Neurosis in an umbrella term used to describe a variety of mental illness issues that deal with self awareness. It is not a clinical term that is widely used, as each specific neurosis has it’s own title and symptoms.
~Obsessive-compulsive disorder
With this part of the disorder patients know their obsessions are abnormal and yet they can not seem to stop.
The compulsions are made of up of repetitive and ritualized behaviors. They may include:
*repeated touching of objects, toughing the mirror three times before combing the hair
*rearranging objects, may go through cupboards and line up glasses and turn vegetable cans
*counting, counting the number of steps, or cracks on a sidewalk, tiles in the ceiling
*repeated hand washing
*checking things over and over, checking the lock three times, hanging up the phone a certain number of times
The obsession part of the illness is a little more hard to realize the thoughts are abnormal as they deal with thought patterns and often fears. They may include
*thoughts of committing violent acts
*extreme fantasies
*unwelcome sexual thoughts
*fear of becoming contaminated
*anxious thoughts
*fear of causing harm
*feelings of doubt
~Anxiety disorders
This type of neurosis would include social phobia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Many times these disorders are over diagnosed as they may be a reaction to a specific event. They tend to take care of themselves over time.
While they are disruptive to every day life the patient can still function. It is just harder to cope.
~Post-traumatic stress disorder
This disorder is a direct result of a traumatic event in someone’s life. The symptoms of post traumatic stress order may include:
*sleep issues (including nightmares)
*flash backs
*persistent memories
*head aches
*emotion issues: emotionally numb, detachment, intense guilt, irritability, issues with affection
*chest pains
*body aches
*gastrointestinal issues
~Mild depression
Depression disorders that would be consider neurosis is a form of depression that lasts months, not years. Typically it doesn’t need any medication for treatment. Time, understanding and making physical changes in diet and activity usually help with this form of mild depression.
~Dissociative disorder
This is when a person becomes separate from themselves of their identity. It is different than psychotic disorders. The person suffering from dissociative disorder simply stops living and doing the things they normally would participate in. For example, they may still go to work, but have no interaction with co-workers and stop all social events that they used to participate with. They may turn off their phones and television. They may sleep excessively.
None of these forms of neurosis can be properly diagnosed by a layman. A physician should make the diagnosis and perhaps refer the patient to a mental health specialist.
