What Does Being Neurotic Exactly Mean?

We've all heard expressions such as "she's being neurotic," and it usually refers to someone we may consider to be a bit high strung or having anxiety, anger, or depression issues. What that means is they have a condition that derives from a medical condition neurosis, which is more common they we may think.

Many times we consider certain behaviors of our co-workers, significant others,friends, or family members to be somewhat off kilter or unsettling and we may wonder why they act the way they do. The term neurosis can actually include many different conditions. The term was originally described as a disorder of sense and motion. It usually does not refer to disorders that include delusions or severe mental confusion. Another term for it now is social phobia. Examples include obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and sadness. A century ago some of these conditions were also described as "hysteria".

All of these disorders can be very difficult to live with. Some of them might be treated with therapy and medications. Many times the therapy focuses on what triggers certain types of behaviors and how to cope with them in a more healthy manner. It can take some people years to recover from a social phobia disorder. Most triggers involve some type of extreme stress, usually a life changing event such as a death, divorce, or any type of large upheaval or change.

Having a neurotic disorder can be a type of ego defense mechanism. It can cause irritability and a low sense of self worth. Those issues can be extremely difficult to live with. If you or a family member, friend, or co-worker may be suffering from some type of neuroses, do your best to get them to seek treatment. Many times people don't understand their behaviors and don't know how to change them. Some people may deny they have a problem. That is normal, as most of us don't want to be labeled as having some type of mental or emotional issue that can be construed as being weak or unstable. However, making that first step and getting a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment will be more helpful than pretending something isn't wrong and letting affect your life and the lives of others around you.