Syndrome Kandinsky-Konovalov. Symptoms, treatment, prognosis

The Kandinsky-Konovalov syndrome (Kandinsky-Clerambo) is one of the types of hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome, also called the syndrome of mental automatism. This state of the psyche, which is characterized by alienation or loss of "self", the negation of their own mental processes (sensory, motor and mental).

This state is combined with the sensation of the influence of some external force. Thus, the Kandinsky-Konovalov syndrome is defined as delusional, accompanied by a sense of physical and mental impact, as well as delusions of persecution, condition. Most often, this syndrome is observed in schizophrenia, but it also occurs as a comorbid symptom, for example, in a disease such as Konovalov-Wilson's disease.

In the series of neuropsychic manifestations of Wilson's disease - speech disorders, weak facial expressions, tremor, excessive salivation, impaired coordination of movements. With Konovalov-Wilson disease, in contrast to Konovalov's syndrome, the intellect is fully preserved. However, impulsive behavior accompanied by aggressive reactions and manifestations of numerous phobias is observed.

Wilson's disease is hereditary and is caused by a disruption of the normal distribution of copper in the body, which leads to its accumulation in the body. This, in turn, causes both liver damage (cirrhosis) and cerebellar lesions, cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. The disease is accompanied mainly by damage to the liver and central nervous system with involvement in the pathological process of the kidneys, as well as the eye.

Kandinsky's syndrome. Clinical picture

There are two main types of Kandinsky's syndrome, according to the detection of symptoms of a certain type:

- with the predominance of delusions of influence (mental automatism), which is usually caused by a greater degree of pathology in the sphere of thinking;

- with a predominance of neuro-hallucinatory disorders.

It is noteworthy that this syndrome occurs only in humans. The delusion of persecution and pseudo-hallucinations is realized in the imagination of the patient in a variety of ways: from hypnosis and witchcraft, to the technogenic impact of modern devices. For example, atomic energy or "electromagnetic radiation", coming from the computer monitor screen.

The prognosis of overcoming such a state as Kandinsky-Konovalov syndrome is extremely unfavorable.

In psychiatry, there are three types of mental automatism:

- associative or ideational;

- sensory, or senestopatic;

- kinesthetic or motor.

Associative or ideator automatisms are the result of an imaginary influence on thought processes, as well as other types of mental activity. The simplest kind of manifestation of associative automatisms is mentalism, that is, the involuntary course of thoughts and ideas, accompanied by the sensation of the patient, that his thoughts are known to everyone around him.

Sensory (senestopatic) automatisms include unpleasant sensations that arise in patients also allegedly as a result of extraneous influences. They can be very different. For example, a feeling of sudden onset of cold or heat, a feeling of pain "somewhere inside," in the head or in the extremities, can manifest itself.

To motor (kinesthetic) automatisms include disorders in which patients are convinced that the movements that they perform are not performed by themselves, but in addition to their will. To visual pseudo-hallucinations can be attributed made visions: faces, images, panoramic pictures, shown to the patient, as a rule, his pursuers with the help of certain man-made devices.

Treatment of Kandinsky-Konovalov syndrome

For the treatment of periods of exacerbation of the syndrome, a complex of antipsychotic medications such as tryptazine and haloperidol is used. In addition, with the positive effect of psychotropic drugs, the patient is necessarily maintained by a psychotherapist with subsequent rehabilitation.

Unlike such a condition as the Kandinsky-Konovalov syndrome, the treatment of Konovalov-Wilson's disease is symptomatic. Its purpose is to reduce the amount of copper entering the body and reduce the already available reserves of this substance. To this end, the patient is given a life-long diet, which implies a complete rejection of foods rich in copper: beans, coffee, chocolate, nuts, and so on.

Drug treatment of Konovalov-Wilson's disease is carried out with the help of drugs that remove copper from the body. For example, D-penicillamine, as well as zinc salts. In this case, treatment is prescribed strictly individually for each patient, but subject to a gradual increase in the doses of drugs.

Whatever the reasons for the various disorders in human behavior, the main reason for the transition of any mental disorder into a chronic form is the lack of due attention to the person from the relatives. In any case, late diagnosis and lack of appropriate treatment can lead a patient to death.