Fear of heights, sleep disorders, night terrors, panic attacks are some of the classic symptoms of mental disorders; however, there are many disorders of this type that you probably had no idea existed.
In the 21st century, the liberation from rigid thought patterns and advancements in psychology have led to significant progress in understanding behavioral disorders . What causes them? Many believe that prolonged exposure to intense stimuli and profound trauma can trigger these disorders. Below, we present some common mental disorders of our time, some of which you may have never heard of.
What is a mental disorder?
A mental disorder can be defined as a disruption at the level of mental structures, which modifies the individual's behavior within limits that fall outside those defined within the "normality" of their social group. Therefore, individuals with disorders of this time have difficulty establishing relationships in accordance with the environment. In addition, they may present sudden alterations in their mood, alteration of sleep patterns, attention deficit, and responses not in accordance with the stimuli to which they are subjected.
Mental disorders you didn't know about
Below we will explain mental disorders that you probably have not heard of:
Syndromes in Literature: Many classic authors characterized their characters with conditions that are still recognized today. Among the syndromes found in stories are:
Quasimodo Syndrome: Named after the character in Victor Hugo's novel " Notre-Dame de Paris ," in which Quasimodo is a deformed hunchback whom his protector, Claude Frollo , confines to a bell tower to hide his ugliness. People with this condition experience low self-esteem, as they tend to perceive deformities in various parts of their bodies , many of which are not real and are products of their imagination. They feel an unhealthy need to look in the mirror, constantly searching for an angle that hides their perceived flaws; another characteristic is their intense focus on their personal appearance.
Wendy Syndrome: This affects women, who exhibit an unhealthy desire to fulfill the needs of their partners and children. It is associated with Peter Pan syndrome (individuals who refuse to grow up). People who develop this condition lack control over their own lives and therefore tend to exert excessive control over those they love in order to make themselves absolutely essential, ensuring they will never abandon them.
Wonderland syndrome (micropsia): This disorder has underlying physical causes such as mononucleosis and chronic migraines. It was named after Lewis Carroll, the author of the famous children's story " Alice in Wonderland ," who refers to this strange condition repeatedly, leading many to believe that Carroll himself suffered from it.
People with this syndrome tend to distort the size of objects, feeling small (or large) in relation to them, as it affects the optic nerves, which can lead to paranoia about movement. It is also known as Lilliputian syndrome, because Jonathan Swift referred to a tiny society (the Lilliputians) in his work " Gulliver's Travels ."
Syndromes in the realm of love: Undoubtedly, we have all been victims of Cupid's spell at some point; however, when a person develops their love to the point of obsession, the results can be catastrophic:
Clerambault's Syndrome: This syndrome has developed primarily in women, who believe they are loved by someone (usually of a higher social class), even though that person has given them no reason to believe this. The affected individual believes that the other person, the object of their affection, is indifferent because they wish to keep their love a secret. The danger lies in the fact that the person may experience severe paranoid episodes, leading to violent acts that could even endanger the life of their "platonic love" or those around them.
Kluver-Bucy syndrome: This occurs in individuals with altered activity in the midbrain lobes, directly affecting the amygdalae. As a side effect, the individual experiences inappropriate displays of sexuality and infatuation due to the exaggerated nature of their behavior.
Bergerac Syndrome: Individuals with this syndrome lack confidence in their ability to project their ideas effectively, and therefore rely on others to amplify them. In matters of love, these individuals are often hesitant to forge their own path, seeking fulfillment by observing the happiness of others.
Personality disorders: Often, prolonged exposure to situations of anguish, stress, or fear can lead to attitudes that deviate from the norm, the objective of which is to provide a defense mechanism against these stimuli.
Multiple personality disorder: This is a rare condition in which two or more distinct personalities coexist within a single person, each possessing a degree of autonomy. It is believed that this dissociation of personality stems from severe trauma, leading the individual to develop multiple personas as a defense mechanism , adapted to the circumstances they face. Many mistake it for hallucinations; however, the curious fact is that each personality exhibits its own characteristics: manner of speaking, age, gender, language/accent. This disorder was observed in the case of rapist Billy Sullivan, in whom 24 different personalities were identified, all of which emerged in response to an abusive childhood.
Dysthymia: Sometimes called depressive personality disorder, it is characterized by a persistent state of sadness. Although the intensity of the feeling is less than in major depressive disorder, it is more frequent. Symptoms may include:
- Alteration of eating patterns (excessive intake or lack of appetite).
- Low self-esteem.
- Difficulty to sleep.
- Tiredness and fatigue that do not respond to physical efforts.
Dependent personality disorder: They show an inability to make their own decisions on important matters, which is why they develop a dependency on others. They are unable to develop or undertake their own projects because they exhibit a morbid insecurity.
They show an exacerbated fear of being abandoned, and may develop physical symptoms in stressful situations.
Narcissistic personality disorder: Megalomania is characterized by an excessive focus on oneself. A narcissist shows little empathy for others and needs to be the center of attention. Despite displaying "extremely high" self-esteem, psychologists believe it is quite the opposite: a case of low self-esteem.
Narcissists have high expectations regarding their performance, which they believe must be brilliant and successful.
Histrionic disorder: These are people who tend to perceive their experiences from a dramatic perspective, so they are dissatisfied when they are not the center of attention, for this reason they tend to assume the role of victims, seeking to be the object of the compassion of others.
Paranoid personality disorder: Individuals with this mental disorder experience excessive distrust of their surroundings, leading them to perceive themselves as being in imminent danger. They see enemies everywhere, resulting in a tendency towards isolation. They may experience sleep problems due to their constant state of alertness.