What is eccentricity and when does it turn into a mental disorder

What is eccentricity

According to the "Big Explanatory DictionaryEccentricity Russian language ”, eccentricity is a strange, defiantly unusual behavior. It can be expressed in deliberately bright clothes that do not correspond to the moment. Or in non-standard habits related to communication with other people. For example, an eccentric person speaks too loudly or mannered, does it in verse, openly classifies interlocutors according to the types he invented himself (“You are a gentle kitty, and he is a watchdog dog!").

In the mass understanding, an eccentric person is an extraordinary, outstanding personality. It is no coincidence that this behavior is often associated with talented and even ingenious people. For example, there are legendsMeat Dresses and Surplus Ears: Does Being Eccentric Make you a Better Artist? about the eccentricity of Salvador Dali. Or Albert EinsteinEinstein, eccentric genius, smoked butts picked up off street. Or, say, Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill's eccentric working habits revealed in rare papers.

In general, being eccentric, “not like everyone else,” even fashionable. But there is a limit beyond which bizarre behavior turns from a mode of self-expression to an unhealthy phenomenon.

When eccentricity becomes a mental disorder

Eccentric personality disorderF60.8. Other specific personality disorders included in the International Classifier of Diseases (ICD-10). But it is not described in sufficient detail.

However, there is a whole class of much more studied eccentric disorders - the so-called cluster ADSM ‑ 5: The Ten Personality Disorders: Cluster A. It includes three types disorderscharacterized by pronounced oddities in behavior:

1. Paranoid.
2. Schizoid.
3. Schizotypal.

The first disease usually manifests itselfParanoid Personality Disorder anxiety, suspicion, rancor, and with the secondSchizoid personality disorder - isolation, emotional coldness. Demonstrative freakiness of behavior or appearance is inherent only in schizotypal disorder.

Experts from the American research organization Mayo Clinic listSchizotypal personality disorder 10 signs of this violation. Five of them are sufficient to suspect a personality disorder:

1. Defiant behavior that is out of the ordinary.
2. Unusual appearance. Clothes can be dirty, and its elements can fundamentally not be combined with each other.
3. A peculiar manner of speaking, which is difficult to miss during a conversation. For example, the voice may be too high or the person may be singing words.
4. Belief in personal supernatural abilities. For example, the patient sincerely believes that he can read the thoughts of others. Or communicate with the spirits of the dead. Or predict the future based on the sound of the wind and the movement of the stars.
5. Experiencing unusual sensations. The person can tell that he feels the presence of someone who is actually very far away. Or supposedly he physically senses the approach of danger.
6. Failure to adequately assess what is happening. Even minor events can be given great importance.
7. Suspiciousness, constant doubts about the good intentions of others.
8. Excessive and persistent social anxiety. The patient does not accept evaluations from other people, because he believes that they cannot understand him.
9. Failure to establish a lasting and trusting relationship with someone. Friends are usually only among the immediate family.
10. Inappropriate reactions, coldness in communication. A person may not express emotions at all or react inadequately to what is happening. For example, laugh when they usually cry.

What are the Causes of Eccentric Personality Disorder

Most often, the disorder manifests itself during adolescence or early adulthood. Where it comes from, doctors do not know exactlySchizotypal personality disorder. It is assumed that a role is played by genetics, individual characteristics of the brain, environment, habits learned in childhood.

What to do if you suspect eccentric personality disorder

This mental breakdown can be corrected with psychotherapy or medication - for example, antidepressants.

The difficulty lies in the fact that "eccentrics", as a rule, do not consider their behavior to require correction and are often not ready to turn to psychotherapist. In this case, relatives or caring acquaintances are especially important. Their task is still to convince to consult a specialist.

The easiest way looks like this. A person with eccentric personality disorder regularlySchizotypal personality disorder experiences frustration with people, anxiety attacks and even depression. It is at such moments that you should take him by the hand and lead him to talk to a psychotherapist. The specialist will be able to establish the disorder based on the conversation and the symptoms that will be described. And then she will recommend a person therapy options that will help improve the condition.

By the way, one of the elements of psychocorrectionSchizotypal personality disorder is family and friendly support. A person with an eccentric disorder finds it easier to live when they feel loved and appreciated, supported when they fail, and celebrated their successes.