At a Ego disorder a theatrical and egocentric behavior can always be observed. However, therapy can only take place if those affected show insight and really want to change something in their behavior. The patient must want help and must seek the therapist himself. Only then can long-term psychotherapy begin.
What is an ego disorder?
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A Ego disorder is a personality disorder that can affect your whole life. The behavior pattern influences people in their thinking, feeling and in relationships. The ego disorder also has a very negative effect on professional life and in everyday life the actions are different than with "normal" people.
Those affected show exaggerated emotionality and like to dramatize the experience. At least that's how other people feel. In contrast, the feelings shown appear superficial and superficial because these people do not allow real feelings at all. They cannot and do not want to have a sense of identity, they are easy to influence and constantly change their minds.
The constant search for attention can also be observed; those affected always want to be in the center of the action. When they notice that attention is being paid to other people or objects, they react very sensitively and try everything to get back to the center.
In addition, a very fast-paced relationship behavior is shown, so these people often change partners and are not capable of deep social contacts. Same-sex friendships are very difficult, usually only the respective partner is noticed at all and only because the sexual attraction is given.
causes
The causes of the ego disorder have not yet been adequately researched, but as with all mental illnesses, the course is set in childhood. If the children cannot develop their own personality, an ego disorder can appear. These children were given a false sense of love, so there was a lack of attention, stable family relationships or adequate support.
A genetic predisposition can also be the cause. Often the traumatic experiences lie in the earliest childhood or even in pregnancy. How and when a personality disorder develops has unfortunately not been researched. The disease always shows itself through a conspicuous behavior. There is a tendency towards dramatization and theatricality.
Striving for attention is also an indication of an ego disorder and those affected must always be the focus. Provocative behavior is also evident, especially when sex and seduction are the order of the day. Affected people show symptoms similar to those that occur with narcissism. A reliable diagnosis can only be made in a psychiatric or psychotherapeutic clinic.
First of all, of course, the ego disorder must be proven using various tests so that therapy can begin. Differential diagnoses must be clearly ruled out, but if five points of the following symptoms are true, one can speak of an ego disorder.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
An ego disorder manifests itself primarily through behavioral problems. Sufferers always want to be the center of attention and feel uncomfortable when the attention is on someone else. Interpersonal contacts only take place to a limited extent or not at all, with the focus often on sexual issues. To outsiders, the sick appear emotionally cold and superficial.
Often the behavior is also described as bizarre and strange. They are mostly described as people who appear very theatrical and often show self-pity. Those affected are also easy to influence and usually cannot properly assess social situations.
Relationships are described more closely than they really are and conversations with strangers are mistakenly interpreted as advances. The ego disorder develops in childhood and manifests itself in adult life. The system complex ranges from mild behavioral problems to paranoid thoughts and aggressive outbursts.
The mental illness is often associated with schizophrenia or narcissism. Accordingly, many other symptoms and complaints can occur depending on the underlying disease. In general, the symptoms increase over time, which often results in social exclusion of those affected.
Diagnosis & course of disease
The patient feels uncomfortable when he is not the focus He's trying to get attention. Interpersonal contacts are only possible if excessive sexual behavior is possible. The emotional state is very superficial. The person concerned describes all processes in a very theatrical way and tends towards self-drama.
The descriptions of the people contain only a few details of the respective situation. Affected people are easy to influence. You can no longer classify relationships correctly, relationships are described more closely than they actually are. The disorder is created in childhood and breaks out in adult life.
An ego disorder cannot be completely cured, but therapy allows patients to lead a normal life. But this can only happen if the disease is treated in good time and the severity of the disease is not too advanced. But the patient also has to agree to the therapy.
Complications
Ego disorders can occur in the context of various diseases and must always be seen in connection with them. A fundamental characteristic is that the boundaries between the self and the outside world are blurred. Since ego disorders encompass a whole spectrum of symptoms and can appear in the most varied of forms, it is sometimes difficult even for medically trained personnel to recognize them as such.
People who suffer from the inspiration of ideas, the spread of thoughts, deprivation of thoughts, external control and the influence of will and feeling (at least those affected assume this), can tend to bizarre behaviors. These represent de facto defensive reactions on the part of those affected in order to evade an alleged influence by someone else's will. It can also lead to aggressive outbreaks.
For outsiders, this can seem bizarre and alienating. They often have difficulty classifying ego disorders as such. In addition, those affected are usually so stuck in their own thoughts that they are difficult to access for external arguments. One consequence is that those affected may be treated incorrectly (e.g. disciplinary) or be completely excluded from the environment.
This also applies to the spectrum of disturbed emotional perceptions such as depersonalization or derealization. Such phenomena mean that people who suffer from them are difficult to get out of their condition. For this reason, treatment is difficult.
When should you go to the doctor?
Changes or abnormalities in behavior should be assessed by a doctor or therapist. If the appearance of the person concerned is above the norm in direct comparison with people in the immediate vicinity, there may be disorders that indicate a serious illness or mental disorder. If general social rules are disregarded, if there are repeated emotional injuries to others or if the person concerned is immensely reckless towards his environment, a visit to the doctor is recommended. If the abnormal behavior leads to professional or family problems over a long period of time, it is advisable to seek help from a doctor. In the case of an ego disorder, it is part of the clinical picture that the person concerned does not feel sick.
Often he denies existing problems and does not see his own behavior as the cause of dissonance in everyday life. It is therefore a challenge for relatives to advise the person concerned to see a doctor. Theatrical or self-centered behavior is considered unusual and should be discussed with a doctor. If contact with a doctor is vehemently refused by the person affected, it can be helpful if relatives seek advice on the symptoms and effects of the ego disorder. In dealing with the person concerned, a way can be worked out how a check-up visit to a doctor can be initiated carefully and considerately.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
It is a very strenuous treatment, for the person affected and also for the relatives. Even the psychotherapist is challenged. Treatment is only possible if the ego-disturbed person really perceives the illness and really wants to improve their situation. It is a basic requirement that the patient cooperates, otherwise therapy is not possible at all.
In many cases, behavior therapy is the most successful. Cause research can be carried out and sometimes this is also very helpful. But the person concerned should change his behavior and practice new behavior patterns. Treatment is often accompanied by psychiatric drugs, but these drugs are of little help if a patient is depressed.
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➔ Drugs for personality disordersOutlook & forecast
The prospect of a cure for the symptom of ego disturbance depends on the underlying disease. Since many patients do not have a disease in their own right, the ego disorder can be part of various clinical pictures. In the case of delirium, severe alcohol disease or dementia, the prognosis is rather unfavorable, as a progressive course of the disease can be expected. In these cases, large regions of the brain have mostly suffered irreparable damage which, according to current scientific knowledge, is not treatable and permanent.
If the patient suffers from some form of schizophrenic disorder, there are sometimes treatment options that can alleviate the ego disorder. With an optimal treatment and therapy plan, stable success is possible. However, this does not apply to all forms of schizophrenia.
If the patient receives a diagnosis in the field of personality disorders, there are, under certain conditions, the chances of recovery from the ego disorder. If the person concerned has an understanding of the illness and is ready to change himself and his personality, the symptoms can be significantly minimized. The therapy lasts for several years and is dependent on the cooperation of the patient. In many cases, past experiences have to be dealt with and attitudes towards them changed. In addition, a restructuring of the environment is often necessary for lasting success to occur.
prevention
An ego disorder can only be counteracted in early childhood. Parents can only raise their offspring to be strong personalities. Those affected themselves have no chance here and cannot prevent. Faulty personality developments can already be recognized in adolescence, and a youth psychotherapist can already provide valuable help.
In many cases, this can prevent or at least alleviate the ego disturbance. There is no prevention, because the ego disorders have not been researched enough for that. But if the child develops as carefree as possible, there will be no ego disturbance. You cannot avoid the ego disturbance, but the people around them should be sensitized.
These people can advise therapy 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 a traumatic experience that can only be resolved by the person concerned.
Aftercare
The ego disorder is one of the mental disorders that usually require lifelong follow-up care. Illnesses such as the ego disorder can recur at any time even after supposedly successful treatment. A new outbreak of the ego disorder is possible both shortly after the first therapy and years to decades afterwards.
In the follow-up care for this disease, the patients themselves are asked to observe themselves critically and to sensitively register mental imbalances. Those affected have to decide for themselves when to seek professional help again. However, it is advisable to contact the previous psychotherapist as a preventive measure if necessary.
This is useful, for example, in the event of major changes or stressful life situations. Strokes of fate can also affect the emotional stability of those affected and are a reason to turn to psychological counseling centers again. As with numerous other mental illnesses, self-help groups also make sense with an ego disorder.
These groups can also be visited for follow-up care after successful therapy, in order to experience support from other affected persons and to notice the sensitivity to critical changes in one's own emotional world. Often other patients recognize better than yourself that there is a need for renewed therapy. In principle, a stable living environment is beneficial for former patients with ego disorder and helps prevent new outbreaks.
You can do that yourself
Many of those affected have problems structuring and organizing their everyday lives. You try to resume your previous and accustomed lifestyle as soon as possible. However, it is blatantly important to accept that recovery can only come in small steps. Any form of excessive demands is contraindicated and in the worst case leads to frustration and setbacks.
To avoid being overwhelmed, it makes sense to plan carefully every day. A good way to do this is in writing. Approaching the planning realistically and not undertaking too much makes it easier to stick to the plan. The division according to task priority is also displayed using a list. Scheduling all tasks with the highest priority in one day creates pressure. A mix of important and less important tasks minimizes this. It is also inappropriate to fill the day with only duties. Sufficient space for free time is just as important.
The motivation is increased if the day's planning contains a special highlight that is very pleasant for the person concerned. This highlight can be both professional and private. Daily planning is made easier if each day starts at the same time. Drug and psychosocial treatment, if available, should not be forgotten in this daily schedule.
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