What does it mean to be neurotic?
The term "neurotic" is actually no longer a term used in any official clinical diagnosis system or classification. While "neurosis" was once included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a diagnosis, this was removed in 1980 and is not commonly used by mental health professionals today. We now understand these symptoms to more appropriately fit with anxiety and depressive disorders. As with any outdated term, the meaning and use of the term neurotic and neurosis can vary considerably from person to person. In other words, without a standardized and official definition of diagnosis or symptom, there is a great deal of room for various interpretations and understandings of any mental health concept. Generally speaking, neurosis reflects a period of experiencing anxiety or obsessive thoughts, which can contribute to emotional instability and generally cause distress. At times, these symptoms may be severe enough to interfere with some areas of functioning, but not to a severe or significant degree. The good news is that these symptoms and experiences are well understood and treated within the framework of anxiety and/or depression, which most mental health clinicians are very experienced at working with!
Other questions related to Anxiety
- Are there benefits to having a neurotic personality?
- What types of therapy treatment can help reduce neurotic behavior?
- Are there any physical symptoms of anxiety?
- What is a panic attack (also known as an anxiety attack)?
- What are natural ways to help reduce anxiety?
- Is there medication for anxiety?
- What causes anxiety?
- What are the different types of anxiety?
- Is anxiety normal?
- How do you treat neurosis naturally?