Lability: the concept, characteristics, causes of appearance and methods of treatment

Knowledge of certain psychological states (deviations, disorders) is extremely important for any person. This fully applies to such a state as lability. It is less well known than depression or neurosis, but it does not become less dangerous.

In psychology, the term "mental lability" has a different meaning than in physiology. This is not the number of electrical signals transmitted through the nerve fibers, but the rate of occurrence of the mental process plus the speed of switching between them. In any case, attention is paid not only to the level of lability at any particular moment, but also to differences in this level in various situations.

In general, in science, lability is understood as:

• mobility or mobility (in a normal situation);
• instability (with pathological manifestations);
• variability (the dynamics of certain processes).

Since all biological processes in the body are controlled by the nervous system, in the end, general lability is associated with it. This applies to the frequency of heart vibrations, the number of breaths, and body temperature. On the mood of the more speech there. Therefore, there is a direct link between the severity of variability and the risk of pathologies. Many psychological and mental abnormalities can be corrected with due attention to the state of the autonomic nervous system. It is much earlier than the brain, shows the tension of a stressful situation. The activity of the main organs and systems is activated, the use of internal reserves begins. Only if the tense situation continues for a long time, the central nervous system is already connected.

It is often written that the lability of the psyche is definitely a negative point. This is not so, because such a property of a person allows you to adapt to a changing environment, switch. Lack of mental mobilization, unpreparedness to re-adjust their behavior sometimes causes no less harm than instability. In a normal psyche both moments must be present, which manifest themselves only where they are relevant. Difficulties and problems are associated with an excessive degree of both states. Usually, increased lability means that a person has a specific type of temperament. Choleric patients are distinguished by an increased rate of emotional reaction at a physiological level.

Quite often, the instability of mood associated with:

• neurotic conditions;
• mental trauma in childhood;
• previous traumatic situations of similar content;
• unreadiness of a person to certain social changes, violent upheavals in society.

It is important to understand that lability can also be provoked by purely physiological factors:

• organic brain disorder due to injury;
• poisoning by psychoactive and narcotic substances;
• malignant neoplasms;
• vascular pathologies.

Therefore, the definition of the actual causes of abnormal lability is very important. First of all, it is necessary to check and, if possible, exclude physiological factors.Severe pathological conditions often have to be fixed in inpatient facilities. Organic personality disorder (the so-called asthenic syndrome) is accompanied by various negative manifestations, including rapid fatigue, hypersensitivity, decreased activity and dizziness. In any case, both with the pathological and with the “conditionally normal” quick change of mood there are common features (signs).

With acute and unreasonably strong manifestations of emotions, even in children and adolescents, you need to use the help of professionals. Do not think that all by itself will pass. Even if it is not a matter of pathologies (mentioned above or some others), one may fear the formation of a labile personality type. People belonging to him are well recognized: their mood changes from seemingly insignificant factors. So, having fallen into the rain, not having time to get on the bus or breaking a cup, such personalities fall into deep despondency or tear away their irritation on those around them.

Psychotherapists and other specialists know for sure: in the course of an elementary test, people with a labile personality can change their mood inconsistently in just a minute. This implies:

• increased temper;
• impressive conflict potential;
• weakness of self-control;
• tendency to hysterical attacks.

The classification of deviations of character developed by Licko applies primarily to children. They are characterized as emotionally unstable and unpredictable in their behavior. It is enough that someone “looks at them” in such a way as to cause aggression or a deep decline of faith in oneself. On the other hand, completely insignificant seemingly praise can easily be used to manipulate such children. Both of these extremes must be reversed before they have time to cause negative consequences.

Even the most general characteristic of lability shows that it breaks down into a number of variants. Thus, labile character accentuation in childhood and adolescence is often accompanied by infantilism and / or masks it. Some experts believe that infantilism is a kind of basis for the formation of various psychopathies and other deviations. As a result of years of psychiatric research, it was possible to prove that emotional lability in many cases is accompanied by paradoxical reactions, unmotivated actions. Being offended at someone on a trifling occasion, a person breaks out into a fit of hysterical laughter, or, conversely, when an undeniably joyful event occurs, tears flow in a river.

Along with emotional, characteristic psychomotor processes are observed. So, at the moment of stormy joy, motor excitement is invariably present. If the mood deteriorates, the activity is sharply reduced, up to a complete unwillingness to do anything. Psycho-emotional lability almost inevitably gives rise to:

• increased susceptibility;
• frivolity;
• suspiciousness;
• high sensitivity to criticism of others;
• uncontrollable excitement.

Affectively labile type of accentuation of character must be clearly distinguished from lability in the true sense of the word. A feature of such an accentuation is rather high compensation of negative personality traits by its positive properties. But at the same time, a person is inclined to the unlimited trust of various kinds of authorities, be it any famous personalities, immediate environment, philosophical, religious and political doctrines, liked judgments. Importantly, cooling in relation to all this (often with the transition to opposite positions) can occur very easily and even repeatedly. It is not difficult to understand the consequences of such inconsistency.

With a labile accentuation, practically everything depends on the current emotional state.Sometimes it is impossible to fall asleep, appetite disappears, there is an unexpected desire for solitude or to stay in noisy companies. People with such accentuation may have deep and long emotional attachments, form strong families and be friends with someone for decades. At the same time, much depends on the willingness of other people to put up with frequent quarrels and quirks. People with such a deviation of character are extremely difficult to tolerate separation from those to whom they are attached, it is doubly and triple harder for them to transfer criticism and negative evaluations from the object of their passion.

Additionally, it is necessary to say about intellectual lability (which is often forgotten, reducing everything to a purely emotional sphere). This property of the psyche allows you to process a huge amount of facts, events, judgments, observations. Such processing occurs subconsciously. Intellectually labile individuals can:

• quickly switch from one source of information to another and vice versa;
• simultaneously process information of different nature;
• instantly switch between separate tasks, even if their content is in no way connected or even completely opposite.

This side of lability first attracted the attention of psychologists only in the second half of the twentieth century. The gigantic acceleration of the rhythm of life made it the only possible option for people to adapt to the modern world. Intellectually labile people, for example, during a trip in transport can think about the upcoming report at a meeting, not forgetting where they need to change, where to go, and so on. Calls, noise, conversations do not distract from the solution of such problems.

Acquainted with the negative impact of emotional lability on everyday life, it is easy to understand - timely diagnosis of such a deviation in children is extremely important. Only by quickly adjusting behavior can one increase the level of socialization and avoid subsequent problems. The great difficulty, however, is associated with the absence of usually specific deviations of up to 10–12 years. Even experienced psychologists who are watching a game or everyday communication can hardly distinguish suspicious signs. But you can pay attention to such a risk factor as diseases of various organs of the body, provoked by conditionally pathological microorganisms.

Localization of the infectious focus does not matter: these can be pulmonary pathologies, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, digestion failures, and abnormalities in the work of the liver, endocrine glands. Sometimes other pathologies can provoke negative psychological changes. In this case, a common feature is that the diseases are relatively easy, but they drag out and can quickly return. Studies that clarify the role and significance of each syndrome for the formation of lability are still ahead. But it is already clear that they are, if not a direct cause of deviations, then a background.

The manifestation of lability in adolescents is greater than in children. This is due to a more developed and differentiated psyche, which, by a number of properties, is approaching the psyche of adults. But psychologists have to overcome another difficulty: from 12 to 17 years old, and sometimes a little later, emotional instability occurs in almost every case. Here, parents, elder relatives, classmates and everyone who communicates with problem teenagers can provide invaluable assistance. The first sign that allows one to talk about the folding of lability is an excessively frequent and extremely abrupt change of mood without a good reason.

A slightly lower grade at school, a negative grade from a peer (in passing), and similar events may permanently worsen the mood. But at the same time, there is enough of an approving exclamation so that it improves for a long time. Often emotionally unstable adolescents “light up” with various hobbies, but they can also quickly become disillusioned with them. Another sign - the enthusiasm of popular artists, creative figures. This enthusiasm can reach recklessness.

It is easiest to notice all such manifestations just in the family, at school. Because they have a crucial role in the early diagnosis. Qualified psychologists must interrogate everyone to confirm or refute the assumption of emotional lability. Teenagers who are inclined to her feel well in the family if they are surrounded by attention and valued. But in an unfavorable situation, we must beware of the escalation of the simple desire for independence into a stable rejection of all relatives.

The lability of minors almost completely eliminates claims for leadership in both formal and informal social circles. This personality type has other characteristic manifestations:

• a clear understanding of their emotional instability and related problems;
• the desire to offer themselves to others without a cardinal "alteration", without adjustment to someone's opinion;
• the ability to understand what other people think about them (from the first seconds of communication);
• An adequate response to this attitude (necessarily demonstrated openly).

Sometimes lability is intertwined with hysterical accentuation. At the same time, a certain degree of egocentrism manifests itself, but excludes the demonstrative demonstrativeness of actions. There remains the ability to empathize with other people and to become emotionally attached to them. In contrast to the purely hysterical nature, there is no sophisticated, energetic adventurism, the desire to attract the attention of people by all means. Instead of claims of exclusivity, dreams of peace and tranquility (including for friends, the inner circle) are typical.

It should be noted that the labile personality type may also have a cycloid shade. The peculiarity of such an accentuation consists, as its name implies, in cyclical mood swings. As a result of special studies, other deviations from the norm may be identified, although they are relatively rare. It is possible to assume the presence of lability in adults due to the usual circumstances:

• lack of attention;
• strong mental shocks;
• long and / or very serious life failures;
• established defects of education;
• systematic stress.

When diagnosing it is necessary to collect information also about:

• changes in hormonal levels;
• avitaminosis;
• insufficient or excessive intake of trace elements important to the nervous system.

Having dealt with common features and characteristic signs of lability, it is now necessary to find out: how to behave around people who are prone to it, what mistakes should not be made. Emotionally unstable individuals can dive into some semblance of depression and sometimes even express suicidal thoughts. But this negative mood quickly passes, and to raise the alarm once again is undesirable.

It is important to understand that a labile personality in adults is usually difficult, it can “explode” from any rudeness and even simply from criticism. Increased authoritarianism and craving for scandals is also likely in families.All that remains is to show goodwill. It is necessary to avoid retaliatory anger and rage, because this will only worsen the matter. It is also recommended to exclude conversations on deliberately unpleasant and provocative topics, not to get personal.

The root causes of the limited stability of the nervous system and psyche can be:

• stress;
• organic brain defects and other neurological pathologies;
• psychosis and psychopathy;
• dementia;
• mistakes in education and a bad example of parents, older children.

Only professionals can select treatment! The struggle with lability due to emotional overload is conducted by psychologists. In more serious cases, sedative medications, sometimes tranquilizers or antidepressants, are prescribed. It is necessary to train patients in methods of a conflict-free consistent reaction, to train attention and volitional qualities. Prevention includes:

• normalization of family relations;
• timely and complete treatment of somatic diseases;
• elimination of bad role models;
• minimizing stress, relieving emotional stress.

Experts in the field of psychology recommend to always conduct a thorough examination for suspected lability. Healthy sleep and good nutrition, relaxing massage, and walking in the fresh air are very important. Any self-treatment is unacceptable, even if the diagnosis is precisely confirmed. On the part of others, sensitivity and attention are very important. At the same time, they should also discard false “humanism”, asking for help promptly.

What is emotional lability, see the next video.