Neurosis
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2008-07-04T12:57:14Z
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/217.36.214.70|217.36.214.70]] ([[User talk:217.36.214.70|talk]]) to last version by SmackBot
:''This article describes the term in psychology. For the experimental metal band, see [[Neurosis (band)]].
'''Neurosis''', also known as '''psychoneurosis''' or '''neurotic disorder''', is a term that refers to any mental imbalance that causes [[distress]], but, unlike a [[psychosis]] or some [[personality disorders]], does not prevent or affect rational thought. It is particularly associated with the field of [[psychoanalysis]].
== History and use of the term ==
''To differentiate between neurosis and neurotic'': "Neurotic", or affected by neurosis, has come to describe a person with any degree of depression or anxiety, depressed feelings, lack of emotions, low self-confidence, and/or emotional instability.
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 the [[Greek language|Greek]] word ''[[neuron]]'' (nerve) with the suffix ''-osis'' (diseased or abnormal condition). The term was however most influentially defined by [[Carl Jung]] and [[Sigmund Freud]] over a century later.
The American [[DSM-III]] has eliminated the category of Neurosis. This largely reflects a decline in the fashionability of [[psychoanalysis]], and the progressive expurgation of psychoanalytical terminology from the DSM. It follows a trend to provide overt behavioral descriptions as opposed to terms referring to hidden psychological mechanisms due to diagnostic difficulties. <ref> Horwitz and Wakefield, ''The Loss of Sadness''. Oxford. 2007. (ISBN 9780195313048) </ref> Those who retain a psychoanalytical perspective, which would include a majority of psychologists in [[France]], continue to use the term 'neurosis'. According to The American Heritage Medical Dictionary it is "no longer used in psychiatric diagnosis."<ref>''The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary''. Houghton Mifflin. 2007. (ISBN 9780618824359)</ref>
==Psychoanalytical account of neurosis==
As an [[illness]], neurosis represents a variety of psychiatric conditions in which emotional distress or [[Unconscious mind|unconscious]] conflict is expressed through various physical, physiological, and mental disturbances, which may include physical symptoms (e.g., [[hysteria]]). The definitive symptom is [[anxiety|anxieties]]. Neurotic tendencies are common and may manifest themselves as [[clinical depression|depression]], acute or chronic [[anxiety]], [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive]] tendencies, [[phobia]]s, 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." <ref>Boeree, Dr. C. George. "A Bio-Social Theory of Neurosis", 2002.</ref> Neurosis should not be mistaken for [[psychosis]], which refers to loss of touch with reality.
The term connotes an actual [[mental illness|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. <!-- COMMENTED OUT: I DON'T THINK THIS IS A NEUROSES AND IF IT IS I THINK MYSELF AND SEVERAL OTHER READERS WOULD REQUIRE A SOURCE TO BE CONVINCED THIS FITS THE DEFINITION. Some neuroses, such as drive for success and power, are actually rewarded in Western societies, at least when they are meeting with some success; when they meet with failure however, such drives entail 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." <ref>Janov, Dr. Arthur. "Neurosis", 1998.</ref>
According to [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytic]] theory, neuroses may be rooted in [[ego]] defense mechanisms, but the two concepts are not synonymous. [[Defense mechanism]]s 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'''.
== Effects and symptoms ==
There are many different specific forms of '''neurosis''': [[pyromania]], [[obsessive-compulsive disorder]], [[anxiety]] neurosis, [[hysteria]] (in which anxiety may be discharged through a physical symptom), and an endless variety of [[phobia]]s. According to Dr. George Boeree, effects of neurosis can involve:
<blockquote>...[[anxiety]], sadness or [[Clinical depression|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 [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder|obsession]], habitual fantasizing, negativity and cynicism, etc. Interpersonally, neurosis involves dependency, aggressiveness, [[perfectionism (psychology)|perfectionism]], schizoid isolation, socio-culturally inappropriate behaviors, etc. <ref>Boeree, Dr. C. George. "A Bio-Social Theory of Neurosis", 2002.</ref> </blockquote>
== Treatment ==
Neurosis can be treated by different methods. There is''' psychotherapy''', '''behavior therapy''', and '''various drugs''' to alleviate the symptoms. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications will help the sufferer, and some drugs will boost up self-worth and self esteem. These methods will usually help neurotic sufferers in 4-5 weeks.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
<span id="neurosis_jung_theory"></span>
==Jung's theory of neurosis==
{{main|Jung's theory of neurosis}}
Jung found his approach particularly fitting for people who are successfully adjusted by normal social standards, but who nevertheless have issues with the meaning of their life.
<blockquote>
I have frequently seen people become neurotic when they content themselves with inadequate or wrong answers to the questions of life (Jung, [1961] 1989:140).
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
The majority of my patients consisted not of believers but of those who had lost their faith (Jung, [1961] 1989:140).
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
[Contemporary man] is blind to the fact that, with all his rationality and efficiency, he is possessed by "powers" that are beyond his control. His gods and demons have not disappeared at all; they have merely got new names. They keep him on the run with restlessness, vague apprehensions, psychological complications, an insatiable need for pills, alcohol, tobacco, food – and, above all, a large array of neuroses. (Jung, 1964:82).
</blockquote>
Jung found that the unconscious finds expression primarily through an individual’s inferior psychological function, whether it is thinking, feeling, sensing, or intuition. The characteristic effects of a neurosis on the dominant and inferior functions are discussed in ''[[Psychological Types]]''.
Jung saw collective neuroses in politics... "Our world is, so to speak, dissociated like a neurotic" (Jung, 1964:85).
== References ==
{{reflist}}
* [[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.
* Horwitz, A. V. and J. C. Wakefield. ''The Loss of Sadness: How Psychiatry Transformed Normal Sorrow into Depressive Disorder''. Oxford University Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-19-531304-8.
* Jung, C.G., et al. (1964). Man and his Symbols, New York, N.Y.: Anchor Books, Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-05221-9.
* Jung, C.G. (1966). ''Two Essays on Analytical Psychology'', Collected Works, Volume 7, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-01782-4.
* Jung, C.G. [1921] (1971). ''Psychological Types'', Collected Works, Volume 6, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-01813-8.
* Jung, C.G. [1961] (1989). 'Memories, Dreams, Reflections'', New York, N.Y.: Vantage Books. ISBN 0-679-72395-1
* Winokur, Jon. ''Encyclopedia Neurotica.'' 2005. ISBN 0-312-32501-0.
== External links ==
* Boeree, Dr. C. George, "[http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/genpsyneurosis.html A Bio-Social Theory of Neurosis]".
* Janov, Dr. Arthur, "[http://www.continuum-concept.org/reading/neurosis.html Neurosis]".
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[[Category:Psychiatry]]
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