Neurosis or neuroticism, also known as emotional instability, is a psychological trait that defines part of the personality, the psychological characteristics of a person. Being neurotic usually implies a negative emotional state for long periods of time that can also be aggravated by other problems such as anxiety, feelings of guilt, depression, anger or even envy. Neurosis is a psychological disorder that makes those who suffer from it suffer, but it is a relatively manageable condition. You are always in contact with reality, there is no depersonalization.
The development of a neurotic personality depends on several factors; For example, neurotic people are more affected by seasonal changes, suffer more stress and are less able to cope with it and the challenges of daily life. Some factors that can favor emotional stability and the development of a neurosis are:
- Unstructured family.
- Emotional deficiencies.
- Overprotection or undercare.
- Hereditary factors.
- Distressing life events, especially during childhood (abuse; abandonment; abuse; loss of a parent; physical loss alone, for example, in a forest).
- Social, environmental and cultural conditions.
Types of neuroses:
- Of anguish. It is episodic and usually presents pessimism and somatic discomfort such as tingling, numbness and dizziness.
- Phobic: intense irrational fears of objects or situations. It can lead to anxiety attacks.
- Obsessive. Persistent thoughts of distressing and uncontrollable content. There is depression and guilt.
- Hypochondriac. Constant concern for one's own health and reference to symptoms of illnesses.
-Depressive. Excessive self-criticism, low self-confidence and self-esteem. There may be physical discomfort.
- Neurasthenic. Weakness, fatigue and low self-esteem.
- Depersonalization. Feelings of unreality and strangeness towards oneself and the environment, episodes of panic may occur.
- Hysterical. There is a conversion type with an attitude of indifference, paradoxical paralysis, convulsive crises, sensory differences and pain; and dissociative type with alterations in consciousness and sense of identity. The anguish is not evident.
Signs of neurosis or neuroticism are usually:
- Sadness continues.
- Frequent emotional suffering.
- Lack of interest in doing things that are fun or bring pleasure.
- Intolerance of others.
- Irritability and “explosions” in conversations with other people.
- Excessive sweating of the hands.
- Anxiety.
- Interpersonal relationship problems.
- Tendency towards shyness.
- Feelings of anguish and guilt.
- Inability to make appropriate decisions.
- Excessive worries without apparent cause.
- Development of ritual or repetitive behaviors such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Excessive order.
- Irregular rest or insomnia.
- Headache.
- Weak will.
- Loss of desire to work or difficulty going to work or leaving home.
- Excessive worry.
The psychiatrist or psychologist can establish the diagnosis of neurosis based on the interview with the patient in which special attention will be paid to the patient's life history. A series of multiple choice tests can also be carried out.
Treatment based on psychotherapy sessions to modify the unfocused perceptions and interpretations that the patient has about himself is usually the treatment of choice. If the level of severity of the neurosis is high, it may be necessary to combine it with pharmacological treatment to alleviate acute symptoms such as anxiety or depression.
Prevention measures against neurosis have not been described, but healthy lifestyle habits such as:
- A healthy and balanced diet.
- Promote healthy social relationships.
- Do outdoor activities.
- Have a hobby.
- Follow a relaxation routine.
What is hysteria? What is schizophrenia?
