Pathological affect is a special state characterized by temporary obscuration and / or twilight of consciousness, in which a person is not able to realize himself and control his actions to the fullest.
Pathological and physiological affects
In psychology, the term pathological affect is usually used to denote a short-term acute reactive disorder of mental activity, expressed in the emergence of a strong inadequate or unmotivated emotional reaction under the action of one or another stimulus.
It is necessary to distinguish between pathological and physiological affects. The latter also occur instantaneously, proceed swiftly and manifest themselves in a sharp change in the mental and practical activity of man, but with the preservation of sanity, awareness and memory. This is a normal reaction to the stimulus (it can be negative and positive).
The emotional reaction on the basis of which the physiological affect can develop is ten times weaker than in cases when the pathological affect develops.
Characteristic features
In pathological affects, mood and consciousness disorders are observed, combined with automatic, sometimes impulsive-compulsive (intrusive), aimless or dangerous actions (aggressive actions in relation to
The longer state of such a reactive mental disorder can be expressed in manic manifestations (persistent and inadequate enhancement of the emotional background) and / or depressive manifestations (depression, apathy), as well as increased emotional lability (mobility) during transition from one state to another. In this case it is necessary to speak about a simtomocomplex of manic-depressive psychosis.
Of course, such cases require the participation of specialists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and sometimes even psychiatrists.