Disturbance of consciousness and its types

Consciousness is not only the ability to control actions and assess their own and other people's actions, but also many other components, for example, self-awareness, the ability to control their movements, etc. Everyone has it, but few people think about its importance. Violation of consciousness is a very complex and problematic state. He is subject to absolutely everything, but there are some special cases when the risk of such a violation is great.

A special place should be given to old age, when the brain gradually lose the ability to function normally. This state is called senile marasmus. But this state also has its own reasons. The main causes that cause a violation of consciousness:

• Diffuse 2-sided lesion of the brain (bark). Usually, it is caused by a violation of blood circulation in the cortex or in the terminal stage of degenerative diseases. This state is called vegetative.
• Various lesions of the brain stem. Possible primary (diseases and disorders occurring directly in the brain) and secondary (violations of the integrity of blood vessels or brain stem nutrition). Sometimes this condition can become irreversible.
• Violation of consciousness, which occurs when the above reasons. In this case, both the cortex and the brain stem are not able to function normally.

Due to these and some other factors, different conditions may arise that accompany a disturbance of consciousness. The treatment of these problems is quite long and problematic, because In many cases, irreversible processes occur. Depending on the problems, these types of impairment of consciousness are distinguished:

Ü Dullness of consciousness. Usually, it is due to the organic nature of brain damage. There are various options:

• Illusory hallucinatory delirium. It is expressed in the reduction of reactions to stimuli and in the lowering of the sensitivity threshold.
• Abortive. Characterized by illusions while maintaining a general orientation.
• Mussive. It manifests itself as muttering and sorting out their own clothes.
• Professional. In this case, the patient presents himself at work and performs actions brought to automatism. Accompanied by a violation of orientation.

Ü The ONYROID. In the patient's mind, his own reality is created, which he takes as reality, however, he only observes what is happening. Orientation in space and time is broken.

Ü Amenţia. This condition occurs against the background of schizophrenia and intoxication. Manifestations of it consist in chaotic actions and excitability of these movements, incoherent speech and disorientation in space.

Ü Turning off consciousness.

• Stunned. The main problem is the slowing down of all mental reactions and, as a consequence, a small reaction to pathogens and irritants.
• Sopor. A sufficient amount of information is not transmitted from the auditory and visual receptors. Tactile sensations and reaction to pain persists. At the same time, a person is either completely immobilized or is capable of stereotypical movements.
• Coma. The most complex and deep state, which is characterized by a complete lack of reactions with the preservation of only interoception (the natural needs of the organism). After awakening from this condition, complete amnesia is possible. If a person does not leave this state, then after a while death begins.

Paroxysmal disorders of consciousness. It differs from the others in the absence of stages in pathologies.

• Twilight obscuration. Usually, this condition is the privilege of alcoholics or patients with epilepsy. Characterized by sharp jumps of increased excitability and rage with possible hallucinations. People in these states are uncontrollable. After a fit, there is amnesia.
• Automatism outpatient. Feature - is the desire to move somewhere in urgent cases, chaotic movements are possible or more ordered (for example, trance).

Ü Specific types of impaired consciousness. They manifest themselves in the form of actions before an epileptic fit or loss of consciousness. The duration of such states does not exceed a few seconds.

Ü Turn off consciousness at small or large convulsive seizures. Large convulsive seizures or BSP differ instantaneously with the possible onset of coma. Then comes amnesia. Small convulsive seizures (SMEs) also occur instantaneously, but are marked by a sharp decline in muscle tone (sometimes accompanied by involuntary urination), cramps of the body or its parts and face are possible. Also, the onset of epilepsy or schizophrenia can not be ruled out in case of a traumatic brain injury. It is in such a state that a breach of self-awareness occurs rarely.

In addition, there is a special kind of disturbed psychological state. It is called depersonalization (a violation of self-awareness). These are quite serious cases when a person is not able to adequately assess himself and identify with the surrounding world and people. There are also possible states of detachment and reduced reaction and experiences in general, or the violation of certain processes occurring in the body (for example, denial of satiety). It is not rare that cases of a split personality are recorded .

In conclusion, I want to say that all the conditions are serious and unpleasant. But we are all "Coming from childhood", as Antoine de Saint-Exupery said. Therefore, take care of your children and yourself for them!