Neurosis

Neurosis is a term used in Freudian psychology. According to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary of 2007, the term is "no longer used in psychiatric diagnosis".

The disorders once classified as neuroses are now considered anxiety disorders.^[1] However, these changes are still controversial.^[2]

Neurosis may 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".^[3]

Neurosis has also been defined simply 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."^[3]