Affect status: causes, signs, characteristics, examination

Most people tend to show their feelings and experiences in a certain way. But in unexpected situations, this manifestation may be inadequate stormy, uncontrollable, and such an explosion of negative emotions is defined in psychiatry as affect.

Such a short psychophysiological state is a consequence of instantaneous fear, with a potential threat, extreme irritation, anger, anger, or despair.

[1], [2]

Causes of the affect

The state of affect is considered a reflex (automatic) response or a subconscious form of defensive reaction in critical circumstances and in times of danger.

Analyzing the causes of the state of affect, experts came to the conclusion that most often it is provoked by situations that somehow threaten the life, health or well-being of a person and / or his loved ones (physical assault, sexual harassment, etc.). In addition, uncontrolled negative emotions can be caused by traumatic experiences that hurt the self-esteem with the statements and actions of others, with serious interpersonal disagreements that take the form of an open conflict.

Citing examples of affect, in the first place, psychologists note situations associated with a sense of jealousy, which often provoke affect and alcohol, which has a toxic effect on the brain. Alcohol intoxication disrupts the processes of inhibition of the central nervous system, restricts attention focusing, blocks cognitive zones of the brain, potentiates aggressiveness, which causes an inadequate emotional reaction of a drunk jealous.

To the state of affect can bring conflicts that arise during an accident: drivers, whose car as a result of the accident was damaged, in a spontaneous attack of aggression can attack the perpetrator of an accident or on his car, which is sometimes regarded as causing harm in a state of affect.

From the point of view of legal psychology, the classic affect - the state in which the unlawful action takes place - arises either because of one strong single psycho-traumatic event (obviously aggressive and threatening or associated with verbal humiliation and insult), or due to repeated (or prolonged) negative impact any traumatic situation. In the second case, an uncontrollable behavioral reaction is defined as a cumulative affect. It is often this affect in children can cause domestic violence from adults and corporal punishment. In this case, the appearance of an affective reaction is delayed until the moment when the child or teenager "bursts patience."

It is also believed that with the propensity of the individual not to restrain the overwhelming negative emotions arising in certain circumstances, this behavioral experience can be accumulated and consolidated in the subconscious - with the uncontrolled activation of the generated dynamic stereotype in all similar situations.

[3],

Risk factors

The main risk factors for an uncontrolled outburst of negative emotions are associated with the already mentioned above threatening situations and conflicts, as well as the lack of time to make the right decision. Experts emphasize the indisputable importance of the time factor: in almost all cases, extreme circumstances require immediate evaluation of the actions and lightning reactions, and when a person is in a state of affect, he can not assess the degree of their adequacy.

It should be borne in mind that in people who are impulsive, overly emotional, harsh and quick-tempered, the probability of a state of affect is higher than those of those with a calmer attitude toward others and moderation in the manifestation of feelings.

Although, as evidenced by the world criminal practice, people with different temperaments are capable of causing harm in a state of affect. For example, melancholy - with their emotional vulnerability and emotional restraint - multiple psychotraumatic situations can lead to cumulative affect.

[4], [5], [6], [7], [8],

Pathogenesis

The phenomenon of narrowing the boundaries of consciousness, focusing exclusively on the source of negative experiences (the affect object) and the loss of the function of the analysis of what is happening, collectively perceived as a temporary "obscuration of the mind," determine the pathogenesis of this state.

They say that negative emotions suppress the mind, breaking the dynamics of mental processes. That is, at the moment of the effect of undifferentiated psychotraumatic stimulation in the cerebral cortex, the mechanism of regulation of the processes of higher nervous activity-excitation and inhibition, perception and thinking, with the loss of the ability of a person to control one's behavior, occurs instantaneously. And all energy (in the form of ATP) is sent to the muscles, and this signal ("run or beat") explains the surge of physical strength in an extreme situation, even in the weakest people.

As noted by neurophysiologists, an explosion of emotions occurs with a brief disruption in the synchronization of activity of neurons of various cerebral structures related to the management of human emotions. These are the reticular formations of the brainstem; the region of the frontal and prefrontal cortex of the cerebral hemispheres; neocortex, middle brain and cerebellum, as well as the structures of the limbic system of the brain - almond-shaped bodies (in temporal regions of both hemispheres), hypothalamus and hippocampus.

Asynchronous excitation of neurons of the central nervous system can not but affect the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, causing a number of symptoms (in more detail - later).

An important role in the pathogenesis of affect is played by certain changes in neurochemical processes. According to the results of studies, in this state, as well as under acute stress, the balance of neurotransmitters is disturbed: the level of cortisol, adrenaline and acetylcholine rises. Excess of the hormone cortisol produced by the adrenal cortex increases the negative impact of negative emotions and increases the degree of excitation and aggression - in the absence of inhibitory effect on the affect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and especially serotonin. By the way, large doses of alcohol reduce the level of serotonin, causing a depressive state in most people who drink. Emission of adrenaline (norepinephrine) is known to excite extreme emotions during panic and emergency situations, and also provokes the synthesis of cortisol, causing an increase in blood pressure, an increase in heart rate and respiration. A significantly higher level of acetylcholine - an important neurotransmitter of the autonomic nervous system - contributes to the increased effects of adrenaline.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]

Symptoms of the affect

The first signs of a state of affect are determined by the symptomatology caused by the reaction of the autonomic nervous system to the forced neuro-psychic overexcitation: rapid heartbeat and respiration; hyperhidrosis, skin pallor; dilated pupils, dizziness; tremor and muscle tension; speech disorders, facial expressions, coordination of movements.

Further, the course of the processes of the central nervous system is disrupted, in particular: the orientation in space and time is lost, the character of the movements changes with the development of hypertrophic motor reaction and automatism, the sensory perception is distorted (peripheral vision is lost, the hearing is reduced), there is an inflow of forces with simultaneous limitation of consciousness and memory , there is aggression in behavior.

Symptoms of affect when exiting this state include a sharp decline (inhibition) of emotional-mental stress; prostration (indifference and a sense of internal devastation); general weakness, thirst and drowsiness; "Failures" of memory in relation to the circumstances preceding the affect, and subsequent actions.

[18], [19], [20]

Stages

In a state of affect, three phases or stages are distinguished:

• anticipating the stage - with a rapid increase in emotional tension, a violation of the ability to objectively assess what is happening and the subjective perception of the situation as extremely dangerous or hopeless;
• the stage of affective discharge (explosion) at the peak of emotional excitement, which manifests itself in uncontrollable motor activity, impulsive actions and inadequate actions;
• the stage of exit from the affective state.

[21], [22], [23]

Forms

There are several types of affect. So, the physiological affect is manifested

In the behavior of a healthy person with a single traumatic effect of a stressful situation on his psyche. In this case, the person does not lose the ability to understand and evaluate what is happening, therefore, forensic psychiatrists recognize such a condition as sane, and a person - adequate and subject to jurisdiction.

Pathological affect domestic specialists define as a brief disorder of the psyche in the form of an attack of intense anger or rage arising in response to the traumatic impact of certain life situations. In fact, it is an unconscious affect with a violation of certain processes of higher nervous activity, and it is recognized as a state of insanity.

In Western psychiatry, pathological (or pseudobulbar) affect is a disorder of emotional expression that can be manifested by involuntary cries or uncontrolled episodes of crying and / or laughter, usually associated with borderline personality disorders,  dementia  (including Alzheimer's disease),  hysterical neurosis, with disseminated or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in cases of depression on the background of hyperthyroidism, as well as after a stroke and craniocerebral trauma.

Domestic psychiatrists define such violations as an  organic personality disorder. These include manic affect, which is observed in the form of periodic attacks in patients with various manic conditions, and depressive affect in  bipolar affective disorder.

In criminal law, all personality disorders are equated with mental pathologies, and for a crime in a state of affect associated with the presence of such pathologies, the punishment is less severe - with simultaneous treatment.

It is believed that in a situation of physical violence a person most often embraces a feeling of fear - an affect of fear, fright, horror, confusion or asthenic affect. But in the same circumstances there can be a violent manifestation of anger and hatred with the emergence of a sthenic affect. However, it is believed that most people in situations accompanied by violent actions against them (or the real threat of such) behave under the influence of simultaneously embracing fear and anger, and many experts consider the separation of these two types of affect not legally constructive. In practice, laws on self-defense still distinguish such nuances, for example, as in the criminal law of Germany (according to §33 StGB, the excess of self-defense in a state of fear or asthenic affect is not punishable).

With hysterical neurosis and psychopathy in stressful situations, emotional affect can occur in the form of an expressive manifestation of negative feelings.

- this is not an expression of strong emotional excitement, but a state of depression and apathy after prolonged nervous and mental overload.

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Complications and consequences

The main consequences and complications caused by the state of affect are due to the fact that the actions produced by man and the actions he performs are not controlled by his consciousness - by reason and willpower, but are subject to the subconscious, instinctive (reflex) factors of the psyche. There is even a Latin legal term: non compos mentis, meaning "there is no sound mind".

Therefore, the state of affect in the Criminal Code - according to the legal canons - is attributed to extenuating circumstances, when a person not only inflicts an insult in a state of affect, but also commits a crime in a state of affect. Even murder in a state of affect, according to the law, entails a different penalty.

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The state of affect and criminal law

Special - the criminal-legal meaning of affect - is associated with criminal liability for committing illegal actions and causing harm in a state of affect (severe bodily harm).

For the first time, the defense of the defendant who committed the crime in a state of passion (crimes of passion) was used in 1859 against US Congressman Daniel Sikl, who killed his wife's lover in a fit of jealousy.

According to the Criminal Code of Ukraine (the Criminal Code of Ukraine), in case of necessary defense (Part 4, Article 36 of the Criminal Code) and in cases of extreme necessity (Part 3, Article 39 of the Criminal Code), a person shall not be subject to criminal liability if, due to strong emotional unrest caused by the public (threatening danger), it could not assess the conformity of the harm caused to them by the danger of assault or the situation of protection (conformity of the harm caused to this danger) ".

Part 1 of Art. 66 of the Criminal Code "Circumstances mitigating responsibility" includes, as such, strong emotional excitement caused by the unlawful or immoral actions of the victim.

Art. 116 "Intentional murder committed in the state of violent emotional excitement" is punishable by restraint of liberty for a term of up to five years or imprisonment for the same period.

Art. 123 Criminal Code "Intentional heavy bodily injury committed in a state of violent emotional unrest" implies a significant reduction in punishment.

To date, the state of affect in the Criminal Code - the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Part 2, Article 19) - is defined as a state of insanity, and a person who, while committing a socially dangerous act, was in a state of insanity, that is, he could not realize his actions (inaction) or manage them because of a temporary mental disorder, is not subject to criminal liability.

The law provides a set of characteristics that characterize insanity, which are determined by medical (biological) and legal (psychological) criteria. From a medical point of view, insanity can be the result of a "temporary mental disorder" - an acute, brief mental illness (in the form of seizures) that suddenly occurs (often as a consequence of severe mental trauma) and under favorable circumstances suddenly passes (pathological affects, alcoholic psychoses and other).

Medical conclusions are not final: it is necessary to establish the legal criterion of insanity, that is, "the inability of a person to realize his actions (inactivity) during the commission of a socially dangerous act, or to direct them precisely because of the presence of a mental illness, that is, a medical criterion".

Given the shortness of the psychophysiological state, defined as a state of affect, and the short duration of manifestation of its symptoms, the diagnosis of affect is not carried out, and forensic psychiatric examination is conducted in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On Forensic Examination" and Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine by order (No. 219/6507 dated 01.03. 2002).

According to the established procedure for conducting a ship-psychiatric examination, an examination of affect (as well as chronic mental illnesses, temporary mental disorders, dementia or other painful states of the psyche) in persons suspected or accused of committing a crime must be ordered by the pre-trial investigation bodies and the court. Examination can be conducted in the Ukrainian Research Institute of Social and Forensic Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in the centers of forensic psychiatric examinations, departments of psychoneurological hospitals and dispensaries.

The subject of examination is not only the definition of the mental state of suspects and accused persons (at specific intervals and relative

Certain circumstances of interest to the investigating authorities and

Court), but also materials of criminal or civil case - a crime in the state of affect, medical documentation, audio and video materials and other information relating to the mental state of the person to whom the examination is assigned.

See also -  Study of the neuropsychic sphere

In the course of the examination, differential diagnosis is particularly important, including the detection of organic personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, psychopathy, etc.

It is necessary to distinguish such concepts as affect, stress, frustration. So, the main difference between stress and affect lies in the duration of the condition and the nature of emotional and physical disorders that can lead to stressful mental or psychosomatic disorders (associated with the physiological response of the central nervous system, cardiorespiratory dysregulation and imbalance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hormones). And frustration is a repressed emotionally-psychic state of inner disappointment and awareness of its powerlessness that can arise in people because of the lack of opportunities to achieve their goals and satisfy their desires (often quite far from reality). Among the ways in which people most often cope with this condition, psychiatrists call passive-aggressive behavior, as well as anger or violence.

In the criminal law systems of the United States, Canada, Australia, the term "temporary insanity" (extended insanity) is used. But it is not always a mitigating circumstance when murder is committed in a state of affect. So, in 2009, a resident of Melbourne, Darcy Freeman, was sentenced to life imprisonment, who, in a frenzy, dropped his four-year-old daughter from the bridge. Freeman's defense was based on the fact that at that time he was "seized with a temporary insanity", but the jury did not accept this argument as a mitigating circumstance. Although in Australia the law of "temporary insanity" or "mental disorder" as a whole states that to mitigate the sentence it must be clearly demonstrated that at the time of committing the crime the accused was not able to assess the nature, quality or illegality of the actions.