The phenomenon of mannerism in context of self-presentation in individuals with mental and behavioral disorders

This article analyzes the phenomenon of mannerism, considered in psychiatry as a psychopathological symptom. The phenomenon is based on mechanisms of self-presentation. Both mentally healthy individuals and those with mental and behavioral disorders are capable of presenting themselves to the world. The paper explores the specific manifestations of mannerism in personality disorders, manic, paraphrenic, hebephrenic, and catatonic syndromes, pathological fantasizing, as well as in cases of homosexual orientation and transgender identity. Using the example of the renowned Russian actress Renata Litvinova, the phenomenon of mannerism is also examined as an artistic device. The article concludes that mannerism is not a uniform or integral phenomenon—under different psychological and psychopathological conditions, it may appear in various forms and have distinct mechanisms of psychogenesis. The traditional definition of mannerism, which includes artificiality, affectation, pretentiousness, unnaturalness, and theatricality of behavior, is based on the assumption that such behavior is consciously employed to achieve communicative goals, particularly to attract the attention of others or significant figures. In addition, mannerism may reflect underlying psychopathological symptoms and serve as their external equivalent.