neurosis

neurosis /neu·ro·sis/ (ndbobr-ro´sis) pl. neuro´ses  

1. former name for a category of mental disorders characterized by anxiety and avoidance behavior, with symptoms distressing to the patient, intact reality testing, no violations of gross social norms, and no apparent organic etiology.

2. in psychoanalytic theory, the process that gives rise to these disorders as well as personality disorders and some psychotic disorders, being triggering of unconscious defense mechanisms by unresolved conflicts.

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character neurosis  a type of high-level personality disorder with some neurotic characteristics.

hysterical neurosis  former name for a group of conditions now divided between conversion disorder and dissociative disorders.

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neu·ro·sis (n-rss)

n. pl. neu·ro·ses (-sz)

A psychological state characterized by excessive anxiety or insecurity, compensated for by various defense mechanisms and lacking evidence of neurologic or other organic disease. No longer used in psychiatric diagnosis.

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neurosis,

n a diffusely defined term referring to a mental disorder for which professional help may be needed but that is milder than a psychosis; generally, a functional disorder in which there is no gross personality disorganization but there is an inability to cope effectively with some routine frustrations, anxieties, and daily problems. Somatic conditions may be factors in the cause and may be symptoms in a neurosis; however, the use of the term to describe a dysfunction of the nervous system is obsolete. Also called
psychoneurosis.

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neurosis

pl. neuroses; an emotional disorder that can interfere with an animal's ability to lead a normal life; sometimes called psychoneurosis. Examples are weaving, crib-biting and psychogenic dermatosis.