Ego disorder always involves theatrical and egocentric behavior. However, therapy can only take place if the affected person shows insight and really wants to change something about their behavior. The patient must want the help and must seek the therapist himself. Only then can a long-term psychotherapy begin.
What is an ego disorder?
An ego disorder is a personality disorder that can affect one’s entire life. The pattern of behavior affects people in how they think, feel, and relate. Ego disorder also has a very negative impact on professional life and in everyday life, the actions are just different from “normal” people. Those affected show exaggerated emotionality and like to dramatize their experiences. At least that is how other people perceive them. In contrast, the feelings shown seem superficial and put on, because these people do not allow real feelings at all. They can’t and don’t want to have a sense of identity at all, they are easily influenced and constantly change their minds. The constant search for attention can also be observed, affected people always want to be the center of attention. When they notice that attention is given to other people or objects, they react very sensitively and try everything to be the center of attention again. In addition, they display very fast-moving relationship behavior, so these people change partners often and are not capable of deep social contact at all. Same-sex friendships are very difficult, usually only the respective partner is noticed at all and also only because the sexual attraction is given.
Causes
The causes of ego disorder is not yet sufficiently researched, but as with all mental illnesses, the course is set in childhood. If children are unable to develop a personality of their own, ego disorder may manifest. These children were given a false sense of love, thus lacking attention, stable family relationships or sufficient support. A genetic predisposition can also be the cause. Often the traumatic experiences are in the earliest childhood or even during pregnancy. How and when a personality disorder develops, however, has unfortunately not been researched. The illness always shows itself by conspicuous behavior. There is a tendency to dramatization and theatricality. Striving for attention is also an indication of an ego disorder and affected persons always have to be the center of attention. Provocative behavior is also noted, especially when sex and seduction are the order of the day. Affected persons show symptoms similar to those of narcissism. A reliable diagnosis can only be made in a psychiatric or psychotherapeutic clinic. First, of course, the ego disorder must be proven by means of various tests so that therapy can begin. Differential diagnoses must be clearly excluded, but if five points of the following symptoms apply, one can speak of an ego disorder.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
An ego disorder manifests itself primarily through behavioral problems. The affected person always wants to be the center of attention and feels uncomfortable when the attention is on another person. Interpersonal contacts take place only to a limited extent or not at all, with the focus often being on sexual issues. To outsiders, the sufferers appear emotionally cold and superficial. Often the behavior is also described as bizarre and alienating. They are usually described as people who act very theatrically and often show self-pity. The affected persons are also easily influenced and usually cannot assess social situations correctly. Thus, relationships are described as closer than they really are and conversations with strangers are misinterpreted as advances. Ego disorder develops in childhood and manifests in adult life. The systems complex ranges from mild behavioral problems to paranoid thoughts and aggressive outbursts. The mental disorder often occurs in conjunction with schizophrenia or narcissism. Accordingly, depending on the underlying disease, many other symptoms and complaints can occur. In general, the signs of the disease intensify over time, which often results in the social exclusion of those affected.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
The patient feels uncomfortable when he is not the center of attention
He tries to attract attention. Interpersonal contact is possible only when exaggerated sexual behavior is possible. The emotional state seems very superficial. The affected person describes all events very theatrically and tends to self-dramatization. People’s descriptions contain only few details of the respective situation. Affected persons are easily influenced. They can no longer classify relationships correctly, relationships are described more closely than they actually are. The disorder is already created in childhood and breaks out in adult life. Ego disorder cannot be completely cured, but through therapy patients can lead a normal life. However, this can only happen if the disorder is treated in time and the severity of the disorder is not yet too advanced. But the patient must also agree with the therapy.
Complications
Ego disorders can occur in the context of various diseases and must always be seen in conjunction with them. The basic characteristic is that the boundaries between the ego and the external world become blurred. Because ego disorders encompass a whole spectrum of symptoms and can occur in a wide variety of forms, it is sometimes difficult even for medically trained personnel to recognize them as such. People who suffer from thought initiation, thought propagation, thought withdrawal, external control and influence on will and emotions (at least that is what the affected persons assume) can tend to bizarre behaviors. These are de facto defensive reactions of the affected persons in order to avoid a supposed influence by a foreign will. This can also lead to aggressive outbursts. For outsiders, this can seem bizarre and alienating. They often have difficulty classifying ego disorders as such. In addition, those affected are usually so entrenched in their own world of thought that they are difficult to access for arguments from the outside. One consequence is that those affected may be treated incorrectly (for example, disciplined) or ostracized altogether by the environment. This also affects the spectrum of disturbed emotional perceptions such as depersonalization or derealization. Such phenomena entail that people suffering from them can only be brought out of their condition with difficulty. For this reason, treatment proves difficult.
When should one go to the doctor?
Changes or abnormalities in behavior should be assessed by a physician or therapist. If the person’s demeanor is off the norm when compared directly to people in the immediate environment, there may be disturbances that indicate a serious illness or mental disorder. If general social rules are disregarded, if there are repeated emotional injuries to fellow human beings or if the affected person is immensely inconsiderate towards his environment, a visit to the doctor is recommended. If the conspicuous behavior leads to professional or family problems over a long period of time, it is advisable to ask a doctor for help. In the case of an ego disorder, it is part of the clinical picture that the person affected has no feeling of illness. He often denies existing problems and does not see his own behavior as the cause of dissonance in everyday life. Therefore, it is a challenge for relatives to suggest that the affected person visit a doctor. Theatrical or egocentric behavior is considered unusual and should be discussed with a physician. If contact with a doctor is vehemently refused by the affected person, it can be helpful for relatives to seek advice about the symptoms and effects of ego disorder. In dealing with the affected person, this can be used to work out a way to carefully and considerately initiate a follow-up visit with a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
It is a very exhausting treatment, for the affected person himself and also for the relatives. Even the psychotherapist is challenged. Treatment is only possible if the ego-disturbed person really perceives the disorder and really wants an improvement of his situation. It is a basic requirement that the patient cooperates, otherwise a therapy is not possible at all. In many cases, behavioral therapy has the greatest success. It is possible to research the causes and sometimes this is also very helpful.But the affected person should change his behavior and practice new patterns of behavior. Treatment is often accompanied by psychotropic drugs, but if a patient suffers from depression, these drugs are of little help.
Outlook and prognosis
The prospect of recovery from the symptom ego disorder depends on the underlying disease present. Because in many patients it is not a disease in its own right, ego disorder may be part of a variety of medical conditions. In the case of delirium, severe alcoholism or dementia, the prognosis is rather unfavorable, since a progressive course of the disease is to be expected. In these cases, large regions of the brain have usually suffered irreparable damage that, according to current scientific knowledge, cannot be treated and is permanent. If the patient suffers from a form of schizophrenic disorder, there are sometimes treatment options that can lead to relief of the ego disorder. With an optimal treatment and therapy plan, stable success is possible. However, this is not true for all forms of schizophrenia. If the patient receives a diagnosis from the field of personality disorders, there are certainly chances of healing the ego disorder under certain conditions. If the patient has an understanding of the illness and is willing to change himself and his personality, a significant minimization of the symptoms can be achieved. The therapy lasts several years and depends on the patient’s cooperation. In many cases, past experiences must be worked through and views on them must be changed. In addition, environmental restructuring is often necessary for lasting success to occur.
Prevention
An ego disorder can only be counteracted in early childhood. Parents can only educate their offspring to become strong personalities. Affected persons themselves have no chance here and cannot prevent. However, faulty personality developments can already be recognized in adolescence, and a youth psychotherapist can already provide valuable help. In many cases, the ego disorder can be prevented or at least alleviated. There is no prevention, because too little research has been done on ego disorders. But if the child’s development is as carefree as possible, an ego disorder will not occur. It is not possible to avoid ego disorders, but the environment of these persons should be sensitized. These persons can advise a therapy already at the first symptoms, so that the ego disorder cannot manifest itself and a chronic course of this disease is prevented. There are no other preventive measures; there is always an underlying traumatic experience that only the affected person can resolve.
Aftercare
Ego disorder is one of the mental disorders that usually requires a lifetime of aftercare. Disorders such as ego disorder can recur at any time, even after supposedly successful treatment. A new onset of ego disorder is possible both shortly after initial therapy and years to decades afterward. In the aftercare of this disease, it is above all the patients themselves who are called upon to observe themselves critically and to register mental imbalances sensitively. Those affected must decide for themselves when to seek professional help again. However, it is advisable to contact the former psychotherapist as a preventive measure if necessary. This makes sense, for example, in the event of major changes or stressful life situations. Strokes of fate can also attack the mental stability of those affected and represent a reason to turn again to psychological counseling centers. As with many other mental illnesses, self-help groups also make sense for ego disorders. These groups can also be attended after successful therapy for follow-up care, to experience support from other sufferers and to notice sensitivity to critical changes in one’s own emotional world. Often other patients recognize better than oneself that there is a need for renewed therapy. In general, a stable living environment is beneficial for former patients with ego disorder and helps prevent new outbursts.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Many affected people have problems structuring and organizing their daily lives. They try to resume their former and accustomed lifestyle as quickly as possible. However, it is blatantly important to accept that recovery can only take place in small steps.Any form of excessive demand is contraindicated and, in the worst case, leads to frustration and setbacks. To avoid being overwhelmed, it makes sense to plan each day in detail. A good way to do this planning is in writing. Approaching the planning realistically and not taking on too much makes it easier to stick to the plan. It is also advisable to classify tasks according to their priority by means of a list. Scheduling all the highest priority tasks in one day creates pressure. A mix of important and less important tasks minimizes this. It is also inappropriate to fill the day only with duties. Enough free time for leisure is equally important. Motivation is increased if the day’s planning contains a special highlight that is very pleasant for the person concerned. This highlight can be of a professional or private nature. Daily planning is facilitated if each day is started at the same time. Medication as well as psychosocial treatment, if available, should not be forgotten in this daily plan.
