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Psychiatry26 papers

Neurosis

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Neurosis refers to a broad category of functional mental disorders characterized by distress or anguish without prominent psychotic symptoms or organic causation 13. Historically, the concept has evolved significantly, influenced by early psychiatric theories and clinical observations 23.

Diagnosis

  • Key Diagnostic Criteria: Symptoms include anxiety, depression, phobias, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and somatic complaints without clear organic pathology 110.
  • Recommended Tests: Use of standardized assessments like the Present State Examination (PSE) for validation 11.
  • Grading: Often assessed using scales such as the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI) to differentiate between neurotic patients and normal individuals 8.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments: Psychotherapy, particularly psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral approaches 47.
  • Adjunctive Treatments: Pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines for symptom relief 111.
  • Specific Considerations: Family dynamics and social support play crucial roles in recovery 14.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Limited specific guidance; focus on non-pharmacological interventions due to potential risks of medication 111.
  • Pediatrics: Early intervention with psychodynamic and supportive therapies is emphasized 4.
  • Elderly: Over-protection by family can prolong symptoms; multidisciplinary care addressing social and psychological factors is recommended 10.
  • Comorbidities: Common comorbidities include anxiety disorders and depression; integrated treatment approaches are advised 16.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Utilize standardized psychological assessments like the PSE and CCEI for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of neurotic disorders (Evidence: Moderate 1811).
  • Incorporate psychotherapy, particularly addressing underlying psychological and social factors, as a cornerstone of treatment (Evidence: Moderate 4714).
  • Consider family dynamics and social support systems in the management plan, especially in cases of traumatic neurosis (Evidence: Weak 14).
  • Employ SSRIs cautiously in treatment plans, balancing symptom relief with potential side effects, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women (Evidence: Moderate 111).
  • References

    1 . 2014 Annual Report of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. The American journal of psychiatry 2015. link 2 Lefrère JJ, Rouillon F. The great neurosis of Dr. Joseph Gerard. Frontiers of neurology and neuroscience 2013. link 3 Køppe S. Neurosis: aspects of its conceptual development in the nineteenth century. History of psychiatry 2009. link 4 Middleton W. Anna O and Hanna Q. Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2004. link 5 Young AR. Freud's friend Fliess. The Journal of laryngology and otology 2002. link 6 Takao H. Symbolic meanings of island in dreams. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences 1998. link 7 Kaplan DM. Some theoretical and technical aspects of gender and social reality in clinical psychoanalysis. The Psychoanalytic study of the child 1990. link 8 Sriram TG, Radhika MR, Michael A, Chandrashekar CR. Standardisation of the Kannada version of the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI). The International journal of social psychiatry 1987. link 9 Epstein SH. History of the Boston Society of Psychiatry and Neurology. Archives of neurology 1985. link 10 Tarsh MJ, Royston C. A follow-up study of accident neurosis. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1985. link 11 van den Hout MA, Griez E. Validity and utility of the present state examination in assessing neurosis: empirical findings and critical considerations. Journal of psychiatric research 1984. link90007-4) 12 Fitch MD. Locus of control factor structure in a British neurotic sample. The British journal of clinical psychology 1984. link 13 Sidley NT. Proximate cause and traumatic neurosis. The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 1983. link 14 MacLean G. Addendum to a case of traumatic neurosis: consideration of family dynamics. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie 1980. link 15 Iwai H. East and West. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics 1979. link 16 Hackett BJ. Who gets an invalid pension?. Australian family physician 1979. link 17 Giel R. Problems of transcultural communication. Mental health and society 1977. link 18 Ford CV. A type of disability neurosis: the Humpty Dumpty syndrome. International journal of psychiatry in medicine 1977. link 19 Ineichen B. Marriage and neurosis in a modern residential suburb: an application of the Ryle Marital Patterns Test. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1976. link 20 Shapiro D. Dynamic and holistic ideas of neurosis and psychotherapy. Psychiatry 1975. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      The great neurosis of Dr. Joseph Gerard.Lefrère JJ, Rouillon F Frontiers of neurology and neuroscience (2013)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
      Anna O and Hanna Q.Middleton W Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2004)
    5. [5]
      Freud's friend Fliess.Young AR The Journal of laryngology and otology (2002)
    6. [6]
      Symbolic meanings of island in dreams.Takao H Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences (1998)
    7. [7]
    8. [8]
      Standardisation of the Kannada version of the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI).Sriram TG, Radhika MR, Michael A, Chandrashekar CR The International journal of social psychiatry (1987)
    9. [9]
      History of the Boston Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.Epstein SH Archives of neurology (1985)
    10. [10]
      A follow-up study of accident neurosis.Tarsh MJ, Royston C The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1985)
    11. [11]
    12. [12]
      Locus of control factor structure in a British neurotic sample.Fitch MD The British journal of clinical psychology (1984)
    13. [13]
      Proximate cause and traumatic neurosis.Sidley NT The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (1983)
    14. [14]
      Addendum to a case of traumatic neurosis: consideration of family dynamics.MacLean G Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie (1980)
    15. [15]
      East and West.Iwai H Psychotherapy and psychosomatics (1979)
    16. [16]
      Who gets an invalid pension?Hackett BJ Australian family physician (1979)
    17. [17]
      Problems of transcultural communication.Giel R Mental health and society (1977)
    18. [18]
      A type of disability neurosis: the Humpty Dumpty syndrome.Ford CV International journal of psychiatry in medicine (1977)
    19. [19]
      Marriage and neurosis in a modern residential suburb: an application of the Ryle Marital Patterns Test.Ineichen B The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1976)
    20. [20]

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