In today's world where the pace of life is inexorably accelerating and every day brings new challenges psychological well-being has become an essential aspect of our health. We are faced with many stressful situations that can have a significant impact on our emotional state. Under such conditions, neuroses, as a form of mental disorder, are becoming increasingly common. These conditions can seriously hamper one's daily life, affecting their performance, relationships with the loved ones and overall well-being. In this article we will talk about what neuroses are, how they are classified and what their main symptoms are.
Is neurosis a disorder?
The term "neurosis" was introduced into the medical lexicon in 1776 by the Scottish physician William Cullen. This concept is actively used in the field of clinical psychology, where it is associated exclusively with human mental disorders. It is important to realize that neurosis in the context of psychology is also expressed through a disturbed perception of oneself and others through an unresolved contradiction between personal desires and reality at the subconscious level.
In the process of developing the methodology of express-diagnosis of neuroses K. Heck and H. Hess noted that those who sought help often reported internal discomfort, a discrepancy between their aspirations and real possibilities. This observation was key to accounting for the wide range of both somatic and psychiatric symptoms in this diagnosis.
The authors of the technique categorize neurosis into three main types:
- neurasthenia;
- hysteria;
- obsessive compulsive neurosis.
This technique provides a more detailed analysis of the symptomatology of neuroses.
Neurasthenia
Neurasthenia is characterized as a deterioration in the functioning of the human nervous system due to excessive stress of internal life processes. This leads to failures in the system of emotional regulation and causes increased activity in various aspects of life. In men neurasthenia is diagnosed more often than in women, since women are initially more prone to emotionality and have a habit of expressing their feelings outwardly.
Hysteria
Hysteria is a violation of physiological and mental functions of a person, arising against the background of deep mental trauma or as a result of long-term negative influences. This type of neurosis is most often observed in women, since men are less susceptible to suggestion and self-injury. In persons with hysteria theatricality of behavior, excessive and uncontrolled emotional reaction prevails, as well as a tendency to exaggeration.
Obsessive compulsive neurosis
Obsessive compulsive neurosis denotes a decrease in the sensitivity of the nervous system and destabilization of consciousness through compulsive actions that distort a person's perception of reality. Such people lose adaptability, social activity, creativity in thinking, and do not distinguish the boundary between reality and fantasies, succumbing to fears. They are prone to irritability, emotional instability, experience sleep disorders, they have increased anxiety, they have unhealthy obsessions.
Heck and Hess's diagnostic technique
Our test includes 26 questions, each of which offers five answer options. The methodology is designed for individuals between the ages of 16 and 60.
