neurosis

neurosis

a relatively mild mental disorder, characterized by symptoms such as hysteria, anxiety, depression, or obsessive behaviour

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

neurosis

a disorder of the emotions with no underlying physical cause for the feelings of ill health it engenders. Neurosis is a term covering a variety of AFFECTIVE DISORDERS, such as anxiety, depression and obsessive states. Though there is no disease, there is considerable unhappiness. Mental health may be restored through various therapies, PSYCHOANALYSIS primarily being designed to help neurotics, but client-centred therapy (see Carl ROGERS) within the counselling movement, and cognitive BEHAVIOUR THERAPY are also appropriate. Neurosis should be distinguished from PSYCHOSIS which describes much more severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia.

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

neurosis

[nu̇′rō·səs]

(psychology)

A category of emotional maladjustments characterized by some impairment of thinking and judgment, with anxiety as the chief symptom.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.