EXCEPTIONAL STATES

EXCEPTIONAL STATES - a group of temporary mental disorders, united by such common signs as a sudden onset, short duration (minutes, rarely hours), the presence of an upset consciousness with a complete or partial forgetting of events that occurred during this period. Exclusive conditions always represent a short-term psychosis, which can often be expressed in the form of pathological intoxication and pathological affect.

Pathological intoxication is a twilight confusion of consciousness, which usually occurs after taking a small dose of alcohol (50-150 g). External symptoms, peculiar to intoxication, are absent; The patient's movements are accurate and sure, the gait is firm, the speech is clear, the actions are consistent and may not even attract the attention of others. However, often under the influence of intimidating hallucinations And delusional ideas accompanying the darkened consciousness, patients commit dangerous for themselves and others acts of violence. In these cases motor and speech excitation is noted. Pathological intoxication lasts from several minutes to several hours and ends with a deep sleep followed by amnesia.

Pathological affect occurs after a sudden, intense and overwhelming mental trauma. He manifests a sharp motor excitement, which is accompanied by aggressive actions directed not only against the person who caused the patient a mental trauma, but also against casual persons.

Exclusive conditions occur predominantly in individuals who underwent organic central nervous system (craniocerebral injury, meningitis), abusing alcohol, in psychopathic individuals. Of great importance are the temporarily acting depleting factors - mental and physical overwork, lack of sleep. Exclusive conditions are often accompanied by committing socially dangerous acts and entail a subsequent trial. Due to their short duration, they are usually not the subject of direct medical supervision. Therefore, to resolve the diagnostic assessments that arise before the examination, it is very important to have information from those who have observed a picture of a sudden misconduct. A medical professional who has learned of such a fact should, as soon as possible and in detail, question all those who witnessed the incident. A person who has transferred an exceptional condition should be immediately sent with an escort to a consultation with a psychiatrist.