Cycloid personality type recommendations. Cycloid (cyclothymic) personality type: how is it characterized?

Since school age, parents have always been happy for their son. He grew up as a capable, calm child. He always obeyed his elders and treated them politely. There were no special problems with my studies, I helped my parents, and was fond of chess. I went through adolescence relatively smoothly. At some moments he was impulsive, but knew how to control himself.

One day he told his parents that he no longer wanted to go to school and would rather stay at home. The parents did not expect such a response from the child and never saw a depressed mood. We started to find out the reason for this. The boy did not have a girlfriend, there was still a lot of time left before the exams, there were no problems with teachers and classmates. Every day the mood worsened, the child did not want to communicate with anyone. This made parents very worried. A few days later he was taken to a psychologist. He conducted testing and found out that his son has a cycloid type of character accentuation.

Definition

In psychological science, a cycloid is a psychotype that has a phase change from hypertolerance to subdepression. The first phase lasts several months, sometimes several years. The second phase takes place literally in 2-3 weeks. For each person with such characteristics, the duration of the phases may differ.

The diagram might look like this:

For three to four months, a person behaves calmly, he is cheerful and balanced, and open to communication with other people.

There comes a moment that lasts two or three weeks when a person feels depressed and refuses communication and hobbies.

A quiet period begins again, lasting 3-4 months and so on.

It happens that a cycloid lives in a calm, equilibrium state for many years. But as soon as a stressful situation appears, the state of the psyche changes. Such factors may include the death of a loved one, divorce, or illness. This can be the starting point for a change in mood. For certain people, subdepression may last only three days. If this condition is not dealt with, cyclothymia may develop. This is a mental disorder characterized by mood changes. In this case, specialist help and special treatment are required.

Types of psychotypes

Leonhard's accentuation considers cyclothymia as an extreme variant of the norm, not a disease. From the category of people with affective psychoses, 2 groups are distinguished:

• typical;
• labile.

A typical cyclothymic individual is a person who experiences periods of ups and downs in mood with the same frequency - 2-3 weeks. The first crisis occurs in adolescence. An active and active teenager suddenly ceases to be interested in what is happening around him, shuns his peers, and spends time alone.

He thinks about the meaning of life, he is not satisfied with the existing state of affairs, and a feeling of his own inferiority arises. Any criticism addressed to oneself is perceived very painfully and can become an impetus for attempting suicide. The very fact of the desire to die is not advertised; the action is performed under the influence of passion.

Depression gives way to emotional uplift; this can be influenced by a new acquaintance, a long-awaited letter, financial encouragement - that is, any pleasant event that becomes a trigger for the transition from the hypothymic to hyperthymic phase. A person is actively interested in current events, empathizes, jokes, and is the center of attention. He is sociable, cheerful, manages to do a lot of things in a day, returns to his old hobbies, and shows affection for people he likes. After 2-3 weeks, in a typical cyclothymic, the light bulb is turned off again, and the whole world becomes dull and gray for him.

In labile cycloids, ups and downs in mood occur at short intervals: each period lasts 2-3 days. These are active, inquisitive, cheerful, charming people who have an unstable character. They are easily upset or offended, they are sensitive to what is happening, react sensitively to changes in attitude towards themselves, and are sensitive to cardinal changes in life. They plunge into depression deeply, hopelessly, and attempts to get them out of this state lead nowhere: the cyclothymic person at this moment is convinced that life is over for him and there is nothing to be happy about.

2-3 days pass and close people note that the cycloid has a sparkle in his eyes, he plans some meetings, talks a lot on the phone, and makes grandiose plans for the future. A typical feature of labile cyclothymics is an overestimation of their own capabilities. They cannot really assess the current situation and at this time they often commit expansive, risky actions that threaten their health and life.

Leading features

The following features correspond to this type of accentuation:

1. Mood can change under the influence of internal and external factors. Also, a change can occur for no reason.
2. With hyperthymia, a person is characterized mainly positively.
3. During subdepression, a decline in mood is observed. Cases of suicide are possible.

Jung noted that the cycloid during hyperthymia is a representative of extroverts. He actively communicates and builds relationships. With subdepression, this state changes and his thoughts are directed towards experiences. During such a period, a person forgets about his surroundings and perceives people with hostility.

Features of the central nervous system

In a cyclothymic personality type, the central nervous system works in a special way. It looks like a cycloid. The periods from one to the other are not so sharp. The rate of change in condition depends on individual characteristics. The duration of the phase varies for each person: from several weeks to several years.

The diagram might look like this:

At the highest point, the central nervous system is in a calm state and independently copes with the tensions that arise in the cerebral cortex. When the cycloid begins to move towards the bottom point, tension begins to accumulate.

At the lowest point, a person begins to fall into a depressed mood. With further development, a reverse rise to the top point is observed. A person gradually copes with his problems on his own.

For people with such features of the central nervous system, special techniques are used. They are able to hold the cycloid at the highest point and lift people out of a depressed state as quickly as possible.

Cycloid accentuation of adolescents

The most unpleasant thing about the cycloid personality type is that it does not appear from birth, and the child does not have the opportunity to get used to living in accordance with his own character traits. But the best thing is that the cycloid type may indeed be a consequence of adolescence, when the body is rapidly developing, and the psyche is affected by many factors that aggravate the adolescent’s reactions. The periods between accentuation phases can gradually increase and eventually disappear completely.

As a rule, in childhood, cycloids are no different from other children, except that they are a little more active and sociable than they may resemble hyperthyms. At the age of 16-18 years (in girls, perhaps a little earlier, simultaneously with the first menstruation), cycloidity manifests itself - the first subdepressive phase begins. Irritability increases, drowsiness and apathy appear, problems with studying arise, and attentiveness decreases. Places where there are a lot of people seem almost like torture rooms, and even a noisy group of friends, which used to be so good, is not at all attractive.

The teenager himself does not notice that something is wrong with him. He just starts spending more time at home, eating less and sleeping longer. There may also be externally objective reasons for such behavior. Sometimes decreased appetite is explained by the desire to lose weight, the desire to stay at home is due to a quarrel with peers or local punks, and memory loss is due to overwork.

Bad mood is aggravated by troubles arising from other manifestations of subdepression.

Any stress is extremely difficult to experience, all comments and reproaches cause active opposition and irritation, while in the inner world of a teenager they only strengthen a negative outlook on life and lack of motivation.

Negative and positive traits

The period of subdepression is characterized by the presence of negative traits. The person does not want to communicate with others. Experiences significant difficulties in building new relationships. He cannot make decisions on his own and doubts everything. Also during this period, a person is characterized by impotence, memory loss, irritability, and alcohol abuse.

Throughout the day, fatigue, chronic fatigue, and drowsiness are observed. At night, on the contrary, there is increased excitability and lack of sleep.

In this phase, a person sharply reduces self-esteem. He torments himself for actions he committed many years ago. This often ends not only in the destruction of personality, but also in an extremely severe form of the disorder. The results of many years of work are being destroyed. People are capable of burning their own literary works, paintings, and destroying clothes. They do not want to work without thinking about the consequences.

Hyperthymic phase. Negative behavioral traits can also appear in the hyperthymic phase. The person has rapid, incomprehensible speech. Self-esteem is often inflated. The personal space of the interlocutors is violated and due respect is lacking. There is no self-reflection, there is a constant change of interests, frivolity and promiscuity in contacts are observed.

During this period, people with the cycloid type of accentuation experience excessive excitability. People are active and irrepressible. Others cannot understand the reason for this behavior. This makes it difficult for a person to socialize.

Cyclothymic in the hyperthymic phase may also have positive features. A person experiences a constant emotional upsurge. A good mood allows you to solve a large number of things during the day. People quickly get used to a new environment, are able to take action, are friendly and hospitable.

The behavior of such a person is characterized by a change from a long period of good mood to deep depression.

Changes occur very clearly; it may seem to those close to you that there are two personalities living in a person. One is cheerful and cheerful, and the other is irritable, striving for loneliness.

Features of behavior and response

Typical cycloids at first do not show any peculiarities of their behavior and reaction. Children, as a rule, are lively, active, enthusiastic and sociable. With the onset of the teenage crisis, during the period of active puberty or immediately after it, by the age of 16-19, the first case of subdepression is recorded.

In girls, the first case of “decline” can be associated with menarche (the first menstruation) and can be recorded much earlier - from the age of thirteen. It is often accompanied by complaints that are objective for the given situation: pain, dizziness. But other symptoms are similar, and the main manifestations are associated with:

• severe apathy;
• irritability and lethargy;
• “a streak of bad luck”;
• difficulties in learning and mastering material;
• fatigue from peers and companies;
• reducing the attractiveness of risk and new experiences;
• decreased attractiveness of social activities, sporting achievements, leadership;
• changes in taste preferences;
• drowsiness, instead of insomnia, characteristic of ordinary depression;
• pessimistic perception of reality;
• extremely difficult experiences associated with comments;
• irritation and retaliatory attacks during constructive criticism;
• possible development of additional accusations of oneself for “not such behavior”;
• affective, non-demonstrative suicide attempts (in extreme cases, successful acts of suicide).

It is the last point that forces parents, on their own initiative or at the direction of doctors, to consult a psychiatrist. Often, immediately after suicide attempts, a teenager ends up in a psychiatric ward.

It is important to note that such patients tend to have a “dramatic recovery” after the attempts described above. In a treatment facility, they begin to dramatically “feel better” without the use of antidepressants, and are critical of their actions and behavior over the last period.

The most common case in scientific literature and a kind of classic case is that of a sixteen-year-old teenager. Came to the attention of psychiatrists after a suicide attempt. Before this, Fr. Everything started to get out of hand, bad grades appeared, and I stopped being interested in studying.

They were also reluctant to undergo training, “carelessly.” Lost interest in scientific work and social activities. Taste preferences changed and appetite disappeared. His general state became depressed and pessimistic, and he often tried to prove to his father that there was no justice in life. Facts of abuse of alcohol or other psychotropic drugs were excluded. There were no specific cases of failure in intimate or sexual contacts that could provoke such a condition.

After “working at school” and a conflict with his parents, he felt his “spiritual poverty” and “inferiority” and attempted medication suicide, which was recognized as a true non-demonstrative attempt against the background of an acute affective reaction.

After providing resuscitation measures, the patient’s mood improved sharply without the use of antidepressants, he assessed his actions critically, and missed his family, friends and studies. When assessed by a psychologist and psychiatrist, a cycloid (cyclothymic) personality type was diagnosed.

Then it was observed for two years, every one to two months, lasting from one to two weeks. However, awareness helped to cope with them with minimal risk to health and social contacts. By the age of nineteen, the phases smoothed out and stopped bothering me.

But, in fairness, we can say that the manifestation of the phases of typical cycloids is not always alarming during the period of subdepression. Sometimes parents are worried about pronounced hyperthymia.

Thus, the phase of depression in a 14-year-old girl coincided with periods of menstrual bleeding, was supplemented by complaints of physical ailments and pain, and was attributed by her parents to this fact. However, it did not give way to the usual state, but transitioned into a hyperthymic streak of behavior. And if the incredible rise in mood and the desire to make up for lost time in studies only made the household happy, then previously unusual risky actions, “strange and thoughtless acquaintances” and unusual, bold, often evil “banter” with adults surprised them and forced them to turn first to the school psychologist, and then then to a psychotherapist.

It was also revealed that in this phase the girl talked about the impossibility of being alone and the boredom that a predictable and measured life caused. She admitted that during these periods she was thinking about “seeing the world” and “hitchhiking.” However, “after a week I didn’t make up my mind.” It was these additions that prompted the idea to diagnose and then confirm the cycloid (cyclothymic) personality type.

As you can see from this example, it is important to work with clients not only in the “everything is bad” stage, but also in the “the whole world is at our feet” stage. Indeed, in the case described, hitchhiking for a teenage girl can be fraught with no less sad consequences than suicide attempts in the depression phase.

Classification

Typical cycloids. In adolescence, character accentuation does not manifest itself. Then the phase change begins. Each phase can last from 2 to 3 weeks. Negative and positive traits during such a period are clearly expressed.

Labile cycloids are distinguished by the fact that their phases last from several hours to several weeks. The accentuation does not have such a pronounced character. People do not seek to commit suicide, but simply become despondent. The person is not particularly sociable with his surroundings.

First about accentuations

Classifications of character accentuations were presented by A. E. Lichko and K. Leonhard. The typology of the first consisted of 11 personality types, each of which has special manifestations observed in adolescence. He also identified types:

• Explicit accentuation. This is when a person's character traits are expressed throughout life.
• And hidden. Acute characteristics emerge in difficult environments and situations.

Leonhard identified 12 species, some of which coincide with Lichko’s classification. Divided into the following groups:

• Emotionality.
• Character.
• Personal level.

He studied the typology of adult characters.

Accented disposition is formed and developed under the influence of many factors. These include a lack of communication with peers and parents. The main reason is heredity. The appearance of acute character traits in a child is influenced by the environment (family and friends), the wrong parenting style (excessive care or lack of attention, love and care).

Formation of accentuation

Like other accentuations, the cycloid variant is formed from the moment a person is born. This is influenced by the following factors:

1. Hormonal characteristics, age, pregnancy, etc.
2. Physical activity and emotional experiences.
3. Situations that are traumatic to the psyche: death of a loved one, change of job, place of residence, illness.
4. Climate change, disruption of routine, sleep, rest.

The cycloid is seriously influenced by the characteristics of the nervous system and factors that are transmitted by inheritance.

In addition, serious diseases of the nervous system, psychopathy, head injuries, hereditary personality disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, and infections with severe intoxication can be influential factors. All this can even cause cyclothymia, a serious mental illness that will require a lot of time and effort to treat.

Reasons for development

Not clearly defined, but there are a number of factors that can aggravate the development of the cycloid personality type and lead to psychological pathologies. Let's look at them:

• These are psychological deviations of relatives.
• Brain damage (trauma) and infections accompanied by fever and intoxication.
• Use of toxic substances.

And, of course, psychological trauma. This is a dangerous moment when a psychological traumatic situation or circumstance coincides with a phase of bad mood. This only worsens the dejected state, which can lead to a suicide attempt.

Gender and age characteristics

In men, the hyperthymic phase lasts much longer than subdepression. However, it is very difficult. A person experiences the event very strongly, all its depth. Men try to hide their depressed state. They go to work, communicate with colleagues. However, they can lash out at children and family members. The hyperthymic period is calmer.

For women, everything happens exactly the opposite. With subdepression, they can be capricious and conflict with loved ones. This condition may last for several weeks. Women do not reach the point of suicide and despair. During the hyperthymic phase, the weaker sex likes to have fun, make new acquaintances, and visit clothing stores.

In children before adolescence, it is very difficult to recognize the cyclothymic (cycloid) type of accentuation. A child can change his mood many times during the day. Children do not know how to hide their emotions; they become sad over insignificant things. The only sign by which one can judge that a child is a cycloid is a bad mood combined with physical fatigue.

Attacks at an early age are very rare, however, they are worth focusing on. This will allow you to prepare for the teenage crisis in the future.

Adolescence is the most dangerous age for the cyclothymic type. The period of subdepression is very pronounced. This can be frightening for parents and the child himself. At this age, children often commit suicide. Teenagers are unable to cope with their emotions, which leads to a loss of control over themselves. In these cases, adults should be ready to help. It is important to support the child and be close to him. Adult cycloids have certain differences compared to children and adolescents. If in the latter the accentuation of character is aimed at hyperthymia, then an adult, in the absence of provoking factors, can live very calmly and well. People learn to live with mood swings. The environment gets used to such a person. In some cases, subdepression can last a long time or develop into a severe mental disorder.

Cycloid type

With the cycloid type of character accentuation, the presence of two phases is observed - hyperthymia and subdepression. They are not expressed sharply, are usually short-term (1-2 weeks) and can be interspersed with long breaks. A person with cycloid accentuation experiences cyclical mood changes, when depression is replaced by elevated mood. When their mood declines, such people show increased sensitivity to reproaches and do not tolerate public humiliation well. However, they are proactive, cheerful and sociable. Their hobbies are unstable; during periods of recession, they tend to give up on things. Sex life is highly dependent on the rise and fall of their general condition. In the elevated, hyperthymic phase, such people are extremely similar to hyperthymic people.

Detailed description according to A.E. Lichko

Fragment from the book “Psychopathy and Character Accentuations in Adolescents”

​​​​​​​As you know, this type of character was described in 1921 by E. Kretschmer and was first often mentioned in psychiatric research. P. B. Gannushkin (1933) included four types of psychopathy in the “cycloid group” - constitutionally depressive, constitutionally excited (hyperthymic), cyclothymic and emotionally labile. He considered cyclothymia as a type of psychopathy. However, later this concept began to mean relatively mild cases of manic-depressive psychosis, and the existence of cycloid™ outside the framework of this disease was questioned. Since the 1940s, cycloid psychopathy has disappeared from psychiatric manuals. In recent years, cycloidity has again attracted attention, but as one of the premorbid types of patients with endogenous psychoses, and often the cycloid and hyperthymic types are not separated.

Meanwhile, there is a special group of cases where cyclical changes in the emotional background never even approach the psychotic level. G. E. Sukhareva (1959) noted similar non-psychotic cyclothymic fluctuations in adolescents, which can generally smooth out with the onset of maturity. Such cases, from our point of view, would be more correctly considered as cycloid accentuations.

Our research with S.D. Ozeretskovsky [Lichko A.E., Ozeretskovsky S.D., 1972] allowed us to identify two variants of cycloid accentuation in adolescence - typical and labile cycloids.

Typical cycloids in childhood are no different from their peers or give the impression of being hyperthymic. With the onset of puberty (in girls this may coincide with menarche), and even more often at the age of 16-19, when puberty ends, the first subdepressive phase occurs. More often it manifests itself as apathy and irritability. In the morning you feel a loss of strength, everything falls out of your hands. What was previously easy and simple now requires incredible effort. It becomes more difficult to study. Human society begins to become a burden. Noisy groups of peers, previously attractive, are now avoided. Adventure and risk lose all appeal. Previously lively teenagers are now becoming sad homebodies. Appetite decreases, previously favorite foods no longer evoke pleasure. Instead of the insomnia characteristic of severe depression, drowsiness is often observed. In tune with the mood, everything takes on a pessimistic tint. Minor troubles and failures, which usually begin to fall due to a decline in working capacity, are extremely difficult to experience. They may respond to comments and reproaches with irritation, even rudeness and anger, but deep down they make them feel even more despondent. Serious failures and criticism from others can deepen a subdepressive state or cause an acute affective reaction of the intrapunitive type with suicidal attempts. Usually only in this case do adolescents come to the attention of a psychiatrist.

Yuri P., 16 years old. He grew up in a friendly family. I studied well in English school until the last grade. He was distinguished by his cheerful disposition, sociability, liveliness, was fond of sports, willingly participated in social work, and was the chairman of the school club.

The last few weeks have changed. For no reason, my mood worsened, “some kind of blues set in,” everything began to fall out of hand, I began to have difficulty studying, abandoned social work, sports, and quarreled with my comrades. After classes I sat at home. Sometimes he argued with his father, proving that “there is no truth in life.” Sleep and appetite worsened These days, he accidentally came across a popular science magazine with an article about the dangers of masturbation. Since he himself secretly masturbated, but had not previously attached any importance to it, he now decided to quit, but discovered that he “lacked the will.” He thought that “impotence, madness and dementia” awaited him. On the same days at school, at a general Komsomol meeting, he was subjected to severe criticism by his comrades for the collapse of the social work that he had previously led. One of his classmates called him “the mold of society.” At the meeting, at first he snapped, then fell silent. I realized that he was a “defective person.” The thought of suicide arose. Returning home from school, he waited until night and, when his parents fell asleep, took 50 tablets of meprobamate. He left a note where he wrote that he was a “spiritually poor person” and was guilty before the school and the state.

From the intensive care center he was taken to the adolescent ward of a psychiatric hospital. Here, in the very first days, my condition suddenly and dramatically changed, although I did not receive antidepressants. My mood became slightly elevated, I became sociable, active, easily made contact, and was full of energy. He didn’t understand what was wrong with him, “for no reason, some kind of blues came over him.” Now it’s all gone, my mood has improved, I’m glad I’m still alive. A suicide attempt is assessed critically. She feels good, her appetite has even increased, her sleep has become sound and calm. He misses his family, school and friends. Strives to continue studying.

Survey using PDO. According to the objective assessment scale, the cycloid type was diagnosed. Conformity is average, the reaction of emancipation is not expressed. There is a negative attitude towards alcoholism. According to the subjective assessment scale, self-esteem is insufficient: no traits of any type emerged.

Diagnosis. Acute affective intrapunitive reaction with a true attempt at suicide against the background of cycloid type accentuation.

Follow-up after 2 years. He successfully graduated from school and is studying at the institute. Notes that after leaving the hospital there were “bad periods” lasting 1-2 weeks and repeating every 1-2 months. By the time of follow-up, these fluctuations had smoothed out.

In typical cycloids, the phases are usually short, 1-2 weeks [Ozeretskovsky S. D., 1974]. Subdepression can be replaced by a normal state or a period of recovery, when the cycloid again turns into hyperthymia, strives for company, makes acquaintances, aspires to leadership and usually makes up for what was lost in study and work in the subdepressive phase. Periods of uplift occur less frequently than subdepressive phases, and are not as bright. According to the observation of Yu. A. Strogonov (1972), sometimes only usually unusual, risky jokes on elders and the desire to make jokes everywhere can catch the eyes of others.

Cycloid teenagers have their own places of “least resistance”. They are different in the subdepressive phase and during the recovery period. In the latter case, the same weaknesses appear as in the hyperthymic type: intolerance to loneliness, monotonous and measured life, painstaking work, promiscuity in acquaintances, etc. In the subdepressive phase, the Achilles heel becomes a radical break in the life stereotype. This, apparently, explains the protracted subdepressive states inherent in cycloids in the first years of higher educational institutions [Strogonov Yu. A., 1973] A sharp change in the nature of the educational process!, the deceptive ease of the first student days, the lack of daily control from teachers, giving way to the need to learn in a short The duration of the test and examination session is much more material than in school - all this breaks the educational stereotype instilled in the previous decade. You have to make up for lost time with intensive exercises, and in the subdepressive phase this does not lead to the desired results. Overwork and asthenia prolong the subdepressive phase, and an aversion to studying and mental activities in general appears.

In the subdepressive phase, there also appears selective sensitivity to reproaches, reproaches, accusations addressed to oneself - to everything that contributes to thoughts about one’s own inferiority, worthlessness, and uselessness.

Labile cycloids, unlike typical ones, are in many ways close to the labile (emotionally labile) type. The phases here are much shorter - two or three “good” days are followed by several “bad” ones. “Bad” days are more marked by a bad mood than by lethargy, loss of energy or poor health. Within one period, short changes in mood are possible, caused by relevant news or events. But unlike the labile type described below, there is no excessive emotional reactivity, a constant readiness of mood to easily and abruptly change for minor reasons

Valery R., 16 years old, grew up in a friendly family, attached to his parents and older brother, who serves in the army. Since childhood, he was lively, affectionate, sociable, obedient. He studies well. In the last two or three years, he himself began to notice that his mood was fluctuating: two or three good days, when he felt uplifted, alternated with days of “blueness”, when he easily quarreled, and, in his words, “intolerance to comments and bossy tone” appeared. , prefers solitude, reluctantly goes to school, which he generally loves. He has been in love with a classmate for more than two years, and is very attached to her. A few days ago my mood deteriorated again. It seemed that the beloved girl became interested in another boy. Out of jealousy, he deliberately told her that he himself fell in love with another, and a breakup occurred. I was extremely upset by what happened. I thought about her all the time, I couldn’t find a place for myself, I cried secretly, I saw her in my dreams every night. I looked for sympathy and empathy from my friends - I was amazed at their “indifference.” At their suggestion, I took part in a joint drink, but the wine only intensified the melancholy. Returning home, I felt “complete hopelessness and loneliness.” When his parents fell asleep, he climbed into the hot bath and inflicted several deep cuts on himself with a razor. He lost consciousness from bleeding. He woke up in the arms of his father, who accidentally discovered him.

During the first three days in the teenage ward of a psychiatric hospital, he remained depressed and spoke of his unwillingness to live. His beloved girl found him through the ambulance helpline and came to visit him - he refused to meet with her.

Then my mood changed for the better (I did not receive psychotropic drugs), I met my beloved, and made peace with her. For two days there was an “up” - I became cheerful, sociable, eager to go home and missed school. Subsequently, the mood is even. Critically evaluates his actions and considers himself guilty. In conversation, he reveals emotional lability and seeks empathy.

Survey using PDO. According to the objective assessment scale, the labile-cycloid type was diagnosed. Conformity is average, emancipation reaction is moderate. A high B-index (B-6) was detected, although neither in the anamnesis, nor during a neurological examination, nor on an EEG was there any evidence for the presence of residual organic brain damage. The psychological tendency to alcoholism is high. According to the subjective assessment scale, self-esteem is correct, labile, cycloid, hyperthymic features are highlighted, sensitive features are rejected.

Diagnosis. Reactive depression with a suicide attempt against the background of accentuation of the labile-cycloid type.

Follow-up after 2 years. Healthy. Studying at university. There were no repeated suicide attempts. Still notices mood swings.

In both typical and labile cycloids, reactions of emancipation and grouping with peers intensify during periods of recovery. Hobbies are unstable - during subdepressive periods they are abandoned, during periods of recovery - they return to them or find new ones. Adolescents themselves do not show a noticeable decrease in sexual desire in the subdepressive phase, although, according to the observations of relatives, sexual interests fade away on “bad days.” Severe behavioral disorders (delinquency, running away from home, etc.) are not typical for cycloids. But during periods of recovery, they may show a tendency towards alcoholism in companies. Suicidal behavior in the form of affective (but not demonstrative) attempts or true suicide attempts is possible in the subdepressive phase, if at this time the teenager is subjected to mental trauma, strengthening him in thoughts of his inferiority.

Self-esteem of character in cycloids is formed gradually, as the experience of “good” and “bad” periods accumulates. A teenager may not yet have such experience and therefore self-esteem may be imperfect.

Cycloid accentuation, as indicated, only occasionally comes under the supervision of a psychiatrist (usually these are cases of suicide attempts). However, in healthy adolescents it can be detected in 2-5% [Ivanov N. Ya., 1976], and of these, half can be classified as typical, and the other half as labile cycloids. In post-adolescence (18-19 years), the percentage of cycloids increases significantly, and the percentage of hyperthyms decreases [Borovik T. Ya., 1976; Peretyaka O.P., 1981] Apparently, due to some endogenous patterns, the hyperthymic type can transform into a cycloid type - against the background of previously constant hyperthymicity, short subdepressive phases appear.

Features of communication

Periodic changes in mood leave an imprint on communication and relationships with people around you. On the one hand, the cycloid evokes sympathy for its openness, sincerity and desire to help. Such people will be the first to lend money and provide support. But this continues only during the period of hyperthymia. On the other hand, they are characterized by shockingness and high energy. These traits tire calm people.

With the onset of a subdepressive period, the situation becomes more complicated. Cycloids stop communicating and become withdrawn. The close environment becomes alien. Relatives and friends cannot always understand what is happening, they get offended and become victims of a bad mood. During such a period, people with a cyclothymic type of character should not express comments or criticism. Any reproaches will be perceived extremely negatively, which can lead to scandals and quarrels.

During the hyperthymic period, you can expect support, sympathy, and help from a person. In a subdepressive state, the opposite will happen: the head of the organization will not sign documents, subordinates will not be able to do their work. Conflicts often occur in the family during such a period.

Cycloids are somewhat difficult to build relationships with. However, if you understand that their mood phases change, you can adapt to the situation. If they are in a bad mood, it is better to leave the cycloids alone, let them go about their business until the “difficult period” passes. When a person is in a good mood, one should definitely take advantage of it, solve problems together, rejoice and enjoy optimism.

To understand what the cycloid type of accentuation is, it is enough to recall such characters as Don Quixote of La Mancha and Alice from Through the Looking Glass. These individuals are distinguished by a good mood, which periodically changes to sadness. They are ready to move mountains, but sometimes they are not even confident in themselves. The writer N.V. Gogol also suffered from depression. During one of these periods, he destroyed the second part of the work “Dead Souls”. The rest of the time he was an optimistic, cheerful person.

Character traits

Already in early childhood, such people can be recognized by their inherent hyperthymia. They are active, too independent, strive to be leaders, hardworking, kind, friendly, which captivates the interlocutor from the first minute of communication. Very talkative, but at the same time overly charming. Thanks to emotionality and gestures, they can present even the simplest story colorfully and richly, adding a humorous twist.

They easily adapt to a new circle, so they socialize without difficulty. They quickly find a common language with others. But there are also some disadvantages, of course:

• Instability of character.
• Impermanence. They often change hobbies and interests.
• Indiscriminateness, for example, in choosing friends, is why people end up in bad company.

It is difficult for the owners of the cycloid type themselves, much less for those around them, to understand their state of mind.

Signs of cyclothymia are difficult to determine if a person’s behavior fits into the concept of “normal”. Outbursts of aggression or states of euphoria and joy occur in all people. But the cycloid personality type, unlike others, is characterized by extreme manifestations of emotions. Psychopathy may be indicated by:

• causeless and frequent changes in mood;
• anger, in which a person ceases to control himself (affect);

• constantly changing self-esteem - too low or too high;
• a sharp change in preferences and interests (a woman loves to knit, but every other day “in her hearts” she cuts an almost finished product into pieces);
• inability to complete things: at first cyclothyme takes on it with enthusiasm, but the passion quickly disappears, and he never returns to his previous occupation;
• inability to concentrate on one thing, concentrate attention on an object or task.

Condition correction

In order to correct behavior, normalize state and communication with the environment, psychologists give the following recommendations to cycloids:

1. It is necessary to keep a personal diary. This will help you analyze your condition and make timely decisions.
2. Determine what factor causes the phase change. It's worth avoiding it.
3. Learn to formulate your thoughts. They should not be chaotic and chaotic.
4. Every task started must be completed.
5. It is important to learn to control your own emotions.

Be responsible for the words spoken.

If you cannot cope with the differences on your own, then you need to contact a specialist. Doctors can prescribe antipsychotics, which can correct a depressive state and improve mood during a depressed period, depending on the phase.

The teenager we talked about at the beginning of the story, with the help of psychological training and his parents, was able to quickly return to the hyperthymic phase. From specialists he received instructions on how to act in the event of subdepression. The parents and teenager took the necessary measures to ensure that everything ended as soon as possible. The boy's knowledge came in handy in adulthood. It never reached the point of deep depression, which often happens with cycloids. This example clearly shows how you can control your own character, as well as the future.

Labile personality type

In childhood, such individuals, as a rule, do not stand out among others. Only a few exhibit neurotic reactions. The main feature is the extreme variability of the emotional state. If the mood changes extremely abruptly, and the reason for this is a very insignificant reason, the formation of a labile personality type is evident. In this case, the emotional state will be accompanied by deep feelings, poor appetite and sleep, a desire to be alone or, conversely, to rush into a noisy company, and so on.

Representatives of this personality type are characterized by sensuality and loyal friendship. They are capable of sincere affection for their loved ones if the latter reciprocate (with love and care), even despite frequent petty quarrels.

Labile teenagers like praise, various signs of attention, and encouragement. But they endure reproach, criticism, condemnation hard, deeply worrying, which leads to despondency. Teenagers of this personality type are familiar with the characteristics of their character, they know that they belong to “people of mood”, everything depends on the latter. They invite others to perceive them as they are.