Neurosis
This article describes the term in psychology. For the experimental metal band, see Neurosis (band).
Dictionary Entry on
Neurosis:
Neurosis - noun a type of mental illness in which the patient suffers from extreme anxiety
* neurotic''
adjective 1: suffering from neurosis 2: in a bad
nervous state.
*
noun someone suffering from neurosis.
*
neurotically adjective.
No longer used as a formal term in modern
psychology,
neurosis, also known as
psychoneurosis or
neurotic disorder, was a "catch all" term that referred to any mental imbalance that caused
distress, but, unlike a
psychosis or
personality disorder, did not prevent rational thought or an individual's ability to function in daily life. As an
illness, it represents a variety of psychiatric conditions in which emotional distress or unconscious conflict is expressed through various physical, physiological, and mental disturbances, which may include physical symptoms (e.g.,
hysteria). The definitive symptom is
anxieties. Neurotic tendencies are common in populations and may manifest themselves as
depression, acute or chronic
anxiety,
obsessive-
compulsive tendencies,
phobias, and even
personality disorders, such as
borderline personality disorder or
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. It has perhaps been most simply defined as a "poor ability to adapt to one's environment, an inability to change one's life patterns, and the inability to develop a richer, more complex, more satisfying personality."
[Boeree, Dr. C. George. "A Bio-Social Theory of Neurosis", 2002.] Neurosis should not be mistaken for
psychosis, which refers to more severe disorders.
The term connotes an actual
disorder or
disease, but under its general definition, neurosis is a normal human experience, part of the
human condition. Most people are affected by neurosis in some form. Some neuroses, such as drive for success and power, are actually rewarded in Western societies, but persons so possessed, when removed from the arena of competition, experience severe distress. A psychological problem develops when neuroses begin to interfere with, but not significantly impair, normal functioning, and thus cause the individual anxiety. Frequently, the coping mechanisms enlisted to help "ward off" the anxiety only exacerbate the situation, causing more distress. It has even been defined in terms of this coping strategy, as a "symbolic behavior in defense against excessive psychobiologic pain [which] is self-perpetuating because symbolic satisfactions cannot fulfill real needs."
[Janov, Dr. Arthur. "Neurosis", 1998.]According to
psychoanalytic theory, neuroses may be rooted in ego defense mechanisms, but the two concepts are not synonymous.
Defense mechanisms are a normal way of developing and maintaining a consistent sense of self (i.e., an
ego), while only those thought and behavior patterns that produce difficulties in living should be termed
neuroses.
There are many different specific forms of
neuroses:
pyromania,
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
anxiety neurosis,
hysteria (in which anxiety may be discharged through a physical symptom), and an endless variety of
phobias. According to Dr. George Boeree, effects of neurosis can involve:
...anxiety, sadness or depression, anger, irritability, mental confusion, low sense of self-worth, etc., behavioral symptoms such as phobic avoidance, vigilance, impulsive and compulsive acts, lethargy, etc., cognitive problems such as unpleasant or disturbing thoughts, repetition of thoughts and obsession, habitual fantasizing, negativity and cynicism, etc. Interpersonally, neurosis involves dependency, aggressiveness, perfectionism, schizoid isolation, socio-culturally inappropriate behaviors, etc. [Boeree, Dr. C. George. "A Bio-Social Theory of Neurosis", 2002.]
Although neuroses are targeted by
psychoanalysis,
psychotherapy,
counseling, or other
psychiatric techniques, there is still controversy over whether these professionals can perform accurate and reliable diagnoses, and whether many of the resulting treatments are also appropriate, effective, and reliable. Some studies show no extra benefit gained from talk therapies when compared with other kinds of untrained personal companionship and discussion.
While the traditional talk-therapies (e.g.,
psychoanalysis) encourage the patient to explore these thought patterns, an argument can be made that
cognitive therapy, which offers patients specific guidance on reshaping and replacing old patterns with new, more functional ones, should be more effective. However, since cognitive therapies rely on logical and reasonable communication and thought patterns, it may be that many patients are not sufficiently advanced in intelligence and self-control to benefit from the techniques. More research is needed about the relationship between different types of intelligence, personality, and the patient's responsiveness to different treatment techniques.
The term was coined by the Scottish doctor
William Cullen in 1769 to refer to "disorders of sense and motion" caused by a "general affection of the
nervous system." For him, it described various nervous disorders and symptoms that could not be explained physiologically. It derives from two
Greek words:
neuron (nerve) and
osis (diseased or abnormal condition).
Throughout its history, the term
neurosis, while adhering generally to the above definitions, has been used as a "catch-all" term for many medical or psychological phenomena. Partly due to this lack of definition, it is clinically no longer in common use. Current classification systems have abandoned the category of neurosis; the
DSM-IV has eliminated the category altogether. Disorders formerly termed as neuroses are now described under more specific disorders such as
anxiety,
depression, and
personality disorders. Still, the usage of the term
neurosis remains controversial, and it has been argued that a more appropriate term is needed to replace it.
*
Freud, Sigmund.
The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. Trans. James Strachey. 24 vols. London: Hogarth, 1953-74.
*
Horney, Karen.
The Collected Works. (2 Vols.) Norton, 1937.
* Winokur, Jon.
Encyclopedia Neurotica. 2005. ISBN 0312325010.
* Boeree, Dr. C. George, "
A Bio-Social Theory of Neurosis".
* Janov, Dr. Arthur, "
Neurosis".
