neurosis
nyoor-OH-sis
/njʊəˈrəʊ.sɪs/
A mild mental disorder characterized by anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and emotional distress without loss of contact with reality.
Neurosis involves psychological distress where the person remains grounded in reality, unlike psychosis where reality testing is lost.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1769 by Scottish doctor William Cullen from Greek 'neuron' (nerve) and '-osis' (condition). It originally meant a disorder of the nervous system, but psychoanalysis later redefined it as mental distress caused by unconscious internal conflicts.
Word relationships
- anxiety disorder: Anxiety disorder is the modern clinical diagnostic term replacing neurosis in official psychiatric manuals.
- maladjustment: Maladjustment refers to difficulty adapting to environment, rather than a specific internal psychological conflict.
- psychosis: Psychosis involves a severe breakdown in reality testing, whereas neurosis leaves reality intact.
- emotional stability: Emotional stability indicates resilience and freedom from persistent anxiety.
Commonly confused with
- psychosis: Neurosis involves distress while retaining a connection to reality; psychosis involves losing contact with reality through hallucinations or delusions.
Word family
- neurotic (adjective / noun): Suffering from or relating to neurosis; an anxious person.
- neuroticism (noun): A fundamental personality trait characterized by anxiety, moodiness, and worry.
Collocations
- obsessive neurosis
- anxiety neurosis
- deep-seated neurosis
- develop a neurosis
Idioms & expressions
- tied up in knots
- worried sick
Example sentences
- "His persistent anxiety about perfectionism was identified as a classic symptom of neurosis." Clinical diagnostics context
- "Woody Allen's films frequently explore urban neurosis with humor and self-deprecation." Literary analysis context
Memory hook
NEUROSIS = NERVES in a state of distress. Nerve distress that keeps you anxious but grounded.
When not to use
Avoid using as a casual insult for someone who is merely neat, detailed, or peculiar.
Fun facts
- The American Psychiatric Association officially removed 'neurosis' as a diagnostic category in 1980, replacing it with specific anxiety disorders.
Related words
Explore more words
disquiet, compulsive, apprehensive, anguish, panicked, ataraxia
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