Deprivation- is a temporary or permanent, complete or partial, artificial or life-related isolation of a person from the interaction of his internal psyche with the external psyche. Deprivation is both a process and a result of such isolation. Most often allocate the following types deprivation:
- stimulus deprivation (sensory): the number of sensory stimuli is reduced or their variability is limited;
- cognitive deprivation: too variable chaotic structure outside world without clear ordering and content, which does not allow one to understand, anticipate and regulate information that comes from outside
- deprivation of emotional attitude (emotional): insufficient opportunity to establish intimate emotional relationships with someone or the breakdown of an emotional connection, if one has already been created;
- identity deprivation (social): limited opportunity to acquire an independent social role.
- sensory;
- emotional;
- psychomotor;
- spiritual;
- social;
- cognitive;
- psychocultural.
- short-term (a diver’s work for several hours at the bottom of the sea, rest on desert island, illness, etc.);
- protracted (for example, the stay of astronauts in low-Earth orbit)
- long-term (lack of physical activity over the years, renunciation social life through self-isolation in a monastery, membership in religious organizations (sects), etc.).
It's not just children who need emotional stimulation. She happens to be a necessary condition full mental functioning of each person throughout life.
E. Bern writes that a person always needs “strokes.” But if in relation to a child, stroking, as a rule, is physical touching, patting, etc., then in an adult they are often replaced by symbolic, socially acceptable forms: a handshake, a polite bow, a smile, various rituals.
The need for emotional acceptance manifests itself as the need for recognition. Thus, an artist needs constant admiration and praise from fans, a scientist needs recognition of his merits, a woman needs a compliment, military men need victories, etc.
People, of course, vary greatly in their desire to be noticed. Thus, an actor may require hundreds of “strokes” every week from anonymous and indifferent fans, while a scientist may only need one “strokes” a year from a respected and authoritative colleague.
E. Bern believes that in in a broad sense"stroking" can refer to any act of acknowledging the presence of another person. And the exchange of “strokes” constitutes the basic unit of social interaction - transaction.
He also concludes that any social interaction is preferable to none. Experiments on rats have shown that even “negative stroking” (electric shock) has more positive consequences for the physical, mental, and emotional state than no effects at all.
Sometimes a person tries to compensate for the lack of emotional communication with people by communicating with pets.
The presence and quality of emotional stimuli is a condition for full-fledged mental development in childhood, as well as a factor in mental well-being both in childhood and adulthood. In an adult, the consequences of emotional deprivation can manifest themselves in the form of depression, apathy, various phobias, etc., while the true cause of such disorders may remain hidden.
Chapter 5. Social deprivation
1. Forms of social deprivation
Social deprivation, understood as restriction or complete absence contacts of a person (or any group) with society, appears in a variety of forms, which can vary significantly both in the degree of severity and in who is the initiator of isolation - the person (group) himself or society.
Depending on this, the following varieties are distinguished social deprivation:
1) forced isolation, when a person or a group as a whole finds themselves cut off from society due to circumstances beyond their will, as well as the will of society (for example, the crew of a ship stranded on a desert island after a crash);
2) forced isolation, when society isolates people regardless of their desire, and often in spite of it. Examples of such isolation include, in particular:
convicts in various correctional labor institutions;
closed groups, being in which does not imply infringement of rights and does not imply a person’s low social status - soldiers conscript service in conditions of universal compulsory military service, pupils of children's homes, orphanages, boarding schools;
3) voluntary isolation, when people distance themselves from society of their own free will (an example is monks, hermits, sectarians living in remote, hard-to-reach places);
4) voluntary-forced (or voluntary-forced) isolation, when the achievement of any goal that is significant for a person (group) presupposes the need to significantly limit one’s contacts with the usual environment (various professional closed groups, as well as professionally specialized groups, can serve as an example boarding educational institutions - sports boarding schools, boarding schools for especially gifted children and adolescents, Nakhimov and Suvorov schools and so on.) .
This classification generally covers a fairly wide range of types of social deprivation. At the same time, when studying it, it is necessary to take into account that an important factor determining the consequences of deprivation is age a person who finds himself in isolation. In this plan special attention deserves study of the nature and consequences early social deprivation, as well as deprivation in closed educational institutions.
In psychology there is such a thing as deprivation. It means a mental reaction to an unsatisfied need. For example, a girl was abandoned by her boyfriend and she is overcome by emotional deprivation, because she begins to experience a deficit of emotions, miss what was before, but no longer receive it. Many such situations can be cited depending on the types of deprivation. But the most important thing is to know how to prevent such a condition or reduce its manifestations to a minimum.
Definition
The word came to us from Latin language. Deprivation is translated as “loss”, “deprivation”. This is what happens: a person loses the opportunity to satisfy his psycho physiological needs and experiences negative emotions. It could be resentment, anxiety, fear and much more. And, in order not to get confused in definitions, it was decided to reduce this state of loss into a single whole. This is how the concept of deprivation arose, which covers all possible emotions. The essence of deprivation is the lack of contact between desired responses and the stimuli that reinforce them.
Deprivation can plunge a person into a state of severe internal emptiness, from which it is difficult to find a way out. The taste for life disappears, and the person begins to simply exist. He does not enjoy food, his favorite activities, or socializing with friends. Deprivation increases the level of anxiety; a person becomes afraid to try new behavior patterns, trying to maintain a stable state in which he is comfortable. He falls into a trap of his own mind, from which sometimes only a psychologist can help. Even the most strong personality sometimes it “breaks” under the influence of a particular situation.
Many people confuse deprivation with frustration. After all, these states definitely have something in common. But it's all the same different concepts. Frustration refers to the failure to achieve satisfaction of a certain need. That is, a person understands where negative emotions come from. And the phenomenon of deprivation is that it may not be realized, and sometimes people live for years and do not understand what is eating them. And this is the worst thing, because the psychologist does not understand what to treat.
Kinds
Delving deeper into the topic, let's consider different types deprivation in theory, and also give examples for complete understanding. Classification involves dividing according to the type of need that was not satisfied and caused deprivation.
Sensory (stimulus)
From the Latin sensus - feeling. But what is sensory deprivation? This is a state that includes all stimuli associated with sensations. Visual, auditory and, of course, tactile. A banal lack of physical contact (handshakes, hugs, sexual intimacy) can provoke a severe condition. It can be dual. Some begin to compensate for the sensory deficit, while others become aggressive and convince themselves that “they didn’t really want it.” A simple example: a girl who was not loved in childhood (her mother did not press her to her chest, her father did not roll her on his shoulders) will either look for tenderness on the side in promiscuous sexual intercourse, or will withdraw into herself and become an old maid. From one extreme to another? Exactly. Therefore, sensory deprivation is very dangerous.
A special case of this type is visual deprivation. It happens rarely, but, as they say, “aptly.” A person who has suddenly and abruptly lost his sight can become a hostage to visual deprivation. It is clear that he gets used to doing without him, but psychologically it is very difficult. Moreover, the older a person is, the more difficult it is for him. He begins to remember the faces of his loved ones, the nature around him and realize that he can no longer enjoy these images. This can lead to prolonged depression or even drive you crazy. The same thing can provoke motor deprivation when a person loses the ability to move due to illness or an accident.
Cognitive (informational)
Cognitive deprivation may seem strange to some, but it is one of the most common forms. This type of deprivation consists of deprivation of the opportunity to receive reliable information about anything. This forces a person to think out, invent and fantasize, viewing the situation through the prism of his own vision, giving it non-existent meanings. Example: a sailor who went to long voyage. He has no way to contact his relatives, and at some point he begins to panic. What if your wife cheated? Or did something happen to your parents? At the same time, it is important how those around him behave: whether they will calm him down or, conversely, egg him on.
In the TV show " Last Hero”, which used to be aired, people were also in cognitive deprivation. The editors of the program had the opportunity to inform them about what was happening on mainland, but they did not deliberately do this. Because it was interesting for the viewer to watch the characters being in an unusual situation for a long time. And there was something to watch: people began to worry, their anxiety increased, and panic began. And in this state it was still necessary to fight for the main prize.
Emotional
We have already talked about this. This is a lack of opportunities to receive certain emotions or a turning point in a situation in which a person was emotionally satisfied. A striking example: maternal deprivation. This is when a child is deprived of all the delights of communication with his mother ( we're talking about not about a biological mother, but about a woman who is capable of giving a baby love and affection, maternal care). And the problem is that nothing can replace this. That is, if a boy was raised in an orphanage, he will remain in a state of maternal deprivation for the rest of his life. And even if in the future he will be surrounded by the love of his wife, children and grandchildren, it will not be the same. Echoes of childhood trauma will be present.
Hidden maternal deprivation can occur in a child, even if he is raised in a family. But if the mother constantly works and does not devote time to the baby, then he will also need care and attention. This also happens in families where, after one child, twins or triplets are suddenly born. All the time is spent on the younger children, so the eldest is plunged into forced maternal deprivation.
Another common case is family deprivation. It includes deprivation of communication not only with the mother, but also with the father. Those. lack of family institution in childhood. And again, having matured, a person will create a family, but he will play a different role in it: no longer a child, but a parent. By the way, paternal deprivation (deprivation of the opportunity to be raised with a father) is gradually becoming normal due to free relationship to sexual intercourse. A modern man can have several children from different women, and, of course, some of them will suffer from a lack of fatherly attention.
Social
Limitation of the ability to play social role, to be in society and to be recognized by it. Psychosocial deprivation is inherent in older people who, due to health problems, prefer not to leave home and while away their evenings alone in front of the TV. This is why various circles for pensioners are so valuable, where grandparents at least just communicate.
By the way, social deprivation can also be used as punishment. IN mild form, this is when a mother does not allow a guilty child to go out with friends, locking him in a room. In severe cases, these are prisoners who spend years, or even life, in prison.
Features in children
In psychology, deprivation in children is often considered. Why? Firstly, because they have more needs. Secondly, because an adult who is deprived of something can somehow try to compensate for this deficiency. But a child cannot. Thirdly, children do not just experience deprivation hard: it often affects their development.
A child needs the same needs as an adult. The simplest thing is communication. It plays key role in the formation of conscious behavior, helps to acquire many useful skills, develop emotional perception, increase intellectual level. Moreover, communication with peers is very important for a child. In this regard, children of rich parents often suffer, who, instead of taking the child to kindergarten, hire him a bunch of governesses and teachers at home. Yes, the child will grow up well-mannered, well-read and polite, but social deprivation will not allow him to find his place in society.
Deprivation can also be seen in pedagogy. Its difference is that this need is not felt in childhood. On the contrary: sometimes a child does not want to study, it is a burden for him. But if you miss this opportunity, then severe pedagogical deprivation will begin in the future. And it will be expressed in the lack of not only knowledge, but also many other skills: patience, perseverance, desire, etc.
Manifestations
External methods of manifestation are the same as in adults. And parents or educators must correctly recognize the child’s emotions in order to understand whether it is a whim or one of the signs of deprivation. The two most recognizable reactions are anger and withdrawal.
Anger and aggression
The cause of anger may be dissatisfaction with physiological or psychological needs. They didn’t buy candy, didn’t give him a toy, didn’t take him to the playground - it would seem like nonsense, but the child gets angry. If this state is repeated, it can turn into deprivation, and then anger will manifest itself not only in screaming and throwing things, but also in more complex states. Some babies tear out their hair, and some may even experience urinary incontinence as a result of aggression.
Closedness
The opposite of anger. The child compensates for deprivation by trying to convince himself that he does not need this toy or candy. The baby calms down and withdraws into himself, finding activities that do not require an outburst of emotions. He can silently assemble a construction set or even just mindlessly move his finger along the carpet.
Any unsatisfied mental deprivation in childhood can have Negative influence for the future and develop into serious psychological trauma. Practice shows that most murderers, maniacs and pedophiles had problems either with their parents or with society. And all this was the consequences of emotional deprivation in childhood, because this is what is most difficult to compensate for in adulthood.
The psychological problems of deprived children have been considered by many psychologists. Diagnostics and analysis made it possible to understand what exactly is gnawing at children of this or that age. Many works are studied by contemporaries, who build their own methods to help parents and their children. Interesting are the deprivation descriptions of J.A. Komensky, J. Itard, A. Gesell, J. Bowlby.
Sleep deprivation
Another common deprivation that affects many modern people. If we talk in simple language– this is a banal lack of sleep. It is noteworthy that some people deliberately do this, spending their nights not in bed, but in nightclubs or near the computer. Others are forced to lose sleep due to work (workaholics), children (young mothers), and anxiety. The latter may be caused for various reasons.And if a person does not sleep because increased anxiety, he finds himself in a vicious circle. At first he is anxious and therefore does not sleep. And then sleep deprivation leads to anxiety.
Sleep deprivation in depression refers to a forced state. Because a person may want to sleep, but cannot. That is, he is in bed, then sleep does not occur due to depressive thoughts that arise. To overcome both conditions - sleep deprivation and depression - just get some sleep.
Help
Not every deprivation syndrome requires the intervention of psychologists. Often a person can cope with this condition on their own or with the help of family and friends. There are plenty of examples. To get out of social deprivation, it is enough to sign up for dancing or another hobby group. The problem of lack of intellectual resources is solved by connecting to unlimited Internet. The deficit of tactile contacts disappears after establishment love relationship. But, of course, more severe cases require a serious approach, and without global assistance (sometimes state level) is no longer possible.
Rehabilitation centers help cope with the consequences of childhood social deprivation, where the child receives not only attention and care, but also communication with peers. Of course, this only partially covers the problem, but it is important to make a start. The same applies to organizing free concerts or tea parties for retirees who also need communication.
Psychology also fights deprivation in other ways. For example, compensation and self-realization in other activities. Thus, people with disabilities often begin to engage in some kind of sport and participate in Paralympic competitions. Some people who have lost their arms discover a talent for drawing with their feet. But this concerns sensory deprivation. Severe emotional deprivation is difficult to compensate for. The help of a psychotherapist is needed.
The term "deprivation" is used to denote the mental reaction to unmet needs. For example, we can cite a situation where a girl breaks up with her boyfriend, which leads to emotional deprivation. This condition manifests itself in the form of a deficit of emotions, as well as an acute lack of the sensations that the woman received from the relationship. Depending on the situation, the types of this condition vary. Let's look at what deprivation is and how to avoid its development.
Deprivation reduction or complete deprivation of the opportunity to satisfy basic needs - psychophysiological or social
The term deprivation means deprivation or loss, this is how it is translated Latin word deprivation. In psychology, this term is used to denote a state in which a person cannot fully satisfy own needs, which leads to the emergence of negative emotions. Negative emotions during deprivation they manifest themselves in the form of feelings of resentment, anxiety or fear. According to experts, the concept of deprivation combines various emotions that a person experiences when faced with various difficulties in life.
A distinctive feature of this state is an acute lack of relationship between desires and incentives to achieve the goal.
The emergence of deprivation leads to personal changes, which are expressed in the form of feelings inner emptiness. Being in this state, a person ceases to feel the desire for self-improvement and loses the meaning of life. Communication with friends, favorite activities and even gastronomic interests lose their relevance for a particular individual. The emergence of various fears becomes the main reason that a person does not strive to change his life for the better. It is almost impossible to get out of such a state on your own.
Various forms of deprivation
Deprivation in psychology is a term used to characterize a mental state provoked by the inability to provide for personal life needs. In addition, this condition can be caused by the loss of certain incentives to achieve various goals. In medicine, this condition is divided into several groups, which are based on unmet needs that acted as the causes of the disorder.
Deprivation can cause aggression Sensory deprivation
This type of mental state is caused by a lack of stimuli that have a close relationship with different sensations. In turn, incentives are divided into:
- tactile;
- visual;
- auditory.
The condition in question may be caused by a lack of hugs, feeling physical intimacy and other incentives. This phenomenon is characterized by duality. Some patients try to compensate for the lack of sensory stimuli by devoting their attention to other areas. Other patients are experiencing outbreaks aggressive behavior caused by lack of attention. For example, we can cite a situation where a girl felt an acute lack of parental love in childhood. IN mature age such echoes from the past can lead to an attempt to gain the necessary feelings through a random change of sexual partners. However, there are examples when the lack of parental love is taken for granted, which leads to the girl trying to avoid any manifestations of feelings for the opposite sex.
The state of sensory deprivation poses a huge danger to human psyche. According to experts, the visual form of the disorder has the greatest danger to life. A similar illness occurs against the background of a sharp and irretrievable loss vision. Such a loss is difficult for a person to endure psychologically. It should be noted here that the higher the patient’s age, the more dangerous consequences. Constant memories of various visual images may cause the development depressive syndrome and more severe mental disorders.
Motor deprivation
Motor deprivation is quite common and is observed in people who have received various injuries. Restriction in movement can negatively affect a person’s mental state. Such restrictions are perceived most acutely in childhood. Under the pressure of the situation, the patient experiences an increase in anxiety levels and develops a state close to depression. Limitation of one's own mobility can cause outbursts of aggression and rage, which is characteristic of mental regression.
Often, people in this state experience compensatory activity, which manifests itself in the form of monotonous body movements. The appearance of such symptoms in childhood can cause a delay in the development of the musculoskeletal system.
Deprivation is depriving a person of those life circumstances to which a person has become accustomed since childhood Cognitive deprivation
This type of mental state has high degree prevalence. Often, this form of disorder is referred to using the term “information deprivation.” This phenomenon is characterized by the absence adequate perception the surrounding world due to its changing conditions. The lack of information that makes it possible to create a strong chain between various events leads to the fact that the individual adds “false links” to this chain, built on his own beliefs.
Cognitive deprivation is dangerous because lack of information and false conclusions can lead to various problems in relationship with the people around you. As an example, let's consider a situation in which a woman returned home late at night with a bouquet of flowers. The above example may have several development paths, which are based on the personality type and level of self-esteem of her partner. Often, a lack of information and false conclusions lead to the fact that the husband begins to reproach the woman for adultery, building a logical chain only on the fact that the wife has flowers. Considering the above, we can say that the ability to correctly perceive various information is one of the necessary skills in social adaptation.
Emotional deprivation
The appearance of this condition is associated with a lack of incentives to obtain certain emotions. In this case, great value is given to various turning points that act as provoking factors in the development of the disease. Let's look at an example that relies on the flaw mother's love in childhood. This form of emotional deprivation occurs quite often in various sectors of society. According to experts, people with this problem remain in a state of deprivation throughout their lives. When building their own social unit, such people try to take part in the lives of their children as much as possible.
English verb to deprive means to deprive, take away, take away, and with a strong negative accent Deprivation in childhood
The above types of deprivation have their most acute manifestation in childhood, due to the presence of large quantity different needs. In addition, the development of this condition is facilitated by the lack of ability to compensate for one’s own deprivations. It is very important to pay attention to the fact that the presence of the problem in question in childhood can directly affect the development of the child.
Coming out of infancy, the child begins to experience the same needs as an adult. One of the most simple needs having important in personality development – communication. It is through communication that a person acquires various skills, develops his own perception of the world around him and increases his level of intelligence. This is why psychologists focus on the importance of communication with peers for a child. Communication deficits are observed in children who do not attend kindergarten, which in the future can lead to problems associated with adaptation in society. This phenomenon is designated using the term “social deprivation”.
There is also pedagogical deprivation, which manifests itself in the form of a lack of interest in learning. Many children have difficulty learning in school due to low interest in exact sciences and difficulties in mastering various skills. Having this problem can lead to a serious personality disorder in the future. Exactly at school years the foundations of personality are laid, such as desire, perseverance and patience.
Clinical picture
Timely detection of the onset of deprivation plays a huge role in a person’s life. It is very important to correctly recognize changes in an individual's behavior. Most often, deprivation manifests itself in the form of aggression and anger towards the immediate environment. The reason for the appearance of these feelings is associated with the inability to satisfy one’s own psychological and physiological needs. Constant dissatisfaction of one's own needs leads to the feeling of anger becoming usual state. Constant aggression directly affects the state of a person’s psyche. The presence of such problems in childhood can lead to the appearance of physiological ailments associated with involuntary urination and other disorders.
Much less often, the condition in question manifests itself in the form of isolation in own world. In this state, a person tries to compensate for the lack of various needs by trying to convince himself that he does not need them. In an attempt to calm down, the individual devotes himself to activities that do not require high emotional return. Such a manifestation of emotional indifference has a certain similarity with the state of prostration. It should be noted that even such a manifestation of dissatisfaction with one’s own needs can negatively affect psychological health.
According to statistics, the inability to satisfy one’s own needs gives rise to suicidal thoughts, the development of depressive syndrome and even manic tendencies. Quite a lot important role has emotional deprivation that appeared in childhood, since the lack of necessary feelings from parents is almost impossible to compensate.
Numerous studies by scientists from the field of psychology are devoted to this topic. In their opinion, there are a number of specific needs that are vital for people in in different ways. Possibility of implementation own desires has an important role in a person's personality.
For ordinary person Almost any deprivation is a nuisance Methods of therapy and psychocorrection
In most cases, you can cope with deprivation syndrome on your own, without resorting to the help of specialists. IN this issue The level of understanding and support provided by loved ones is important. In order to get rid of deprivation, you need to expand your horizons using various tools. Various interest groups can serve as such tools. The emotional deficit of communication can be compensated by frequent meetings with friends and trips to various entertainment venues. Flaw tactile contact usually compensated by establishing close relationships with the opposite sex.
It is important to note that to overcome a severe form of deprivation, a person needs more global help. In order to get rid of childhood social deprivation, the child must attend a specialized rehabilitation center. It is in such an institution that the child will be able to compensate for the lack of attention to himself and the lack of communication. It should be said that the problem of social deprivation should be considered at the state level.
Most often, deprivation syndrome occurs in pensioners who are forced to live out their old age in solitude and isolation. Social services attach great importance to this issue and often organize various events for pensioners free of charge.
Psychologists use completely different methods to combat deprivation syndrome.
One of important areas corrections - a radical change in lifestyle and an attempt to compensate with the help of self-realization in other areas. It should be noted that in the presence of severe emotional deprivation, the problem can only be dealt with with the help of a specialist.
Considered the most effective method treatment at present, it is compared with electroconvulsive therapy, which removes depression in a few hours. It allows you to short term bring the patient out of deep sleep and restore normal sleep.
ABOUT therapeutic effect Everyone knows about the effects of starvation on the body. By depriving ourselves of food we can pursue different goals, but the main thing is health improvement. Sleep deprivation (deprivation), voluntary or forced, exposes the body to severe pathological stress.
Until 1966, it was believed that insomnia had only detrimental effects. That is why it has been used since time immemorial as the most sophisticated torture.
Thanks to Walter Schulte, a Swiss psychiatrist, they discovered medicinal properties insomnia. The researcher introduced sleep deprivation into medical practice, How effective method treatment for depressive conditions.
At first glance, this method looks paradoxical: a personexhausted by insomnia, but they don’t let him sleep at all! However, there is a logic to this treatment.
The patient experiences a lack of full-fledged paradoxical sleep; deprivation of even that small part that is observed in him invariably causes stress, a z begins and enhanced production of catecholamines (transmitters and adapters of the most important physiological processes), supporting emotional tone. Increased tone stimulates the overall mental mood.
The result of treatment with sleep deprivation can even be euphoria, which takes out the depressed state.
By the way, even the ancient Romans used prolonged wakefulness (2–3 days) to get rid of melancholy (the word depression was unfamiliar to them).
Studies have shown that the biochemical mechanisms of therapeutic sleep deprivation and therapeutic fasting are similar and are caused by a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the patient’s blood.
How does the sleep deprivation method work?
Periodically occurring processes healthy person strictly coordinated and subject to a 24-hour daily rhythm. This applies to sleep patterns, changes in body temperature, appetite, heart rate, metabolism and blood pressure.
In a depressed patient, many of these processes are disturbed:
The structure of sleep is mismatched,
In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted,
Mental condition acquires a characteristic: in the morning there is a decrease in appetite, a melancholy mood, lethargy; in the evening these manifestations decrease.
Thus, one of the main factors of depression is mismatch and desynchronization of cyclic physiological and biochemical processes in organism. Deprivation is an attempt to restore the balance between them by changing the order of biological rhythms.
Sleep deprivation is used most often in the treatment of endogenous depression accompanied by elements of apathy:
- decrease in emotional level,
- mental retardation,
- obsessive ideas of futility, guilt,
- self-criticism etc.
The effect of sleep deprivation on various depressive conditions:
Manic-depressive psychosis responds best to treatment, improvement occurs in 74%,
In schizophrenia – in 49.3%,
With neurotic depression – in 32.6%.
Those with melancholy depression recover the fastest, while those with anxious depression recover slower; masked depression is almost untreatable.
The severity of the disease and the effectiveness of deprivation are directly proportional: the more severe the disease, the more effective the treatment.
Elderly patients are less responsive to deprivation treatment.
Like any other disease, early stages diagnostics However, there is evidence of the cure of prolonged depression, lasting for a year or more.
Mechanism of the method
It is necessary to increase the duration of wakefulness to 36-38 hours: the patient wakes up as usual, at night and the next day. Next night sleep occurs at the usual time and lasts, as a rule, from 10 to 12 hours.
An improvement in the condition may occur after the first time of deprivation, but it will be short-term, the result must be consolidated - 6 sessions or more.
Features of treatment:
Even for a short time, it is necessary to alternate between passive and active work, books and TV are not advisable. The greatest activity should be planned for the night hours from 1 to 2, and the morning hours from 4 to 6 am; during these periods, drowsiness is increased.
On a sleepless night, you can snack by eating light foods, tea and coffee not recommended. The next day may be accompanied by bouts of drowsiness and mild lethargy. Long walks and light physical activity will help you cope.
Before deprivation, medications containing tranquilizing, sedatives and sleeping pills.
At the beginning of treatment, deprivation is carried out 2 times a week, reducing the frequency to 1 time as the condition improves.
Improvement
The condition improves gradually; patients may not feel positive changes for a long time, but rather experience an exacerbation of the disease.
Maximum relief from the symptoms of depression occurs in the morning, usually the most difficult hours for patients. Mood improves, physical weakness disappears, a feeling of life, sociability and activity appear. In the following hours, the previous state returns gradually or suddenly.
Falling asleep after deprivation is easier, morning symptoms are less pronounced. Repeating the procedure leads to consolidation positive effects: improving mood, appetite and sleep, reducing sad thoughts, understanding and criticism of past depressive experiences comes.
Contraindications
It is believed that sleep deprivation is aimed selectively at certain areas of the brain and does not harm those that are not related to depression. This explains the almost complete absence side effects and contraindications.
High arterial pressure,
acute or acute chronic diseases.
In no case should such treatment be carried out without prior consultation with a doctor and a thorough medical examination. Sleep deprivation over a long period of time can trigger diseases such as epilepsy.
Sources: A.M. Wayne “Three Thirds of Life”, A. Borbeli “The Secret of Sleep”, guidelines 1980 of the Ministry of Health of the RSFSR "Sleep deprivation as a method of treating patients with depressive conditions."
Elena Valve for the project Sleepy Cantata.