Charcot's Hysterical Arc

Jacques Mathieu Charcot is a French neurologist and psychiatrist who studied the characteristics of emotional instability in nervous patients. The famous physician developed the diagnosis “hysterical neurasthenia” (or “sharconic hysterical neuropathy”) in order to explain some of the symptoms and behavioral characteristics characteristic of this category of patients. However, as a result of these studies, he discovered deep methodological shortcomings of his approach - such as excessive reliance on the subjective opinions of the patient, the lack of professional qualifications of the doctor as a curator of painful emotional states, the inability to control the motivation of the doctor-researcher, etc. In fact, rather than treating illnesses like phobias or neuroses, these specialists tended to encourage patients to identify and explore their own forms of illness.

Treatment of hysterical neuropathy involves dynamic interpersonal interaction between the patient and therapist, as well as between other patients or their close family members. Interventions may include advice on stress management, relaxation skills, meditation practices, consultation with behavioral specialists (eg, hypnologists or psychologists), use of evidence-based psychotherapies (such as supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy), and other specialized approaches. It is important to note that patients should be informed about the changes that may occur in brain function, mood and behavior during therapy and counseling so that they can respond appropriately to any negative changes in their emotional and mental states after treatment.