How to recognize a neurosis and what to do with it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In some cases, breakfast, lunch and dinner can save you from anxiety.

It's natural to be nervous from time to time. It is difficult to do without worry when the taxi is late to take you to the airport. Or your child is delayed from their first date. Or, for example, there is an interview coming up, on which your career depends.

However, some people don't need a reason to worry. Obsessive negative thoughts by themselves are spinning in the head and sometimes seriously reduce the quality of life. This is called neurosis. Or, to be precise, What Is Neurotic Behavior? …

What is neurosis

First of all, this is not a diagnosis. Neuroses and neuroticism: What’s the difference? … At least not already.

The term "neurosis" has been used quite actively since the 1790s and became especially popular with the light hand of Sigmund Freud, who built almost all of his psychoanalysis on it. In the twentieth century, psychiatrists and psychotherapists used this word to denote various mental, emotional and physical conditions associated with increased anxiety, phobias, hysteria, depression. But in 1994 neurosis disappeared from the updated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM ‑ IV DSM ‑ IV) as an independent diagnosis.

Modern scientists consider this term too vague and outdated.

And the symptoms of neurosis are seen as part of anxiety disorders. At the same time, neurotic behavior can still be defined quite clearly.

How to recognize neurosis

The thin line that separates neurotic behavior from normal behavior is the intensity of the reactions. With neurosis, they are so strong that they can interfere with personal and professional daily life.

Moreover, these reactions are manifested even in seemingly innocent situations.

Experts from the American medical publication WebMD give several examples of What Is Neurotic Behavior? that allow you to feel the difference between norm and neurosis.

1. Uncertainty in their strengths and capabilities

The norm: You are working on a complex and important project, remember the deadlines and worry about having to finish the work on time.

Neurosis: you constantly remember the deadline and endlessly suffer: "We will not be in time, we will never meet these deadlines!" Even the fact that neither you nor your colleagues are overwhelmed and you still have plenty of time ahead of you is not reassuring to you.

2. Nervousness and anxiety

The norm: in order not to be late for the plane, you prefer to arrive at the airport two hours before departure.

Neurosis: you move out "early, what if what ?!" and arrive at the place two or three hours before the start of registration. Despite this, you do not take your eyes off the information board and every 10-20 minutes you tug at the airport staff to find out if your flight will depart on time.

3. Problems with trust and self-esteem

The norm: Your ex-spouse cheated on you, and now you are suspicious of your new relationship.

Neurosis: you constantly suspect that your new partner is cheating on you. You check his phone, call him 10 times at the slightest delay, make scandals if he keeps in touch with friends of the opposite sex. Then, of course, blame yourself for your intemperance. But attacks of jealousy are repeated over and over again, and there is nothing you can do with yourself.

Where does neurosis come from?

Sometimes neurotic behavior is just a manifestation of your innate character, the so-called neurotic personality type. Such people are more vulnerable to stress. The neurotic personality type is easily determined using psychological tests.

But sometimes neurosis is a consequence of not congenital, but acquired mental disorders. Among them:

• generalized anxiety disorder;
• depression;
• social phobia;
• obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• panic disorder;
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Each of these conditions has its own reasons. And they are also corrected in different ways.

What to do to get rid of neurosis

If you remember that you used to be a different person - without symptoms of neurosis, and now obsessive negative thoughts interfere with your life, it is best to turn to a psychotherapist. The specialist will find out exactly what traumatic events led to the development of a neurotic disorder. And it will help you deal with anxiety.

However, if the manifestations of neurosis are not too strong, you can try to cope with the problem with home methods.

1. Walk more in the fresh air

At least 30 minutes a day. But even a 15-minute walk can make you feel better.

2. Talk to loved ones

Do not withdraw into yourself! Tell your family and friends exactly what makes you nervous. And ask to support you in difficult times.

3. Sleep at least 8 hours a day

Lack of sleep exacerbates anxiety and stress.

4. Cut back on caffeine and alcohol

They can also increase your anxiety and emotionality.

5. Eat well

The brain needs energy to cope with anxiety. Try not to skip breakfast, lunch and dinner, and avoid harsh diets.

6. Rethink your experiences

It's not always easy, but try replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Ask yourself: What makes you worry about the worst-case scenario? Are there serious prerequisites for this? Well, well, even if you, for example, break the deadline - so what? The world will certainly not turn upside down, and new experience will allow you to better calculate your strength in the future.

In general, try to look for the good in the bad. It is calming.

7. Write down all neurotic incidents

This will help you track down situations in which anxiety is becoming more pronounced. By finding patterns, you can avoid these circumstances.

But attention! If the above measures do not help and anxiety continues to interfere with your life, be sure to see a therapist. Mental disorders can be on the rise. It is easiest to defeat them early on.