Magiphrenic syndrome

Among the psychopathological conditions associated with personality disorder, specialists of the Russian psychiatric school emphasize magiphrenia or magiphrenic syndrome (from Greek mageia - magic or sorcery and phren - mind, reason) - with the prevalence of concepts and thoughts of a magical nature, which do not fit into the framework of scientific ideas.

In Western psychiatry this syndrome is not recognized as a separate nosological unit, but there is a concept of magical thinking - the belief that one event occurs as a result of another without plausible cause-and-effect relationship, i.e. Supernaturally.

Causes of the magiphrenic syndrome

The emergence of the term "magiphrenia" in the mid-1990s is attributed to the research of Russian psychiatrist Boris Pozhodya, according to whom this condition consists in the prevalence of metaphysical (irrational) ideas in the consciousness of the individual, incomprehensible from the point of view of science.

Based on the position on mental health as a reflection of the social state of society, Russian researchers, first of all, attribute the causes of this syndrome to psychosocial stresses that people faced during the period of radical socio-political, economic and attitudinal changes after 1991. And the inability of quite a large number of ordinary citizens to adapt to the new realities was due to the collapse of old ideals and values (dogmas of the prevailing totalitarian consciousness) and the lack of new ones.

This is believed to be the reason for the sharp increase in cases of personality disorders, which can be proved by the twofold increase in patients in psychiatric clinics in the Russian Federation. And by the end of spring 2021, according to official data alone, almost 5.6 million Russian citizens - about 4% of the total population - were suffering from various mental disorders.

European and American psychiatrists have noted that magical thinking, a type of faulty thinking (mental content disorder) with the establishment of false cause-and-effect relationships, usually occurs as part of obsessive-compulsivea disorder. When it is present, people suffer from obsessions, including about the ability of their thoughts to cause or prevent real-life events.

Magical thinking is also characteristic of generalized anxiety disorders, when patients, without plausible causation, genuinely believe that their anxiety somehow controls the world around them and even protects them from misfortune.

Research has shown that fixation on the paranormal, including magic and superstition, is often present in patients with schizoid psychopathy (who suffer auditory hallucinations and believe they have special powers) and bipolar disorder.

Risk factors

The main risk factors for the development of magiphrenia can be considered to be the above-mentioned radical changes in the life of society and individuals, loss of loved ones and other tragic events and situations leading to traumatic experiences and prolonged stress, as well as neurotic personality type, low self-esteem, presence of mental disorders or predisposition to them (which may arise due to improper upbringing or strong influence of the environment).

Pathogenesis

In terms of epistemology (the doctrine of cognition), magical thinking - the belief in the ability of thoughts, actions, words, or symbols used to influence the course of events in the material world - presupposes a causal connection between inner, personal experience and the external physical world.

Representatives of social psychiatry, which is based on the identification of mental disorders associated with certain social processes, try to explain the pathogenesis of the so-called magiphrenic syndrome by certain changes in neuronal connections in the brain (although the true neurobiological mechanisms of the development of psychopathological conditions are unknown), disturbances in the emotional sphere and/or certain cognitive limitations, which may manifest themselves in the inability to logically comprehend reality and to understand and comprehend the nature of psychopathology.

And here it is appropriate to note that in ancient times magic had a fertile ground - lack of understanding of the causes of most of the occurring phenomena of nature; many magical rituals became folk traditions, rites of magical character are used practically by all religions. As the German philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote in the XVIII century, the human mind besieged by questions cannot evade them, but also cannot give an answer to them, as they "exceed all its possibilities". And in the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud argued that primitive people had great faith in the power of their desires, and magical thinking is generated by cognitive factors of human development.

Symptoms of the magiphrenic syndrome

When conscious mental activity is impaired in the form of a magiphrenic syndrome, symptoms such as:

• the presence of mystical beliefs (belief in everything supernatural) and supervaluable (close to delusional) ideas of magical content;
• a limited range of interests and social connections;
• excessive fears or worries;
• hypersensitivity and suggestibility;
• depressed state and emotional lability with frequent changes in mood in the direction of its deterioration.

Also, people with pathological magical thinking are more likely than others to turn to psychics, fortune-tellers, astrologers and healers. And patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder usually participate in certain rituals or - to calm down - perform stereotypical compulsive behaviors.

Complications and consequences

Among the possible complications and consequences of the syndrome of magiphrenia are its negative impact on personal life and professional activity, orientation to mystical teachings (esotericism), increased interest in pseudo-religious sects and even joining them.

Attitudes in medicine often change - with a commitment to alternative (znakhar) treatments.

Diagnostics of the magiphrenic syndrome

There is no methodological basis for assessing the clinical manifestations and psychopathologic features of this syndrome, but diagnosis, including differential diagnosis, should be based on the examination of patients with a comprehensive study of the neuropsychiatric sphere, as well as study of cognitive functions.

Treatment of the magiphrenic syndrome

There is no treatment methodology for magiphrenic syndrome yet. But all types of obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders are usually treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Depending on the patients' condition, antipsychotic medications may be used.

Prevention

As research shows, magical thinking is widespread in modern societies, but preventive measures for its transition into a psychopathological state have not been developed.

According to renowned Canadian psychologist James Allcock, because of our neurobiological structure, we are prone to magical thinking, and so critical thinking is often at a disadvantage. And even superstition is a normal part of human culture.

Forecast

In the presence of pathological magiphrenia, its prognosis is in direct correlation with the degree of mental disorder of a particular individual.