholics one can find many excitable personalities. Promiscuity in sexual relations leads to the fact that such people have many illegitimate children at an early age, both in women and men. Many of them may enter the path of prostitution.

The excitable type is in many ways similar to epileptic psychopathy. This is manifested in the heaviness of thinking, slowness of thought processes and the difficult perception of other people's thoughts. The state of constant emotional arousal provokes multiple conflicts. As a result, such people often do not take root in any team. This is also aggravated by the fact that some of them support their opinion not only with shouts and all sorts of demonstrations, but also with fists. Also, such people are characterized by destructive behavior - the destruction of objects, breaking glass, and the like.

Demonstrative type

As they grow older, they continue to fantasize, using deception to get attention. This is explained by the fact that the spoken words seem to them at the moment the truth. Another character trait is connected with this - the ability to forget what a person does not want to remember.
The demonstrative type is characterized by a constant desire to be in the spotlight. To get attention, such people tend to adapt very quickly to a new environment. Thus, the demonstrative type is distinguished by mobility and, at the same time, inconstancy.

In view of their originality of thinking and actions, demonstrative people can carry others around with them. At the same time, they often focus on themselves, which can turn people off.

Other types of Leonhard accentuations are:

• Hyperthymic accentuation. These are very active people who are characterized by sociability and restlessness. In communication with them, gestures, active facial expressions and other non-verbal means of communication prevail.
• Disty accentuation. Unlike the previous type, these are serious people who are often depressed. They are characterized by silence, pessimism and low self-esteem. As a rule, these are homebodies.
• Anxious accentuation. This type is characterized by shyness, fearfulness and self-doubt. They are worried about various fears, they are painfully hard going through troubles. Also, from an early age, they are responsible, tactful, endowed with high moral qualities.
• exalted accentuation. Differs in sociability, exaltation and altruism. However, this does not prevent such individuals from quickly falling into depressive states.
• Emotive accentuation. This type is characterized by increased empathy - a heightened sense of interconnection and sympathy for other people.
• Cyclotypic accentuation. This type is distinguished by a combination of hyperthymic and dysthymic features, which appear alternately.

Psychopathies and character accentuations in adolescents

• totality;
• resistance;
• violation of social adaptation.

Despite the fact that the degree of character anomalies is difficult to quantification, psychologists and psychiatrists still distinguish degrees of accentuations. These degrees are based on certain indicators.

Indicators that affect the severity of psychopathy are:

• severity, duration and frequency of decompensations ( breakdowns), phases;
• the severity of social behavioral disorders;
• degree of social ( work, family) maladaptation;
• degree of self-esteem ( criticality of a psychopath to his own person).

Severe psychopathy

Pronounced degree of psychopathy

Moderate degree of psychopathy

Psychopathic development and marginal psychopathy

In diagnosing this anomaly of character, it is important not only to identify the main accentuated features, but also to state the harmful influence of the environment. Often this is wrong defective) upbringing.

The most common types of defective parenting that influence the formation of psychopathy are:

• Hypoprotection. This type of defective upbringing is characterized by a lack of care and control over behavior. At the same time, hypoprotection is not limited to meeting essential needs, that is, children do not go naked and hungry. Basically, this concerns the lack of attention, care and true interest of parents in the affairs of a teenager. Hypoprotection can also be hidden, when control over the behavior of a teenager seems to be carried out, but in fact it is only a formalism. This type of upbringing is especially dangerous when accentuated by unstable and conformal types. As a result, teenagers find themselves in asocial companies and quickly adopt a bad lifestyle. Also, the lack of care is very detrimental in hyperthymic, epileptoid and schizoid accentuation.
• Dominant overprotection. This type of defective parenting is characterized by overprotectiveness, petty control, and even surveillance. Such constant control grows into a whole system of permanent prohibitions. In turn, permanent bans and the inability to take even minor own solutions confuse teenager. Very often, children and adolescents create the following system of values ​​- everything is impossible for him with adults, but everything is possible for his peers. This type of upbringing does not allow a teenager to analyze his own actions and learn independence. In addition, a sense of responsibility and duty is suppressed, the teenager ceases to be responsible for his own actions. Hyperprotection is most dangerous for hyperthymic adolescents, since it leads to a sharp increase in the emancipation reaction. Teenagers, or even children, rebel against oppression in the most aggressive ways.
• Emotional rejection. Characterized by emotional coldness, lack of care and affection. With this type of defective parenting, the child or adolescent constantly feels that he is burdened and that he is a burden in the life of his parents. Often such defective parenting takes place within the framework of hidden emotional rejection on the part of parents when they do not recognize the true hardships with their son or daughter. Allegedly, common sense suppresses in them this rejection of children as unworthy. Sometimes such rejection turns into a reaction of hypercompensation in the form of emphasized care and exaggerated attention. However, such a false attitude is well felt by a child and especially a teenager. The schizoid teenager reacts to such insincerity by withdrawing into himself, erecting more big wall between themselves and family. The unstable type rushes to look for an outlet in the company of friends.
• terms of abusive relationships. This type of defective upbringing is manifested by open and severe reprisals for petty offenses. At the same time, very often the child is simply “teared off evil”. However, abusive relationships are not limited to a child or teenager. A similar heavy and harsh atmosphere dominates the entire environment. Very often, brutal reprisals are hidden from prying eyes, and the family looks “healthy” in appearance. Education in conditions of cruel relationships is very dangerous for the epileptoid and conformal types. In this case, there is a high risk psychopathic development. However, mental indifference and beatings are reflected in an unhealthy way on other types of personalities. In such families, the highest risk of developing psychopathy.

Diagnosis of character accentuations and psychopathy

• first scale ( hypochondria scale) measures the features of the astheno-neurotic personality type;
• second scale ( depression scale) indicates a hypothymic personality type;
• third scale ( hysteria scale) designed to identify individuals prone to neurotic conversion reactions ( hysterical) type;
• fourth scale ( psychopathy scale) - diagnoses a sociopathic personality type;
• fifth scale- is not used to diagnose a personality type, but is used to determine male or female personality traits ( imposed by society);
• sixth scale ( paranoid scale) characterizes touchiness and diagnoses the paranoid type;
• seventh scale ( anxiety and psychosis) is intended for diagnosing an anxious and suspicious personality type;
• eighth scale ( schizophrenia and autism scale) determines the degree of emotional alienation, indicates the schizoid type and the autistic spectrum;
• ninth scale ( hypomania scale) indicates a hyperthymic personality type.

In addition to the MMPI test, the Cattell questionnaire and the Schmishek test are used in the diagnosis of accentuations and psychopathy. The first questionnaire is a widely used assessment method individual features personality and is intended to describe individual-personal relationships. The Schmishek test is focused on diagnosing accentuation according to Leonhard.

Schmishek's test for diagnosing the type of accentuation according to Leonhard

There are two versions of this technique - adult and children.
They consist of the same number of questions and, accordingly, have the same types of accentuations. The difference lies in the wording of the questions, that is, the children's version contains questions adapted for children, the adult - for adults. The theoretical basis of both options is the theory of accentuated personalities, according to which all personality traits are divided into basic and additional. The main features are the core of personality, they determine the character of a person.

Carl Leonhard- an outstanding German psychiatrist, known for his approach to the diagnosis and differentiation of the most common mental illness - schizophrenia. He was a follower of the views of K. Kleist, who believed that, as in neurological diseases, mental disorders should be explained by pathological processes that have their localization in the brain, and the very nature of schizophrenia lies in hereditary degeneration. But nevertheless, in the history of psychiatry and psychology, Leonhard remains as the author of the concept of accentuated personalities. The development of precisely this question is of the greatest interest and necessity for my work.

The concept of accentuated personalities presented in this work is based on the monograph Normal and Pathological Personalities, written and published in 1964 (VEB. Volk und Gesundheit Publishing House). Much has been borrowed from this monograph. Many corrections and additions were made to the second edition, and in March 1975 in Berlin the book of the ball was completed and sent to print. However, it is published in the USA by Donald Press, New-York, in 1976.

The first part of the monograph provides a psychological and clinical analysis of various accentuated personalities, i.e. people with a peculiar sharpening of personality traits and a special response.

The second part is, as it were, an illustration of the first, i. it is a character analysis of the characters classical works world literature over thirty writers: Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gogol, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Balzac, Goethe, Stendhal and others. In the preface to his work, the author explains his desire not to be "an unfounded scientist, but to specifically confirm theoretical reasoning good examples taken from the life or from the books of great writers - psychologists.

This work is devoted to personalities not pathological, but normal, although accentuated. If their depiction is sometimes so vivid and expressive that one gets the impression that the described people are pathological, then this is due only to the intention of one or another author to emphasize the analyzed personality traits as sharply as possible. That is why Leonhard refers to Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, explaining that Dostoevsky shows with exceptional force the differences in the behavior of different people. Accentuated personalities, representing no more than scientific interest in a business professional description, thanks to Dostoevsky become close to us, we perceive them more directly, visibly. To some critics, Dostoevsky's characters seemed pathological. However, according to the author, this opinion is based on a misunderstanding: precisely because Dostoevsky portrayed the psychology and actions of people so figuratively, so excitingly, they were attributed a pathological character. In fact, the behavior of all the characters is the behavior of perfectly normal people.

Everything is described in a living literary language, and the terms are explained in great detail, which makes it inappropriate to publish a special glossary.

In this work, Leonhard does not define the term “accentuation” he introduced, moreover, he considers accentuation to be a characteristic of temperament, but this is worth dwelling on.

accentuation- this is an excessive sharpening of individual personality traits. If in a normal person all life difficulties are connected with the difficulties of the external situation, and not with oneself, then with a hidden feature, associated with inclinations or abilities, they are corrected by proper education. And in communication, signs of accentuation are not revealed, but the person herself experiences certain difficulties. When compensatory mechanisms begin to fail, then signs of accentuation can come out. With implicit accentuation, personality traits appear only in special cases when a person encounters an obstacle. If the life of an accentuated personality develops unfavorably, then a complete deformation of the personality may occur, which is difficult to distinguish from psychopathy.

Accentuated personality traits.

demonstrative personalities.

The essence of the demonstrative or hysterical type lies in the anomalous capacity for repression. The meaning of the process of repression is convincingly illustrated in a passage from Nietzsche ("Beyond Good and Evil"). “I did it,” my memory tells me, “I could not do it,” my pride tells me, which remains implacable in this dispute. And then comes the moment when the memory finally recedes.

In fact, each of us has the ability to do this with unpleasant facts. However, this repressed knowledge usually remains at the threshold of consciousness, so it cannot be completely ignored. In hysterics, this ability goes very far: they can completely “forget” about what they do not want to know, they are able to lie without realizing at all that they are lying.

Pedantic personalities.

In persons of the pedantic type, in contrast to the demonstrative type, the mechanisms of repression are extremely poorly represented in mental activity. If the actions of hysterics are characterized by a lack of reasonable weighing, then pedants "drag" with a decision even when the stage of preliminary deliberation is finally completed. Before they take action, they want to make sure once again that a better solution cannot be found, that better options do not exist. The pedant is not able to displace doubts, and this slows down his actions. Thus, the thoughtlessness of hysterics is opposed by the indecisiveness of pedants. Of course, the decisions that the pedantic subject's hesitations are associated with must be important to him to some extent. That which is of no serious importance to a person, the consciousness displaces without any difficulty; for this, even a pedant does not need to make a special decision.

Stuck personalities.

The basis of the stuck, paranoid type of personality accentuation is the pathological persistence of affect.

Feelings that can evoke strong reactions usually subside after the reactions are "let loose": the anger of an angry person goes out if the person who angered or offended him can be punished; The fear of the timid person disappears if the source of fear is eliminated. In those cases when an adequate reaction for some reason did not take place, the affect stops much more slowly, but still, if the individual mentally turns to other topics, then normally the affect passes after a while. Even if an angry person could not react to an unpleasant situation either in word or deed, then nevertheless it is possible that the next day he will not feel strong irritation against the offender; a fearful person who has not managed to get away from a fearful situation still feels, after a while, freed from fear. In a stuck personality, the picture is different: the affect stops much more slowly, and as soon as the thought returns to what happened, the emotions accompanying stress immediately come to life. The affect of such a person is very long time, although no new experiences will activate it.

Excitable personalities.

A very interesting personality with insufficient controllability of character. This is manifested in the fact that it is not prudence, not the logical weighing of one's actions, but inclinations, instincts, uncontrollable impulses that are often decisive for a person's lifestyle and behavior. What is suggested by the mind is not taken into account.

The reactions of excitable personalities are impulsive. If they do not like something, they do not look for an opportunity to reconcile, tolerance is alien to them. On the contrary, both in facial expressions and in words, they give vent to irritability, openly declare their demands, or even retire angrily. As a result, such individuals, on the most trifling occasion, come into contact with superiors and employees, are rude, aggressively throw away work, file a letter of resignation, without realizing the possible consequences. The reasons for dissatisfaction can be very different: either they do not like the way we are treated in this enterprise, or the salary is small, or they are not satisfied with the work process. Only in rare cases we are talking about the severity of the work itself, because excitable individuals, as a rule, have a tendency to engage in physical labor and can boast here of higher indicators than other people. They are most often annoyed not so much by hard work as by organizational moments. As a result of systematic friction, there is a frequent change of place of work.

As the anger of a person with increased excitability increases, he usually moves from words to “deeds”, i.e. to manhandling. It happens that the assault of excitable people is ahead of words, since such people are generally not very inclined to exchange opinions. After all, the exchange of opinions is equivalent to the exchange of thoughts, and the level of thinking of such people is quite low. And yet you can’t say that the actions and actions of these impulsive people are reckless, rather, on the contrary, their annoyance grows latently, gradually intensifies and is looking for a way out, détente.

Hyperthymic personalities.

Hyperthymic natures always look at life optimistically, overcome sadness without much difficulty, in general it is not difficult for them to live in the world. High spirits is combined with a thirst for activity, increased talkativeness and a tendency to constantly deviate from the topic of conversation, which sometimes leads to a jump in thoughts. Hyperthymic accentuation of the personality is not always fraught with negative consequences, it can have a beneficial effect on the whole way of life of a person. Thanks to the increased thirst for activity, they achieve industrial and creative success. The thirst for activity stimulates their initiative, constantly pushes them to search for something new. Deviation from main idea gives rise to many unexpected associations, ideas, which also favors active creative thinking. In society, hyperthymic personalities are brilliant interlocutors, they are constantly in the center of attention, they entertain everyone.

However, if this temperament is expressed too brightly, a positive forecast is removed. Unclouded gaiety, excessive liveliness are fraught with danger, because such people, jokingly, pass by events that should be taken seriously. They constantly have violations of ethical standards, because at certain moments they seem to lose both a sense of duty and the ability to repent. An excessive thirst for activity turns into fruitless scattering, a person takes on a lot and does not bring anything to the end. Excessive cheerfulness can turn into irritability.

Dysthymic personalities.

The dysthymic temperament is the opposite of the hyperthymic temperament. Personalities of this type are serious by nature and usually focus on the gloomy, sad sides of life to a much greater extent than on the joyful ones. Events that have shaken them deeply can bring this serious pessimistic attitude to a state of reactive depression. In society, dysthymic people almost do not participate in the conversation, only occasionally inserting remarks after long pauses.

A serious attitude brings to the fore subtle, lofty feelings that are incompatible with human egoism. A serious attitude leads to the formation of a serious ethical position. A negative manifestation is passivity in actions and slow thinking in those cases when they go beyond the norm.

Affectively - labile personality type.

Affectively - labile, or cyclothymic, personalities are people who are characterized by a change in hyperthymic and dysthymic states. Now one or the other of the poles comes to the fore, sometimes without any visible external motives, and sometimes in connection with one or another specific event. It is curious that joyful events evoke not only joyful emotions in such people, but are also accompanied by a general picture of hyperthymia: a thirst for activity, increased pride, a jump in ideas. Sad events cause depression, as well as slowness of reactions and thinking.

The reason for the change of poles is not always external stimuli, sometimes an elusive turn in the general mood is enough. If a cheerful society gathers, then affectively - labile individuals can be in the center of attention, be "ringleaders", amuse all those gathered. In a serious, strict environment, they can be the most withdrawn and silent.

Affectively exalted temperament.

Affectively - exalted temperament could be called the temperament of anxiety and happiness. This name emphasizes its close association with the psychosis of anxiety and happiness, which is accompanied by severe mood swings.

Affectively - exalted people react to life more violently than others, they are equally easily delighted with joyful events and despair of sad ones. From "passionate jubilation to deadly longing" they have one step. Exaltation is motivated by subtle, altruistic urges. Attachment to loved ones, friends, joy for them, for their success can be extremely strong. There are enthusiastic impulses that are not associated with a purely personal relationship. Love for music, art, nature, passion for sports, religious experiences, the search for a worldview - all this can capture an exalted person to the core.

The other pole of his reactions is his extreme sensitivity to sad facts. Pity, compassion for unfortunate people, for sick animals can bring such a person to despair. Regarding an easily correctable failure, a slight disappointment that others would have forgotten tomorrow, an exalted person may experience sincere and deep grief. He will feel some ordinary trouble of a friend more painfully than the victim himself. Even with a slight fear in an exalted personality, physiological manifestations (trembling, cold sweat) are immediately noticeable.

The fact that exaltation is associated with subtle and very human emotions explains why this temperament is especially often possessed by artistic natures - artists, poets.

Anxious (fearful) personality.

Such people are distinguished by timidity, self-doubt, there is a component of humility, humiliation. Overcompensation is possible in the form of self-confident or even impudent behavior, but its unnaturalness immediately catches the eye. At times, fearfulness joins timidity.

Emotive personalities.

Emotivity is characterized by sensitivity and deep reactions in the field of subtle emotions. It is not rude feelings that excite these people, but those that we associate with the soul, with humanity and responsiveness. Usually such people are called soft-hearted. They are more compassionate than others, more amenable to emotion, experiencing a special joy from communicating with nature, with works of art. Sometimes they are characterized as sincere people.

In a conversation with emotive personalities, it is immediately clear how deeply they are affected by the feelings they speak about, since all this is clearly expressed by their facial expressions. Tearfulness is especially characteristic of them: they cry, talking about a movie with a sad ending, about a sad story. It is just as easy for them to have tears of joy, emotion. Emotive children are often not allowed to read fairy tales, because when the plot turns sad, they immediately begin to cry. Even men often cannot help crying, which they admit with considerable embarrassment.

The special sensitivity of nature leads to the fact that mental upheavals have a painfully deep effect on such people and cause depression. A person of an emotive warehouse cannot be “infected” with fun in a cheerful society; he cannot become either laughable or happy for no reason.

Of particular interest is the "Combination of accentuated character traits and temperament." The author does not set himself the goal of showing all possible combinations of character traits and temperament, however, he points out that their combination will greatly expand the boundaries of understanding the personality.

It could be assumed that a demonstrative personality prone to pretense would be especially pronounced in combination with hyperthymia. But this assumption is valid only in relation to childhood, when indeed, often with such a combination, the thirst for activity entails whole line dishonest actions. In adults, on the contrary, hyperthymia often weakens immoral manifestations. Cunning, insincerity, pretense do not fit with their attitude towards life.

The combination of demonstrative character traits with hyperthymic liveliness of temperament contributes to the activation of acting data in a person.

Of particular interest is the combination of demonstrative and affective-labile traits, since both are associated with a penchant for poetic and artistic activity. Demonstrative character traits stimulate fantasy, affective-labile temperament gives rise to an emotional orientation, has a softening effect on hysterical egoism.

The pedantic character softens when combined with a hyperthymic temperament, since the latter is somewhat superficial.

There is no simple summation with a combination of pedantic and dysthymic features. However, with this combination, the specificity of both is enhanced; deviation from the norm is more significant.

Pedantry and anxious temperament belong to different mental planes. However, if both types of accentuation are observed in one person, a summing effect is possible. This is due to the fact that one of the most important signs is fear, especially in childhood.

Among the combinations of stuck character traits with temperament properties, the stuck-hyperthymic combination is especially important. Such people never find peace, they are always in high spirits.

The combination of stuckness and anxiety has a special quality. Anxiety is associated with the humiliation of human dignity. Such persons are weak, helpless. Stuck personalities cannot bear it, they try in every possible way to force out, it is very easy to set their pride. This is how overcompensation occurs.

Turning to excitable accentuated personalities, it is important that when combined with other temperaments, nothing else arises, but curious varieties are possible.

character accentuation or personality accentuation- excessive strengthening of individual character traits. This feature of a person determines behavior and actions, leaves an imprint on all spheres of her activity: attitude towards herself, towards others, towards the world. Accentuation is an extreme version of the norm and is not considered a mental disorder or disease.

Prevalence. Personality accentuations are widespread, especially among adolescents. Among young people, explicit or hidden accentuations are found in 95% of those surveyed. With age, people will be able to smooth out unwanted features, and the number of accentuations is reduced to 50-60%.

The benefits and harms of accentuations. On the one hand, an accentuated trait makes a person more stable and successful in some situations. For example, people with hysterical accentuation are talented actors, and people with hyperthymic accentuation are positive, sociable and can find an approach to any person.

On the other hand, an accentuated character trait becomes a vulnerable spot of a person, complicates life for himself and those around him. Situations that are not significant for other people turn into a test for the psyche. For example, people with a hypothymic type of accentuation experience difficulties if it is necessary to get to know each other and make contact.

There is a danger that in difficult situations these enhanced character traits can develop into psychopathy, cause neurosis, become the cause of alcoholism, illegal behavior.

In what cases can accentuations develop into pathology

• Unfavorable environmental conditions that hit the accentuated feature as the weakest point, for example, for conformal accentuation, is the rejection of a person in a team.
• Long-term impact of this factor.
• The impact of an unfavorable factor during the period when a person is most vulnerable. Most often it is junior classes and adolescence.

How do accentuations differ from psychopathy?

• Explicit- manifests itself in a person's behavior in most situations, but does not violate his ability to adapt to various social situations (acquaintance, conflict, communication with friends).
• Hidden- does not manifest itself in life, can be detected only in critical situations that affect accentuated character traits.

Types of accentuation

hysteroid type

• Eagerness to get attention surrounding to his person. They seek attention by all means - actions, manner of dressing and speaking, appearance. They demand from others respect, surprise, sympathy, in extreme cases, anger. Appearance bright, attractive. Even in the absence of outstanding external data, they know how to look spectacular.
• Increased emotionality. They are highly sensitive and responsive. At the same time, it is easy to carry heartache, grief and resentment, although it shows strong emotions. Some emotions are quickly replaced by others. There is a tendency to envy and jealousy. They do not tolerate if the attention of others switches to another person.
• Artistry appears in all life situations. Easily get used to any role, which facilitates adaptation to new situations. They differ in arrogant facial expressions and mannered postures.
• developed imagination and figurative thinking. They believe in what they have imagined. Suggestible. They are fond of applied magic, they believe in horoscopes. They tend to advertise and exaggerate their victories in their personal lives.
• fearful. They tend to exaggerate the danger.
• Positive features: open to communication, easily establish contact with a new person. They adapt well to new situations. Have an active life position. The desire for fame becomes a powerful motivator, which contributes to success in creative professions (actors, singers, dancers, artists).
• disadvantages: excessive emotionality, an overly sharp reaction to all events relating to one's own personality, while indifference to the problems of others. Difficulties that have arisen along the way make you abandon your plan. Do not tolerate routine work. They can easily get sick on a nervous basis - psychosomatic diseases develop. Loss of authority can lead to suicidal thoughts. They provoke conflicts, based on the desire to be in the spotlight.

epileptoid type

• Discontent and irritability. prone to negative emotions. Constantly grumbling, complaining. They fixate on the bad and think about the problem for a long time, while dissatisfaction grows until it spills out in the form of a major quarrel. The behavior model of such people is compared to a steam boiler, the temperature of which increases until an explosion occurs. After discharge, they cannot calm down for a long time. This feature distinguishes them from other types. In family life, they show despotism, arrange frequent scandals over trifles.
• Tendency towards the established order in things, deeds and relationships. They do not like changes, permutations. They keep order themselves and force others, especially family members and subordinates. Clutter can lead to a big fight. Emphasis is placed on rationality, not purity.
• Easy attitude to moral standards. In actions, they are guided only by their own opinion, therefore they can cross the norms of morality, especially in a fit of anger. They can be rude, show disrespect for elders, physical violence towards children and animals. At the same time, they will not even notice the misconduct, and will not be tormented by remorse.
• Structured thinking. Making decisions based on common sense and logic. However, this does not prevent them from reaching fits of rage if their desires are not fulfilled. They don't consider alternatives. They believe that their point of view is the only correct one.
• incredulity, based on critical thinking. They don't take their word for it, they demand proof. Do not trust strangers. They do not believe in horoscopes and predictions.
• It is difficult to adapt to a new situation.
• Positive features: scrupulousness, increased accuracy, taking care of one's health, the ability to receive benefits, the ability to defend one's interests. In a calm state, they show extreme kindness and care for family members and animals. Energetic and active in matters of maintaining order, which can become part of the profession - managers, managers, housekeepers.
• disadvantages violent fits of anger, after which they cool down for a long time, gloom, intolerance to contradictions, lack of respect for other people's opinions. These aspects of character provoke dissatisfaction with others, frequent conflicts in the family and at work. Possible addiction to alcohol, sexual perversion, sadistic inclinations.

Schizoid type

• Closure. They do not know how and do not want to communicate with others. Strive for loneliness. After trying to make an acquaintance, they note that they have nothing to talk about with a person, which causes disappointment and withdrawal into themselves.
• Combination of conflicting properties: shyness and tactlessness, sensitivity and indifference, compliance and stubbornness.
• Lack of intuition about feelings other people. They cannot understand whether the interlocutor treats them well or badly, how he reacted to their words.
• The inability to empathize. Indifferent, do not show emotions in communication.
• Secretive don't show your inner world. Open only to like-minded people.
• Unusual interests and hobbies. Reading literature of a certain genre, drawing churches, calligraphy, sometimes collecting (for example, only flower stamps).
• Positive features: developed imagination, creativity, Creative skills, passion for non-team sports to improve your body (cycling, yoga), playing musical instruments(guitar, violin).
• disadvantages. Sometimes there may be a penchant for peeping or exhibitionism, they may take small doses of alcohol or soft drugs to overcome shyness in communication.

1. Cycloid type. Accentuation causes a periodic change in mood (duration of periods from several days to 2 weeks). Distinctive features:

• undulating mood swings. Each phase can last 1-2 weeks. Sometimes there are breaks in "balance" between them. Cycloid accentuation is common in adolescents and smoothes out with age.
• Rise periods The person is full of energy and desire to work. At this time, the cycloids are cheerful and sociable, striving for leadership, achieving success in school and at work. They do not tolerate loneliness, boredom, monotony.
• Recession periods or subdepression- mood and performance are sharply reduced. There is no desire to communicate, do anything, drowsiness develops. They strive for loneliness, entertainment loses its appeal. Become too sensitive to criticism and vulnerable. Self-esteem is sharply reduced, thoughts about their uselessness, inferiority appear.
• Positive features: in the lifting phase, a person is full of strength and desire to work and communicate.
• disadvantages. Low activity in the decline phase. In the event that the subdepressive phase is prolonged, thoughts of suicide may arise. Under adverse circumstances, accentuation can develop into bipolar disorder.

1. paranoid type. Formed late - by the age of 30. Its main characteristics are perseverance and perseverance in achieving goals. People with a paranoid accent feel bad and are afraid of what others will think of them if they find out about their nature. As a result, they often experience fear and shame. Two personalities coexist in them, they consider one worthless and despise it. The second is perceived as ideal and omnipotent. Between these two poles there is an exhausting internal conflict. Distinctive features:

• Projection of one's own character traits onto other people. They attribute their thoughts and intentions to them. This leads to the fact that they see in others anger, envy. Constantly trying to recognize the malevolence in the behavior of others.
• Focus on self. Selfish, constantly thinking about themselves, experiencing their own internal conflict.
• Over-sensitivity to comments criticism, rejection.
• grumpiness and the constant desire to defend their rights, even if they were not infringed.
• Unreasonable jealousy, suspicions of conspiracies.
• Failure to refuse. They do not know how to say "no", but prefer to make promises and not keep them.
• A penchant for exclusivity and uniqueness in clothes and hobbies.
• Positive features: persistent and purposeful. They have non-standard thinking, are smart, well-read. They are able to analyze and foresee the result of their own and others' actions. They have a sense of style. They can deny themselves excesses for the sake of an idea.
• disadvantages: a tendency to hypercontrol over loved ones, suspicion, disgust for people.

1. Unstable (rampant) type. People with an unstable type are distinguished by a desire to have fun. Distinctive features:

• Laziness and weakness. It's hard to force yourself to do something that isn't enjoyable. Under any pretext, they shirk from work or imitate labor activity.
• The instability of emotions. Any event causes a short burst of emotions. Therefore, they need frequent changes of impressions.
• The need for strict control. Only the knowledge that the result of their work will be controlled can force them to complete the task. However, strict control makes them want to run away or quit.
• Tendency to obey an informal leader. They show lack of independence even in the search for entertainment. They follow the lead of others, do what they are offered.
• Positive features. Carelessness, curiosity, an optimistic view of the future.
• disadvantages. The constant search for thrills increases the risk of developing drug addiction and alcoholism. They love speed, which increases the risk of accidents when driving a car or motorcycle. prone to gambling.

labile type

• mood swings. Mood swings are sharp and deep. People are not just upset, they fall into despair, and after half an hour they can experience sincere joy. Their well-being and performance, their idea of ​​their own future and the structure of the world largely depend on these differences. So, if a person is in high spirits, then he feels great, is friendly even to unfamiliar people, and looks to the future with optimism. If the mood has fallen, then everything becomes negative.
• High sensitivity to praise and criticism. Praise causes joy and stimulates new achievements, but criticism can cause discouragement and abandonment of activity.
• Sociability. They are drawn to their peers, in dire need of communication. They become attached to people and suffer greatly from the breakdown of relationships.
• Positive features: sincere, direct, positive, devoted. This accentuation rarely passes into the phase of psychopathy.
• disadvantages. It is difficult to endure losses, have extremely low stress resistance. Not ready to deal with difficulties, they may abandon the goal.

Conformal type

• Obedience to the opinion of the majority. They tend to agree with the opinion of the majority in the group to which they belong. There is no critical thinking, they do not analyze how the group decision correlates with the norms of morality, law.
• fashion following. Adhere to fashion trends in clothing, choosing a hobby or profession.
• The desire to be "like everyone else." The unwillingness to stand out from the group stimulates to be no worse than others in study and work. At the same time, they do not have a desire to take the place of a leader, to become better than the majority.
• Conservatism. Tend to adhere to the established order imposed by the majority.
• It's hard to break up with the group. Expulsion from the group, conflict with its leaders and loss of authority cause serious psychological trauma.
• Positive features. Successful in a positive environment. This accentuation rarely becomes the basis of mental disorders.
• disadvantages. They do not show independence, independence, initiative. Feel hostility to people of other nationalities, to strangers in the group. Once in a bad company, they follow the lead, consume drugs and alcohol, and break the law.

Astheno-neurotic type

• Difficulty with mental and physical stress(exams, dissertation defense, competitions). Severe fatigue causes mental and emotional stress. They also experience fatigue from noisy companies, outdoor activities. Try to avoid stress as much as possible.
• Irritability, appearing on the background of fatigue. Its manifestations are short-term and not too strong outbursts of anger, which are associated with increased fatigue of the nervous system. Against this background, sleep worsens and appetite disappears.
• Tendency to hypochondria is characteristic of this type of accentuation. They like to be treated, they are happy to observe bed rest, listen to bodily sensations. They note the connection - the higher the state of health, the better the state of the nervous system. And against the background of a nervous shock, a real, and not far-fetched, disease can develop.
• Positive features. Attachment to loved ones, kindness, good intellectual development, conscientiousness.
• disadvantages. The risk of developing neurosis and neurasthenia, they react painfully to jokes addressed to them, high fatigue prevents them from studying well and working productively.

Psychasthenic type

• Reflection- attention is directed inward. They tend to analyze their feelings, actions, emotions.
• indecisiveness. Avoid situations in which you have to make a choice.
• Striving to live up to expectations, which lays on them family, friends, bosses. A developed sense of responsibility, combined with increased fatigue, causes a constant internal conflict between “should” and “can”, which depletes mental strength.
• The development of obsessions. Obsessive thoughts, memories, fears, actions, rituals, superstitions that appear regardless of a person’s desire and cause negative emotions.
• Feelings towards the future. They fear that misfortune may happen to them or their loved ones in the future.
• Pedantry. Strictly follow the rules. These rules can be generally accepted (traffic rules, fire safety) or invented by them. The goal is to keep yourself out of trouble.
• Positive features: kindness, affection for loved ones, adherence to moral principles, high intelligence, developed imagination.
• disadvantages: indecision, tendency to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

1. Hyperthymic type. The main feature of people with a hyperthymic type of accentuation is optimism, and short-term outbursts of anger are very rare. Distinctive features:

• A good mood often for no good reason distinguishing feature hypertims, which makes them the soul of the company.
• Energetic, active, hardy. Everything is done quickly. Sometimes the quality of work can suffer.
• chatty. They like to tell, exaggerate, sometimes embellish the truth.
• Sociable. They love to chat and make new friends. Strive to command. They love jokes and pranks.
• Positive features: high vitality, optimism, endurance to physical and mental stress, stress resistance.
• disadvantages: illegibility when choosing acquaintances, the risk of regular consumption of alcoholic beverages. Restless, do not like work that requires accuracy. Wasteful, can borrow and not give back. Among people with hyperthymic accentuation, there is an addiction to petty theft.

sensitive type

• Impressionability. Even in adulthood, they remain extremely susceptible to all external stimuli. They endure stress and conflicts very hard, they endure them for a long time.
• Difficulties in managing yourself in stressful situations. If this situation drags on, they can flare up a lot. Which they later regret. In critical situations, they are capable of courageous deeds.
• Self-doubt. In their imagination they draw a strict “I-ideal”, they worry that they do not correspond to it in real life.
• Pessimism. They see the future in gloomy colors.
• Anxiety about the attitude of others around them. They worry about what other people will think of them. They are afraid of criticism and ridicule.
• Positive features: conscientiousness, diligence, fidelity.
• disadvantages: passivity, unpredictability in a stressful situation.

Combinations of types of accentuations

• Hyperthymic + conformal;
• Labile + cycloid;
• Sensitive + schizoid;
• Sensitive + astheno-neurotic + psychasthenic;
• Hysteroid + epileptoid.

Classification of accentuations according to Leonhard

Classification of accentuations according to Lichko

Character accentuation test according to Shmishek

Each of the 88 questions characterizes some accentuated feature.

1. Hyperthymia
2. distimity
3. Cyclothymicity
4. Excitability
5. Jam
6. emotivity
7. Exaltation
8. Pedantry
9. demonstrativeness

• 0-6 - the trait is not expressed.
• 7-12 - the trait is moderately expressed;
• 13-18 - the severity is above average;
• 19-24 - accentuated feature.

Features of accentuation in adolescents

The very presence of an enhanced character trait is not dangerous, but it makes a teenager extremely sensitive to external situations and internal conflicts, and affects relationships with parents and peers. The same accentuations under adverse conditions can cause offenses, and with the right approach and the right choice of profession, they will help to achieve success in life.

It is important for parents to know about the presence of character accentuation in a teenager in order to help him adapt to life, to build a parenting style that will be as effective as possible. The task of parents is to develop qualities and skills in a teenager that will smooth out an accentuated character trait.

hysteroid type

Characteristic
As long as they feel loved and all the attention is on them, there are no behavioral problems. In everyday life, they attract attention in all possible ways. This is a defiant behavior, an expressive manner of speaking and bright clothes. Take credit for accomplishments. They can boast that they drank a lot, ran away from home. They often lie, mostly fantasies concern their own person. They can’t stand it when the attention of others switches to others (a newcomer to the class, a newborn, a stepfather). They can take actions to get rid of a competitor, “out of spite” to do things that their parents will obviously not like. In words, they defend independence, sometimes with scandals, but they need guardianship and do not seek to get rid of it.

Problems
Often, behavioral problems are an attempt to get the attention of parents. They have suicidal tendencies, but the goal is not to commit suicide, but to avoid punishment or achieve sympathy. Suicide attempts are demonstrative and not dangerous. Easily amenable to suggestion, they run the risk of falling into a "bad" company. They can drink alcohol, but in small quantities. There are cases of minor offenses (fraud, absenteeism, petty theft). Demonstrative and frivolous behavior, revealing clothing and a desire to show one's adulthood can provoke sexual violence.

Positive sides. If they are set as an example, they become very diligent. They study well, especially in the lower grades. Artistic, successful in dancing, vocals, conversational genre.

How to interact

• Encourage only good things to say about others.
• Praise only for real achievements.
• Give a task - help a peer to be in the spotlight. For example, prepare a number in which someone else will be the soloist.

epileptoid type

Distinctive feature. Periods of intense irritability and hostility to others, lasting up to several days.

Characteristic
Adolescents with epileptoid accentuation are stubborn and uncompromising in nature. They are vindictive and do not forget insults. In the first place put personal interests, do not take into account the opinions of others. The company tries to become leaders by uniting the younger and the weak around them. Since they are despotic, their power rests on fear. The process of growing up is problematic. Teenagers can demand not only freedom, but also their share of property. Sometimes they get angry and cry for hours. Powerful emotions provoke bouts of anger and aggression. During seizures, teenagers are looking for a “victim” on whom they can pour out their emotions. During these attacks, they can reach sadism.

Problems.
Suicidal attempts as a reaction to "unfair" punishment. They tend to drink alcohol in large quantities "before memory loss." They do not remember the actions that they perform in this state. But rarely consume other toxic drugs. During puberty, they experience a strong sexual desire, which can lead to the development of perversions. There is a predilection for setting firecrackers and making fires.

Positive sides.
Discipline, accuracy. They know how to win over teachers. They feel comfortable in conditions of strict discipline (boarding school, camp). They love and know how to make things.
How to interact

• Provide security and peace of mind to reduce irritability and aggression.
• Require strict adherence to the rules established at home (do not give unsolicited advice, do not interrupt). This will allow parents to get the status of "strong" in the eyes of a teenager.

Schizoid type

Distinctive feature isolation, immersion in a fantasy world.
Characteristic
They prefer to fantasize, to engage in their own hobby, as a rule, highly specialized (they mold soldiers from plasticine, embroider birds). They do not know how and do not want to establish emotional contact and communicate. They do not express their emotions. Closed, do not share their experiences, do not reveal their inner world. Consciously choose loneliness and do not suffer from the absence of friends. Difficulties in communication are associated with a lack of understanding of the feelings of others: “I don’t know if this person likes me, how he reacted to my words.” At the same time, they are not interested in the opinion of others. Not able to rejoice with friends or empathize with someone else's grief. They are not tactful, they do not understand when to remain silent, and when to insist on their own. Speech is florid, statements are often with subtext, which further complicates communication.
Problems. A tendency to take narcotic drugs may develop to enhance fantasies and immersion in their invented world. Occasionally they can commit illegal acts (theft, damage to property, sexual violence), and they think through their actions to the smallest detail.
Positive sides. Developed fantasy, rich inner world, stable interests.
How to interact

• Encourage classes in a theater studio - this will help a teenager learn to express emotions, actively use facial expressions. Encourage dance and martial arts or other sports that train plasticity. They will teach you to control your body, make movements less sharp and angular.
• Encourage you to be in the center. A teenager should periodically feel like an animator in charge of entertaining others. For example, by entertaining his younger brother and his friends, he will learn to speak loudly and emotionally. Learn to read the reaction to your actions.
• Instill a sense of style. It is necessary to teach a teenager to take care of his appearance and fashion.

1. Cycloid. In adolescence, cheerful, sociable and active children have long (1-2 weeks) periods of low mood, loss of strength, and irritability. They are called the subdepressive phase. During these periods, adolescents are no longer interested in past hobbies and communication with peers. Problems begin in studies due to a decrease in working capacity.

How to interact
It is necessary to be as tolerant and tactful as possible, especially when a teenager is going through a subdepressive phase.

• Protect from emotional overload.
• Avoid rudeness and insults, as this can provoke a serious nervous breakdown.
• During periods of recovery, you need to help direct the energy in the right direction. Support a teenager in his hobby, teach him to plan his time and finish what he started.
• Support in the negative phase, increase his self-esteem, cheer him up. Convince that the bad period will end soon.

Unstable or unrestrained.

Distinguishing feature - weak will, laziness and desire to have fun.
Characteristic
They love pleasure, need frequent changes of impressions. Avoid any work under various pretexts. This is especially noticeable when it is necessary to study or fulfill instructions from parents. Only communication with friends seems attractive to them. On this basis, they run the risk of falling into an asocial company. Easily succumbed to negative influences.
Problems associated with the desire to have fun. On this basis, they begin to drink early and use various intoxicants. The risk of developing drug addiction and alcoholism is quite high. “For fun” they can skip school, steal cars, break into other people’s apartments, commit theft, etc. They have a tendency to wander.

Positive sides. Striving for positive emotions, cheerfulness.

How to interact

• They need strict control. This applies to everything from homework to the quality of errands.
• Management by the "carrot and stick" method. Decide in advance what penalties will be imposed for failure to complete tasks, and what bonuses the teenager will receive for quality work.
• Encourage active sports and other ways to release energy.

Labile

Distinctive feature- Mood volatility for minor reasons.
Characteristic
During periods of good mood, adolescents are talkative, active, and set to communicate. But any little thing can ruin their mood and piss them off. At the same time, they can burst into tears, easily go into conflict, become lethargic and withdrawn.
Problems.
Very dependent on people they value (close friends, parents). The loss of a loved one or his location, separation from him, causes affect, neurosis or depression. A bad mood can cause a deterioration in well-being up to the development of real diseases (bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, migraine, nervous tics). Very badly endure criticism and reproaches from teachers, parents, close friends. They become withdrawn, react with tears.

Positive sides. Often talented. They have deep inner peace. Capable of strong affection and sincere friendship. Appreciate people for being kind to them. During periods of good mood, they are full of energy, desire to communicate, learn and engage in hobbies. Empathy is developed - they accurately feel the attitude of others towards them.

How to interact

• Show empathy and openness in communication. Let your teenager know that you share his feelings.
• Give the opportunity to take care of the weaker, take care of younger family members, volunteer.
• Encourage to expand the circle of communication, get acquainted with peers in extracurricular activities.

Conformal

Problems
Having contacted a bad company, they can become drunk, addicted to taking drugs. To avoid being accused of cowardice, they may commit acts that endanger their health or harm other people. The prohibition to communicate with the company can provoke a scandal with parents or run away from home.

Positive sides. Appreciate their surroundings. Attached to friends. They love stability and order.

How to interact

• Offer to make your own choice, without relying on someone else's opinion.
• Make sure that the teenager is involved in various teams, has the opportunity to communicate with peers at school, in sports sections, circles. This reduces the likelihood that he will be in bad company.
• To help choose authorities who are truly worthy of emulation.

Astheno-neurotic

Problems- high fatigue, the risk of developing neurosis.

Positive sides. Kindness, sympathy, high intelligence. Such teenagers do not run away from home, hooliganism and other illegal actions.

How to interact

• Ignore outbursts of anger that occur against the background of nervous exhaustion.
• Praise for success and notice even minor achievements, which will become a serious motivation.
• Encourage to play sports, do morning exercises, take a contrast shower to increase the efficiency of the nervous system.
• Use peak productivity periods (from 10 to 13) to complete the most difficult tasks.

Psychasthenic

Characteristic
This type of accentuation is formed if parents place too high hopes on the child in school or sports. Failure to meet their expectations leaves an imprint on the character. These teenagers have low self-esteem, they are tormented by guilt and fear of failure, which can further disappoint their parents. Teenagers suffer from increased anxiety. They are afraid, no matter how something terrible and irreparable happens to them or their loved ones. Pedantry develops as a defense mechanism. Adolescents draw up a detailed plan of action, believe in omens, develop rituals that should ensure success (not washing your hair before an exam).

Problem. The risk of developing anxiety, obsessive thoughts and actions that are prone to complications.

Positive sides. In critical situations, quickly find the right decision capable of bold action. Obedient, non-confrontational, as a rule, they are quite successful in their studies, they become good friends.

How to interact

• Model frightening situations and offer to find a solution on your own. For example: “Let’s say you got lost in a strange city. What will you do?"
• Teach a constructive approach to problem solving. What to do? Who to turn to for help? What should I do to prevent what happened from happening again?

Hyperthymic

Distinctive feature- optimism and high spirits, which often pushes them to pranks.

Characteristic
Very sociable, quickly become the center of any company. They do not bring the matter to the end, they are not constant in their hobbies. It is easy to make and break promises. Despite good abilities, they study mediocrely. They easily provoke conflicts, but they themselves can make amends for them. They quickly find peace of mind after failures and quarrels. Outbursts of anger are short lived.

Problems- unable to perform routine work that requires perseverance and intense attention. Illegible in the choice of acquaintances. If such teenagers find themselves in an unfavorable situation, they may develop an addiction to alcohol and soft drugs. They can commit illegal and antisocial acts (vandalism, hooliganism, petty theft). They are characterized by early sexual relations. Prone to risk, extreme hobbies and gambling. Once in conditions of control and strict discipline (hospital, summer camp) they can escape.

Positive sides. Energetic and tireless. They are distinguished by fun, do not lose optimism in difficult circumstances. They find a way out in any situation.

How to interact
The task of adults is to teach a teenager with hyperthymic accentuation to discipline and self-organization.

• Avoid total control.
• Advise the teenager to keep a diary in which it is necessary to write down his plans for the day and independently control their implementation.
• Come up with a punishment for each unfinished business.
• Teach to maintain order on the table, in the closet, in the room. This will stimulate the teenager to systematize and analyze everything that happens.

sensitive type

Distinctive feature- hypersensitivity.

Characteristic
Teenagers deeply and for a long time experience everything that happens. Praise and criticism are deeply embedded in their memory, and have a significant impact on their self-esteem, behavior and actions. Very shy and for this reason uncommunicative. It is difficult to get used to the new team. They quickly get tired of mental work. Tests and exams cause them considerable stress. They are also very worried about ridicule from their peers. Dreamy, introspective. Conscientious, have a developed sense of duty. Be sure to finish what you started. They are very worried about the result of their actions (control, actions).

Problems. Tendency to self-flagellation and the development of phobias. Tearfulness. Excessive demands on oneself can cause neurosis. A chain of failures can trigger a suicide attempt.

Positive sides. Diligent in studies, responsible attitude to all tasks. Strive to become a good friend, value loved ones.

How to interact

• Increase self-esteem and self-confidence. To do this, it is important to give feasible tasks that will not be too simple, otherwise their solution will not cause self-respect.
• Conduct long conversations to establish contact with a teenager.
• Deserved praise and thanks. Keep criticism to a minimum. Do not criticize qualities, do not hang labels - "lazy", "sloppy". Instead, indicate what needs to be done.
• Encourage auto-training. Repeat formulas to increase self-esteem: “I feel calm and confident”, “I am brave and confident”, “I am a great speaker.”

Factors influencing the formation of personality accentuations

• Overprotection and control by parents and teachers. Promotes the appearance and aggravation of psychasthenic, sensitive, asthenic accentuation;
• Lack of care and parental attention increases the risk of developing hysterical, unstable and conformal personality traits:
• Cruel attitude excessive severity and authoritarian style of communication provokes an increase in epileptoid features;
• Excessive demands on the child leads to psychasthenic character accentuation;
• Lack of emotional contact can cause an increase in labile, sensitive and asthenic features;
• Over-emphasis on well-being and chronic diseases disrupting the normal way of life. Physical defects, defects in appearance and diseases of the nervous system play an important role. The result may be hysteroid or astheno-neurotic accentuations;
• Serious conflicts with peers in adolescence, when communication is most significant, can cause the development of conformal or schizoid accentuation.

• Inability to satisfy basic needs for love, care, security, communication;
• Lack of concepts about moral and cultural norms, interests and hobbies;
• Wrong self-image inferiority complex, high self-esteem;
• Professional factors. Accentuations associated with work often occur among actors, teachers, doctors of some specialties, law enforcement officers and the military;
• genetic predisposition. Features of the functioning of the nervous system are transmitted from parents to children. This is especially true for hyperthymic, cycloid and schizoid accentuation. Therefore, if parents have an accentuated character trait, then it is highly likely that it will be found in the child. Improper upbringing and parental behavior can significantly enhance innate accentuated features.

Techniques for the treatment of accentuations of various types

Work on yourself

1. hysteroid type

• "Calm Quiet Speech". Adopt a phlegmatic conversational style (quiet speech, a minimum of facial expressions and gestures). Think about what you want to say. State the facts, not your emotions about what is happening.
• "Good deeds". Try to do them discreetly and not tell anyone about what you have done. Watch the person's reaction without showing yourself.
• "Invisible". While in company for an hour, try to sit silently, watching others. Don't give in to attempts to draw you into a conversation.
• Do auto-training daily. The goal is to love yourself for who you are and increase your self-esteem. When you achieve this, the praise and attention of others will not seem vital.

1. epileptoid type.

• Forgive and let go of grudges. Realize that resentment is harmful to the mental and physical health of the one who is offended.
• Practice tolerance and kindness to people. Smile at acquaintances when you meet, or try to read the willingness to smile on your face.
• Be generous take part in charity events.
• "Active Listening". Listen to the other kindly, without interrupting or arguing. Encourage the speaker with the phrases: “I understand you”, “I know this”.
• Put yourself in the shoes of others. This exercise must be done daily. It is important to put yourself in the place of the person with whom you want to enter into an argument.

1. Schizoid type.

• Learn to copy the facial expressions of another person and determine his emotion. For this exercise, you will need the help of someone close to you.
• "Calm kindness" will be the best way to communicate with others. Such an even attitude towards the interlocutor must be practiced daily in communication with loved ones. Avoid being overly friendly or hostile.
• « Game of choleric". Try to speak louder, faster, more impulsively. Express your opinion during the conversation. Do it kindly with a smile on your face.

1. Cycloid type.

• Keep a diary. It is necessary for planning and describing your emotions and experiences. During periods of decline, it is useful to reread how the same people and events were perceived during a period of emotional upsurge. It helps to realize that difficulties are temporary.
• Ask yourself a question, “What can I change in myself so that my negative qualities do not interfere with me and others?”

1. paranoid type.

• Check your motives don't trust other people's first impressions.
• "Hour without remarks." For a while, completely abandon criticism and moralizing.
• Attend communication training. Read relevant literature and apply knowledge in life.
• Learn practices that make you be "here and now"- meditation, yoga, zen.
• "Compliment". Develop the habit of saying something nice to your loved ones every day.

1. unstable type.

• "I can + want." This exercise will help to cope with laziness and force yourself to do the necessary things. If you don’t want to do something, you need to ask yourself the question: “Can I do it? Can I do it?" Second question: Do I want to? Moreover, you can want long-term consequences - I want a salary, so I get a job; I want a slim healthy body, so I go to the gym.
• Increase motivation. Think about what you really want. Write down the goal. Break the path to it into stages and act. A strong desire (car, vacation) will make you move forward.

1. Labile type.

• Rational approach to problem solving. In any unpleasant situation, answer the questions: why did this happen? (what is the reason) what can be done now? (where to start), how to fix the situation? (long-term plans), what can be done to prevent this from happening again?
• Mood Diary. Keep a diary in which you indicate when and for what reason the change of mood occurred.
• Separate the rational and the emotional. It is important to accept and love both sides of yourself. Treat your "emotional" self with indulgence, but don't let your emotions rule your actions.
• Autotraining, which will help balance the processes in the nervous system. This will make you less sensitive to situations that piss you off, help control your emotions.

1. Conformal type.

• Develop critical thinking. Consider whether this statement could be false. What are the consequences if you do what you are offered.
• Suggest. Try not to immediately agree with what is offered to you. Make a counter offer. When they tell you, let's go to the cinema - offer to go to a cafe.
• Try something new. Try new foods, buy clothes in a new style for you, visit places you have not been to, communicate with people not from your circle.

1. Astheno-neurotic type.

• "Superman". Imagine that you have superpowers. Feel how your inner state changes. The purpose of the exercise is to look, move, talk, feeling your importance and exclusivity. The goal is to keep the image as long as possible.
• Meeting new people. Set a goal - to meet a new person and start a short conversation with him.
• Add some humor. Do not silently swallow ridicule. Learn to answer them with humor, self-irony is also acceptable. To develop a sense of humor, read more humorous literature and watch comedy shows.

1. psychasthenic type.

• Imagine that what you fear has happened. Calmly think over the plan of your actions in this situation.
• Deviate from the established order. Do not follow your usual rituals (walk on the left side of the street, do not step on cracks) to make sure that nothing bad happens;
• "Charging for the face." In people with psychasthenic accentuation, the muscles of the forehead and the muscles that lower the corners of the mouth are constantly tense. It is necessary to make grimaces depicting positive emotions (surprise, joy, delight).

1. Hyperthymic type.

• Put things in order. Take 15 minutes a day to clean up your desk and closet. It helps to organize thoughts.
• Get the job done. Make a promise to yourself to finish what you started, no matter what happens. Be sure to complete it, and then move on to other activities.
• diary. Planning will help you systematize tasks, prioritize and complete what you started on time. Be sure to include precise deadlines for completing each task. Test yourself and reward your progress.

1. sensitive type.

• "Winner". Praise yourself for every success. Break large tasks into stages and do not forget to thank yourself for each successfully completed period.
• "My Dignity" You need to make a poster that lists all the virtues that you value in yourself or that people pay attention to. It is advisable to put it in a conspicuous place.
• Play the joker. Learn funny stories and anecdotes to share with others. Gradually, this will cause less and less psychological discomfort when speaking to the public.

Help from a psychologist

• Individual conversations- the psychologist points out the accentuated character traits and the most vulnerable places of the personality. Tells how to effectively use the strengths of character. Teaches how to change the way you react and behave in different social situations.
• Group lessons. They select a group of people with similar accentuations or choose a topic that would be useful to everyone. The psychologist teaches productive models of behavior in various situations, the rules of communication with others, the intricacies of relationships with family members. The conversation is illustrated with examples from life, the lesson includes practical tasks for each type of accentuation.
• Family Therapy - conversation with family members. It is aimed at establishing relationships with loved ones and improving the psychological atmosphere in the family. One of the main methods when working with teenagers.
• Psychological trainings - active training that teaches the correct behavior in various situations.
• Method of psychodrama- a group method of psychotherapy based on playing an exciting situation (invented or real events). It helps to develop the correct model of behavior and communication in people in various situations.

It is not uncommon to meet people who noticeably predominate in one trait. Some are very restless, others are too pedantic, others are overly sarcastic, etc. Such one predominant character trait can be considered both as a talent and also as a human flaw. A certain character trait presupposes a certain strategy of behavior peculiar to a given personality. So, for example, a pedantic person, as a rule, is diligent and accurate, a person prone to demonstrativeness strives for brightness and attractiveness.

In psychology, the predominant features of a person’s character that are on the borders of the clinical norm are called accentuation. Accentuated individuals can achieve significant success in science, culture, sports, political activity etc. However, these people also often face psychological difficulties in cases where there are situations that are opposite to their personality traits. It can be difficult to avoid such situations, and in order to overcome the difficulties and discomfort in communication, you need to consult a psychologist to receive qualified assistance.

An accentuated personality can be selectively vulnerable in relation to some psychogenic influences, while to others, a fairly good stability is maintained. Accentuations are not mental disorders, however, some properties are similar to those and this suggests the existence of links between them. An accentuated person has difficulty maintaining a normal lifestyle. To identify accentuations, psychologists use special tests and psychological questionnaires. This work is carried out by practical psychologists who have a higher psychological education.

In general, accentuation is " extreme version of the norm". Accentuations include a group of persistent pointed character traits of a person, congenital or acquired. The negative side of this problem can be small violations of relationships with people, as well as adaptation in the outside world.

With accentuation, a violation of mental balance usually occurs, the depth of this violation depends on the severity of some mental properties and the insufficient development of others. Excessive emotional excitability can be observed in the absence of a person's control over his own behavior, as well as reactions that were caused by emotional reasons. Anxiety, suspicion and uncertainty arise in the absence of an adequate assessment of ongoing events, as well as a loss of a sense of reality. Selfishness, excessive claims to one's own importance in the absence of the necessary abilities and capabilities can be manifested in a person's behavior.
All these character traits can also be inherent in a mentally normal person. However, in this case, they are balanced by other character traits and therefore appear to be more balanced. Harmony and disharmony are broader concepts used to qualify the mental states of a person. It is possible to speak of a person as a harmonious personality in the case of an optimal combination of its mental and physical properties. It is noted that people with accentuations in the nature of the combination of these properties complicate social adaptation.

Those personality traits that prevent a person from being socially active and adapting to society are considered by psychologists as a violation. The potential of a person with accentuations to social adaptation depends on the degree of personality disharmony and factors of the surrounding reality.

In favorable conditions accentuated personality feels satisfactorily, that is, under these conditions, the person is in a state of compensation. And, on the contrary, in adverse conditions, a person may experience painful manifestations - anxious, neurotic. In such cases, a person needs a qualified person who will help a person overcome his problems and adapt to the social environment.

Accentuations (from the Latin "accentus", stress) in modern science are those personality traits that are too pronounced or hypertrophied within the normal range. These features do not go beyond the generally accepted norm, but at the same time significantly affect a person's ability to withstand various psychogenic influences. Accentuated individuals show resistance to certain factors, while being extremely vulnerable to other factors. Modern science does not attribute personality accentuation to pathological disorders, but some manifestations in the behavior of an accentuated person may require specialized help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychotherapist.

Characteristics of accentuated personalities

Accentuated personalities are characterized by three main characteristics: distribution to all spheres of life, stability and constancy over time (throughout life), as well as increased severity, which can lead to difficulty in self-realization and life in society. But unlike personality disorders (psychopathies), accentuated individuals have more differentiated behavior in society, which allows them to better adapt to society.

People with a pronounced accentuation respond in a special way only to certain psychogenic influences, otherwise they act within the framework of the clinical norm, but are more vulnerable in those situations that affect their pointed features.

Accentuations, as a rule, tend to manifest themselves most clearly during a certain life stage (especially under adverse circumstances) and may subside over time.

Accentuated individuals can experience short-term periods of social maladaptation, which end after the cessation of psychogenic influences, even without appropriate treatment. But character accentuation can be considered as a provoking factor in the development of certain mental illnesses in a person with this accentuation, which require treatment by psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists.

Breakdown (decompensation) in accentuated personalities

With decompensation, accentuated individuals may experience the following variants of mental disorders.

1. Demonstrative (hysterical) type.

In such individuals, conversion reactions are most often observed (the transformation of a repressed mental conflict into somatic symptoms) in the form of:

• pseudo-paralysis of one or two limbs, although there is no organic pathology of the limbs,
• difficulties with breathing function, when a person is suffocating and "cannot breathe", and when taking sedatives, the attack disappears (here it is necessary to differentiate with bronchial asthma or obstructive bronchitis, when shortness of breath occurs when exhaling),
• vomiting can also be a manifestation of a conversion reaction,
• sensation of a lump in the throat in the absence of ENT pathology.

It is impossible to describe the whole variety of conversion syndromes. Almost any picture of the disease can be imitated in the form of a conversion reaction.

Therefore, hysteroid personalities often visit somatic doctors and treat neurologists for "paralysis", for therapists - bronchial asthma or obstructive bronchitis, unexplained vomiting, ENT - doctors for a non-existent pathology of the throat, etc.

1. Hyperthymic type

Individuals with hyperthymic type accentuation most often experience emotional disorders, decreased mood, and depression, which can significantly worsen their condition and reduce their performance.

1. Cycloid type

With decompensation, people with this accentuation experience mood changes that periodically lead to social decompensation. In the hyperthymic phase, these people are extremely active, sociable and open, but they may not complete the work they have begun, so business transactions and agreements may not be fulfilled. In the depressive phase, they become gloomy, tired, do not have the desire and strength to continue their usual activities. And the symptoms of depression in the form of poor sleep, difficulty concentrating and perceiving new information, anxiety, pain significantly worsen their quality of life.

1. Psychosthenic type

With decompensation, people with this type of accentuation often experience obsessive thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions), which they are unable to cope with on their own without specialized help.

1. Schizoid type

These individuals may have systematized monothematic paranoid ideas, most often of the nature of persecution, invention, jealousy, high birth, hypochondriacal ideas, reformism, erotic and litigious (querulant) nature.

1. Asthenic type

With decompensation, these accentuants have hyposthenic asthenia (general weakness, lethargy, fatigue) and hypersthenic type (increased irritability and irascibility), which significantly impairs the quality of life and the possibility of normal activities.

1. sensitive type

Decompensation is manifested by obsessions (obsessions) and various fears (phobias), which require psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment.

1. Epileptoid (excitable) type

With decompensation, these accentuators experience dysphoria, when there is gloomy irritability, a feeling of hostility towards others, while affective outbursts are frequent, manifestations of aggression are characteristic, which can lead to antisocial behavior.

1. Emotionally labile type

Dysphoric behavior is observed with gloominess and unmotivated irritability, but without pronounced aggression, which disrupts communication processes and can lead to social maladaptation.

1. Unstable type

As risk factors and decompensation for such people, it is necessary to note the propensity to use drugs and alcohol, as well as delinquent (antisocial) behavior.

1. Conformal type

These people are the least pleasers, submission to someone else's opinion. As a rule, decompensation in such individuals practically does not occur.

Accentuated (hypertrophied) personality traits are manifested at the emotional and behavioral levels in the presence of adverse circumstances, but do not cause long-term maladaptation. But if maladjustment against the background of psycho-traumatic life circumstances nevertheless arises and manifests itself in the form of certain mental disorders that require specialized treatment, there is a way out! The qualified help of an experienced psychiatrist, psychologist and psychotherapist will help to cope with mental disorders and return to a comfortable state that was previously.