neurosis definition | Dictionary.com

neu⋅ro⋅sis

[noo-roh-sis, nyoo-]

–noun, plural -ses [-seez]

. Psychiatry.

1.	Also called psychoneurosis. a functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without objective evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality.

2.	a relatively mild personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision and a degree of social or interpersonal maladjustment.

Origin:
1770–80; < NL; see neur-, -osis

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To neurosis

neu·ro·sis (nŏŏ-rō'sĭs, nyŏŏ-)

n. pl. neu·ro·ses (-sēz)
Any of various mental or emotional disorders, such as hypochondria or neurasthenia, arising from no apparent organic lesion or change and involving symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, depression, and irrational fears, but without psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. No longer in scientific use.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Neurosis

Neu*ro"sis\, n.; pl. Neuroses. [NL., fr. gr. ? nerve.] (Med.) A functional nervous affection or disease, that is, a disease of the nerves without any appreciable change of nerve structure.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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neurosis [(noo-roh-sis, nyoo-roh-sis)]

A mental disorder marked by anxiety or fear. Neurosis is less severe than psychosis. (See also angst, hysteria, and phobia.)

Note: In popular usage, a “neurotic” is anyone who worries a lot.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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neurosis

1776, "functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system," coined by Scot, physician William Cullen (1710-90) from Gk. neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + Mod.L. -osis "abnormal condition." Used in a general psychological sense since 1871; clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: neu·ro·sis
Pronunciation: n(y)u-'rO-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural neu·ro·ses /-"sEz/
: a mental and emotional disorder that affects only part of the personality, is accompanied by a less distorted perception of reality than in a psychosis, does not result in disturbanceof the use of language, and is accompanied by various physical, physiological, and mental disturbances (as visceral symptoms, anxieties, or phobias)

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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neurosis neu·ro·sis (n&oobreve;-rō'sĭs, ny&oobreve;-)
n. pl. neu·ro·ses (-sēz)

Any of various mental or emotional disorders involving symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, depression, and irrational fears.
Tension or irritability of the nervous system; nervousness.

neurosis (n

-rō'sĭs) Pronunciation Key
A psychological state characterized by excessive anxiety or insecurity without evidence of neurologic or other organic disease, sometimes accompanied by defensive or immature behaviors. This term is no longer used in psychiatric diagnosis.

Search another word or see neurosis on Thesaurus | Reference

Psychosis
Symptoms & Treatment Options. Get Psychosis Information Online.

www.healthline.com/psychosis

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