Main features of the labile type of personality accentuation

Emotional lability - characteristics, symptoms, treatment

Emotional lability

05.03.2018

Pozharisky I.

Emotional lability syndrome occurs quite often in modern people in everyday life. Many people are completely unaware of how much they subordinate their [...]

Emotional lability syndrome occurs quite often in modern people in everyday life. Many people are completely unaware of how much they subordinate their lives to circumstances and depend on their own emotions. Meanwhile, such an attitude towards one’s own personality can hardly be called completely healthy.

Emotional lability, first of all, implies some mental imbalance and instability. If a person is often in a dejected state and does not believe in a happy future, then as a result he may be faced with the fact that nothing will make him happy anymore.

In order to regain the meaning of life, it may take many years and intensive work on oneself. And this is very difficult!

The famous psychologist Leonhard called them certain personality traits, due to which a person becomes overly sensitive to what is happening around him and experiences vivid emotions. And most importantly, they remain stable over a long period of time. In this case, we cannot talk about sudden labile outbreaks characteristic of choleric or sanguine people.

Emotives are almost the most difficult people to interact with. Their nervous system is too weak to cope with unexpected incidents, so any non-standard situation is perceived as tragic. At the same time, the usual state, not associated with negative experiences, presupposes excessive goodwill and positivity towards everything around us.

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1. Facial expressions. They are characterized by a clear expression of interest in their interlocutor. Outwardly, this is expressed in large open eyes and some concern on the face. At the same time, a slight sadness is considered a typical feature. This happens due to the fact that facial expressions are quite weak, much less than those of the same hyperthymic person.
2. Gesticulation. The pantomime of emotives is smooth and changes slowly. This happens because of the constant desire to control oneself and not offend anyone around.
3. Behavior. Such people are distinguished by excessive modesty, but at the same time they are very independent and do not like to turn to others for help. Although this is not due to self-confidence, but rather from the fear of being rejected.

In general, the emotive type of character accentuation gives its bearers some mystery. They are difficult to understand, especially to unfamiliar people. A lot of time must pass before the emotive opens up and shows its inner world.

In personality psychology, an emotive is a person with an accentuation of character, due to which he becomes too sensitive to any situations happening around him, regardless of whether they carry a positive or negative context. But in communication this concept has a slightly different meaning. It characterizes the manifestation of natural, sincere emotions. In other words, it is difficult for such individuals to hide their true feelings towards the interlocutor, just as it is difficult to show a fake smile.

The main feature of such a personality is that it is easy to “read”. There is a saying “It’s all written on his face” and this absolutely clearly characterizes the emotive. He shows his partner only those emotions that he really experiences at the moment, he does not know how to lie at all, which is why it seems to others that he lacks a sense of tact.

This therapy assumes that there are two types of perception: objective (radical) and subjective. The first differs in that it affects actually incoming information, while the second is only the evaluative view of the individual himself. Due to the peculiarities of the emotive psychotype, it is with this type of perception that he has problems.

Accordingly, the task of a specialist is to teach a person to realistically assess and understand the surrounding situation using different methods. One of the most popular is regular diary keeping. Having recorded an event in it, you can then analyze your own behavior and feelings, as well as the reaction of people around you to them, and draw appropriate conclusions.

This type of psychotherapy is best done under the supervision of a psychologist. Sign up for my personal consultation and I will help you overcome all psychological barriers.

Main characteristics

As already mentioned, the main character trait is frequent and unexpected changes of mood. If such a person simply stumbles on the stairs, he risks losing his good mood for literally the entire evening.

And it would be okay, in life he was haunted by failures, a large number of unsolvable problems arose. In this case, a sharp change in mood is understandable; tension and stress undermine the nervous system, which is why feelings sometimes become intense.

But in the case of the labile type, this happens just like that, without any reason. But he is capable of not only getting upset out of the blue, but also experiencing happiness.

Let's say someone on public transport or on the street smiles at him - the day will sparkle with new colors.

At the moment of meeting with friends or just acquaintances, he manages to experience a whole range of feelings. In an hour of conversation he manages to laugh and cry. Naturally, this confuses those around you, but, having gotten used to such frequent manifestations of various emotions, it becomes understandable and calm.

By the way, the way of life and attitude towards it depends precisely on the mood. We can safely say that it controls him and his elections.

For example, when a labile person is sad, his appetite deteriorates, and he may refuse to eat at all at the moment of worry. But as soon as reasons for joy appear, he will instantly attack the food, as if he had not eaten for a month.

He knows how to love and be faithful, show affection. Although at first glance it seems that emotional instability is an element of superficiality and frivolity.

In a relationship, he values ​​comfort and intimacy; it is important for him to be close to a person who will listen, support and encourage.

He is also ready to lend his shoulder if necessary. And also to cheer, please and simply say that everything will be fine.

He understands perfectly well that he is a person of mood, which is why his self-esteem usually corresponds to reality. That is, he does not indulge in self-abasement and does not elevate his talents to the skies.

They have well developed emotional intelligence. Therefore, they almost always correctly recognize how they are treated and what they are trying to hide.

Causes of nervous disorder

Inappropriate expression of emotions is typical for many people. Increased emotional lability, which manifests itself regularly, requires specialist intervention and correction. Unfortunately, people often ignore such problems and prefer to call the disease a special character trait.

Unstable emotionality can flare up suddenly, be expressed in an inadequate attitude towards certain events and disappear just as suddenly. Short-term stress has this effect on the nervous system. However, similar cases do not signal serious problems with mental health. Disorder of emotional expression is formed due to the following reasons:

1. prolonged stress;
2. a situation that traumatizes the psyche;
3. endocrine imbalance;
4. vascular and neurological diseases;
5. mental disorders.

Symptoms of pathology

Emotional lability: what is it in adults? Pathology is accompanied by symptoms that can be used to determine the presence of problems. The very definition of the term suggests that the symptoms express emotional instability. This manifests itself in an inadequate reaction to familiar events.

Most often, people with the syndrome react sensitively to touching films and books, emotional conversations, small children and animals. They often cry, but they themselves cannot explain why. Yes, kittens and puppies are cute, but not to the point of tears.

Aggression and self-aggression also take place. In most cases, they flare up sharply and subside just as abruptly. This symptom is considered a defensive reaction when people try to hide their problems. An unobtrusive question about your well-being or mood can lead to inappropriate shouting and attempts to avoid answering.

Frequent mood swings are a clear symptom. A person can enthusiastically play a game for 20 minutes, and a minute later decide that it is all nonsense and a waste of time. He may study the cinema's repertoire with interest and plan to attend a show, and later give up and burst into tears.

The next symptom is expressed in passion for the task. For example, a constant search for a new hobby and a rapid loss of interest indicate emotional lability. Immersion in the study of the history of Ancient China, a quick change from this hobby to cross-stitching, and then to football - all these are symptoms of pathology. Let us highlight the main symptoms of emotional lability syndrome:

• frequent mood changes;
• immoderate passion;
• aggression;
• auto-aggression;
• increased tearfulness.

All these symptoms are characteristic of each individual at different periods of life. If you notice them, there is no need to immediately sound the alarm. It is worth thinking about help when they are expressed quite clearly and are repeated regularly.

Pathology in the form of emotional lability is of two types:

• border;
• impulsive.

The borderline type is expressed in apathy, frustration, and indifference. A person susceptible to this type of lability expresses emotions weakly and inactively. Increased anxiety and absent-mindedness may occur.

The impulsive type is the opposite of the borderline type. People suffering from this type of pathology are characterized by a negative mood, anger, and addiction to bad habits. Auto-aggression can result in suicidal tendencies, so it is important for such people to promptly contact specialists for help in solving problems.

Any type of emotional lability is destructive to the nervous system and mental health, which affects all areas of an individual’s life.

Socionics and other typologies

Labile type

This type is most fully described under various names: “emotionally labile” (Schneider, 1923), “reactive-labile” (P. B. Gannushkin, 1933) or “emotionally labile” (Leongard, 1964, 1968), etc....

In childhood, labile adolescents, as a rule, do not particularly stand out among their peers. Only some people show a tendency to neurotic reactions. However, almost everyone’s childhood is filled with infectious diseases caused by opportunistic flora. Frequent sore throats, continuous “colds”, chronic pneumonia, rheumatism, pyelocystitis, cholecystitis and other diseases, although they do not occur in severe forms, tend to take a protracted and recurrent course. Perhaps the factor of “somatic infantilization” plays an important role in many cases of the formation of a labile type.

The main feature of the labile type is extreme mood variability...

We can talk about the emerging formation of a labile type in cases where the mood changes too often and too abruptly, and the reasons for these fundamental changes are insignificant. An unflattering word spoken by someone, an unfriendly look from a random interlocutor, an inopportune rainfall, or a button torn from a suit can plunge you into a dull and gloomy mood in the absence of any serious troubles or failures. At the same time, some pleasant conversation, interesting news, a passing compliment, a well-dressed suit for the occasion, heard from someone, although unrealistic, but tempting prospects can lift the mood, even distract from real troubles, until they remind you again anything about yourself. During a psychiatric examination, during frank and exciting conversations, when you have to touch on various aspects of life, over the course of half an hour you can see more than once tears ready to well up and soon a joyful smile.

Mood is characterized not only by frequent and sudden changes, but also by their significant depth. Well-being, appetite, sleep, ability to work, and the desire to be alone or only with a loved one, or to rush into a noisy society, in company, with people, depend on the mood of a given moment. According to the mood, the future is either painted with rainbow colors, or appears gray and dull, and the past appears either as a chain of pleasant memories, or seems entirely consisting of failures, mistakes and injustices. The same people, the same environment seem either sweet, interesting and attractive, or boring, boring and ugly, endowed with all sorts of shortcomings.

Unmotivated changes in mood sometimes create the impression of superficiality and frivolity. But this judgment is not true. Representatives of the labile type are capable of deep feelings, great and sincere affection. This is primarily reflected in their attitude towards family and friends, but only towards those from whom they themselves feel love, care and participation. Affection for them remains despite the ease and frequency of fleeting quarrels.

Devoted friendship is no less characteristic of labile teenagers. They spontaneously look for a psychotherapist in a friend. They prefer to be friends with someone who, in moments of sadness and dissatisfaction, is able to distract, console, tell something interesting, cheer up, convince that “everything is not so scary,” but at the same time, in moments of emotional upsurge, it is easy to respond to joy and fun , satisfy the need for empathy.

Labile teenagers are very sensitive to all kinds of signs of attention, gratitude, praise and encouragement - all this gives them sincere joy, but does not at all induce arrogance or conceit. Blame, condemnation, reprimands, and lectures are deeply felt and can lead to hopeless despondency. Labile teenagers endure real troubles, losses, and misfortunes extremely hard, showing a tendency to reactive depression and severe neurotic breakdowns.

The emancipation reaction in labile adolescents is expressed very moderately. They feel good in the family if they feel love, warmth and comfort there. Emancipatory activity manifests itself in the form of short outbursts, caused by the vagaries of mood and usually interpreted by adults as simple stubbornness...

He is alien to the intoxicating excitement of games, and the scrupulous meticulousness of collecting, and the persistent improvement of strength, dexterity of skills and the height of refined intellectual and aesthetic pleasures...

Self-esteem is characterized by sincerity (Efremenkova, Ivanov, 1971). Labile teenagers are well aware of the characteristics of their character, they know that they are “people of mood” and that everything depends on their mood. Being aware of the weaknesses of their nature, they do not try to hide or obscure anything, but, as it were, invite others to accept them as they are. In the way those around them treat them, they reveal surprisingly good intuition - immediately, at the first contact, they sense who is disposed towards them, who is indifferent, and who harbors at least a drop of ill will or hostility. The response arises immediately and without attempts to hide it...

Author - Lichko A.E. “Psychopathy and character accentuations in adolescents”

New articles:

• Epileptoid type

">Schizoid type

• Cycloid type
• Sensitive type
• Psychasthenic type

">Unstable type
Old articles:

• Conformal type
• Hysterical type
• Hyperthymic type
• Astheno-neurotic type

Reasons for formation

As mentioned earlier, the basis of the emotive psychotype is a weak nervous system and this is not a metaphor. This human structure, even normally, is not formed immediately, but gradually, throughout childhood. In combination with genetic factors, character traits of parents and other surrounding adults, emotivity appears as a unique accentuation that remains with a person for life.

The more experiences a child has endured throughout his short existence, including the uterine period, the higher the likelihood of excessive emotionality. On the other hand, a baby is a sponge capable of absorbing all surrounding information, which means that the shortcomings of a weak nervous system can be corrected if you know how to do it and pay special attention to emotiveness.

Unfortunately, it is not customary to deal with the emotional side of development, unless the child’s behavior goes beyond what is acceptable in society. If this is the case, doctors would rather spend their energy on treatment measures than try to change behavior through training.

Features of children: rules for their upbringing

It was said earlier that parents rarely notice excessive emotionality in children, and they fight it with medications, and not by changing their own principles of upbringing. But you can solve the problem much easier if you take into account some rules and nuances:

1. An emotive child is a very kind and sensitive creature, so it is important to teach him not to feel guilty for various reasons, and to remain calm and self-confident more often.
2. Be sure to have a heart-to-heart conversation with him. A parent of an emotional child simply must become his friend, otherwise the child will withdraw into himself.
3. It would be useful to teach your child to defend his opinion, to defend himself, because he himself will not master this.

But most importantly, be understanding, do not demand from the baby what is inaccessible to him, just gently guide him in the right direction so as not to kill the remnants of self-confidence in him.

Inappropriate expression of emotions is typical for people of different age categories. If in adults this is a pathology that requires correction, then does the same apply to children?

First of all, it must be said that a person is exposed to stress at any age. An adult can control his emotional state, but this is more difficult for children.

Adults influence the development of a child’s psyche and emotional state. Peers also matter, but parents and other close people are more important. Children are exposed to stress equally from excessive care and complete indifference on the part of their parents. It is important to find a balance that will allow the little person to grow into a healthy person.

Regardless of upbringing, the child throws tantrums, screaming and lying on the floor in the most inappropriate places. For the first time, he tests how adults will behave. If this situation repeats regularly, the moment is lost. A little manipulator can get carried away and get into the role so much that regular hysterics will lead to constant tension in the nervous system, which results in emotional lability.

Emotional lability: what is it in children - lack of upbringing, pathology or characteristic? Regular manifestation of symptoms signals a problem, and a one-time “action” is a routine check of the extent of what is permitted.

As for teenagers, the question remains open. During puberty and alienation from their parents, children experience a lot of stress due to changes in their body and appearance. In this regard, many of them face problems in communication, in choosing a hobby, and in behavioral strategies. The same algorithm applies here: regular and vivid manifestation of symptoms is a cry for help, rare manifestations are simply a period of growing up.

It doesn’t matter who suffers from emotional lability - a child, an adult, a man, a woman, an elderly person. Anyone can need help, so it is important to use corrective methods and seek professional treatment.

Forms of manifestations and physiology

Lability (this is a very common definition in psychology) can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the specific type of personality accentuation. If a person is emotionally weak, he tends to behave more impulsively and seems to be unable to control himself. This often leads to negative consequences.

With emotional lability, an individual is capable of committing actions that he later regrets. However, attacks of aggression occur less frequently with age, and gradually a person becomes more balanced. And if a psychologist works with him, then the signs of increased lability stop much earlier.

In borderline states, people often discover new talents. They are quite impressionable, but disciplined, thanks to which they are able to achieve creative heights. However, with borderline lability, the situation can easily change in favor of increased or decreased lability.

If we talk about physiological manifestations, then with increased emotional lability in women, the hormonal balance of the body can be restructured.

How does it manifest in childhood?

Lability is also a common type of definition of character traits in children's psychology. For example, many are sure that modern children are too capricious, because their parents raise them incorrectly and allow everything. However, such theories are only partially true.

First of all, any psychologist will say that the connection is usually traced between the pathologies themselves affecting the nervous system and the amount of attention that the child receives from parents and other children. With high excitability, the child may subsequently begin to suffer from emotional weakness.

Therefore, it cannot be said that moodiness and other manifestations are only the result of upbringing. However, the problem is that parents often aggravate the child's condition.

For example, if a student shows signs of increased lability, makes trouble and does not want to study, parents begin to punish him (for example, deprive him of computer games, a telephone, etc.). In the end, they only make the situation worse, since a person with such mental problems only needs a minor push for his condition to worsen.

It must be remembered that emotional lability, from which children most often suffer, can cause further development of neurosis. But if we are talking about a teenager who has all the signs of a weakened nervous system, then the problem does not always lie in mental characteristics.

As a rule, the changing hormonal system and the appearance of the first problems in the process of socialization are responsible for changes in mood at this age.

What is an emotive: characteristics

05.03.2018

Pozharisky I.

The cycloid or cyclothymic personality type is such characteristics of reaction and behavior that consist in wave-like changes in mood and corresponding behavior.

In order not to become a victim of their own sensitivity, people with excessive emotionality have to learn to control it and adapt to generally accepted norms. Following simple rules will help a lot in this:

1. Raise your self-esteem and self-confidence through the successes you have already achieved. You can never achieve what you have already achieved.
2. Create a comfortable environment around you.
3. Strive to be more relaxed in communication, constantly find new friends.
4. Treat your emotionality with self-irony and understanding. This is your peculiarity and you have to accept it.

Humor is an excellent helper for such people. With a joke you can smooth out the corners of the most difficult situations and find contact with people.

Behavior correction methods

Emotional lability and its treatment are an important aspect in the formation of the personality of children. Adults also require correction, since the pathology does not disappear on its own. Before working with the nervous system, it is necessary to establish the cause of the symptoms.

If this is regular stress, you will have to find its root cause and try to eliminate it. If this is a disease of the cerebral cortex, endocrine or nervous system, therapy with a psychiatrist will be only a small part of the treatment program. In any case, it is worth undergoing an examination of the body and contacting a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

Doctors prescribe special medications for adults that can control their emotional state and suppress outbursts of anger, aggression, and expressiveness. Treatment of childhood syndrome occurs differently. Most medications are intended only for adult patients, but other methods of work are used with children.

Emotional lability syndrome in children - is it self-expression or pathology?

Character trait

can be adjusted - this is the responsibility of the parents. If a pathology is detected, specialist intervention is required. Drugs are almost never prescribed to children, since taking them at a young age can lead to serious consequences. If treatment is unavoidable, the doctor gives preference to medications based on herbal ingredients.

Help from a psychologist

When a person is unable to resist accentuation on his own, he can seek help from a specialist. The following methods of psychotherapy are used.

1. Individual conversations. The patient is told about his vulnerabilities and how to balance his character traits.
2. Group classes. People who have similar accentuations gather and talk about a topic that is useful for everyone. The psychologist teaches what behavioral models are productive in various situations, talks about the rules of proper communication with people, and explains how to interact with family members.
3. Family therapy. The whole family is involved in the learning process. Relationships are being established and the family atmosphere is improving.
4. Psychological trainings. Classes that teach how to behave correctly in certain situations.
5. Methodology of psychodrama. It is a group method that is based on creating an exciting situation. Help is provided in developing correct behavior and communication with family members.

Now you know what accentuation of a person’s character is. As you can see, this phenomenon sometimes needs correction. If you find yourself with a condition that has a negative impact on your life, go to see a psychologist or psychotherapist. You can also try to cope on your own, on your own. The main thing is not to be idle, because you deserve a better life.

Prevention

Prevention of emotional lability is implemented throughout life. It can be roughly divided into 4 important stages:

1. child;
2. teenager;
3. adult;
4. elderly.

Each life stage has its own characteristics. Tantrums and unstable emotional state of the child are corrected by patience and personal example of parents and other adults. Children are a mirror image of their parents, so you need to take care of yourself first of all.

Teenagers are a special category, since development during this period is characterized by rebellion. There are exceptions, but they are rare. It is important to talk to teenagers who are prone to emotional swings as if they were adults and try to understand them. Shouting, threats and punishment will not lead to positive results.

An adult must control himself and monitor outbursts of emotions. Ignoring the problem does not help solve it, but only makes the situation worse. Here it is important to listen to the opinions of loved ones. If they notice emotional instability, mood swings and other symptoms, then they still need to monitor themselves. In other words, for an adult, the prevention of emotional lability consists mostly of self-control.

Older people are more likely to suffer from mental illnesses, such as senile dementia. Prevention for this category of people should be a continuation of work on oneself. Tracking your emotional state will help you avoid serious problems in the future, so you need to avoid stressful situations and take care of your nervous system.

Relationships with other types

Emotives experience especially great difficulties in communicating with people who have different accentuations. They are non-conflict, simple and constant, while hyperthymia or schizoid constantly require some kind of outburst, sometimes aggressive. It becomes even more difficult to interact with them in such a situation, so it is better to limit the list of friends to persons who do not have strong character traits.

A partner must learn to understand an emotive person, and this is something that is difficult for almost all accentuated individuals. They prefer to be cared for than to show understanding to others. And when building a relationship with such a person, be prepared to go ahead and lead him, confidently but gently.

Type classification

For the first time, the classification of accentuations (specific character traits) was proposed by the German psychiatrist Karl Leonhard. He became the author of the concept of accentuated personality and described character traits that are within the normal range, but have some similarities with mental disorders.

Although the classification is based on the behavior of healthy people, Leonhard studied psychopathology and borderline disorders. Therefore, the famous Soviet psychiatrist Andrei Lichko most accurately described the 8 personality types of people without mental illness.

The schizoid type is an active person, but constantly in a state of anxiety. He is frightened by intimacy with others, so he often avoids love relationships, devaluing them. Psychasthenic is a neat and reasonable person who constantly torments himself with excessive self-reflection. Internal analysis rarely produces tangible results, but it instills a feeling of uncertainty and constraint due to the fear of making a mistake. Sensitive is a kind and sincere person who is distinguished by timidity and shyness. At some point, such people enter a period of overcompensation, when they strive to prove their courage, cheerfulness, and relevance. Astheno-neurotic - a person who quickly gets tired and irritated for any reason, often suffers from hypochondria

It is important to distinguish representatives of this type from people with neurasthenia. Cycloid - the mood of such people changes in waves, on average, one period lasts up to 2 weeks: subdepression is replaced by a joyful mood, and then the cycle repeats again and again. A hyperthymic person is an active and productive person who easily takes on new things, but very rarely completes them. He does not feel any pangs of conscience about this. Epileptoid is a type in which two emotions prevail: anger and melancholy. Labile is a person of mood in whom one can detect traits from the description of each characteristic at different time intervals.

An emotionally labile personality type is difficult to identify with a superficial acquaintance

It is important to see the dynamics of mood changes

Suitable professions

As for work, emotive people are most suited to activities that require conscientiousness, responsibility and creativity. An ideal option would be a specialty related to the creation of beautiful things, be it a designer or a florist. They will be able to handle small children quite well, but teenagers will most likely deprive them of their balance, just like some kind of strong-arm professions.

Becoming an emotive person while living in society is not very easy. Therefore, you will have to be prepared to learn to control yourself. But at the same time, special sensitivity can make a person friendly, sensitive, caring, which attracts people to him. Volunteering, medicine, education - all areas that contribute to helping others are available for implementation by emotive.

In the article, I talked about the emotive personality type and explained in detail what it is. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you feel emotional. Independence can destroy your self-confidence, while true friends will enhance all the positive aspects of your character and neutralize your shortcomings.