How can you know if you are anxious or if you are neurotic? What is the difference?

Question

One friend told me I'm neurotic sometimes, and then he said that I'm also anxious. I just ended my marriage, been with the same guy for 10 yrs, and I have a baby girl 4 yrs old. How can I tell if I'm neurotic? I have no clue on what that really means.

Answer 1

If you're anxious you feel full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried. This is very common, everyone feels this way from time to time, it can happen when you're driving and you are about to be in or witness an accident, for example.

As an illness, neurosis represents a variety of psychiatric conditions in which emotional distress or unconscious conflict is expressed through various physical, physiological, and mental disturbances, which may include physical symptoms (e.g., hysteria). The definitive symptom is anxieties. Neurotic tendencies are common and may manifest themselves as depression, acute or chronic anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, phobias, and even personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. It has perhaps been most simply defined as a "poor ability to adapt to one's environment, an inability to change one's life patterns, and the inability to develop a richer, more complex, more satisfying personality." [1] Neurosis should not be mistaken for psychosis, which refers to more severe disorders.

The term connotes an actual disorder or disease, but under its general definition, neurosis is a normal human experience, part of the human condition. Most people are affected by neurosis in some form. A psychological problem develops when neuroses begin to interfere with, but not significantly impair, normal functioning, and thus cause the individual anxiety. Frequently, the coping mechanisms enlisted to help "ward off" the anxiety only exacerbate the situation, causing more distress. It has even been defined in terms of this coping strategy, as a "symbolic behavior in defense against excessive psychobiologic pain [which] is self-perpetuating because symbolic satisfactions cannot fulfill real needs." [2]

According to psychoanalytic theory, neuroses may be rooted in ego defense mechanisms, but the two concepts are not synonymous. Defense mechanisms are a normal way of developing and maintaining a consistent sense of self (i.e., an ego), while only those thought and behavior patterns that produce difficulties in living should be termed neuroses.

There are many different specific forms of neuroses: pyromania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety neurosis, hysteria (in which anxiety may be discharged through a physical symptom), and an endless variety of phobias. According to Dr. George Boeree, effects of neurosis can involve:

...anxiety, sadness or depression, anger, irritability, mental confusion, low sense of self-worth, etc., behavioral symptoms such as phobic avoidance, vigilance, impulsive and compulsive acts, lethargy, etc., cognitive problems such as unpleasant or disturbing thoughts, repetition of thoughts and obsession, habitual fantasizing, negativity and cynicism, etc. Interpersonally, neurosis involves dependency, aggressiveness, perfectionism, schizoid isolation, socio-culturally inappropriate behaviors, etc. [3]

As you can see, there is a big difference, and you will know which describes you best. Hopefully these people were just using these terms in a slang fashion, and really don't mean what they are saying, because they really don't know the meanings of the words they are using.

Have a cup of tea and tell them to sod off : )

Answer 2

The classical syndrome of generalised anxiety disorder involves both psychological and somatic symptoms (Rapee, 1991). Psychological symptoms include free-floating anxiety (ie anxiety not attached to any particular object or event) and a fearful preoccupation with the future. Somatic symptoms include tachycardia, palpitations, essential tremor, muscular tension, hypertension, dizziness, sweating, hyperventilation, and epigastric discomfort. Anxiety is often a presenting symptom of depressive illness, and it is sometimes difficult to disentangle the two.
Neurotic disorders are a collection of psychiatric disorders without psychotic symptoms and lacking the intense psychopathology of, say, hypomania or major depression. Having said this, neurotic disorders are a major source of suffering to individuals, their families and to society. The cost of treating alll neurotic disorders would be substantial, but the cost of non-treatment to society (in terms of lost production and lost efficiency) is probably greater. According to Croft-Jeffreys & Wilkinson (1989) the estimated cost to the UK of neurotic illness in 1985 was œ 373,000,000. A decade later the sum must exceed half a billion pounds a year. After all, over a third of sickness certificates are for psychiatric illness, much of this being neurotic, (Jenkins, 1985). The persistent nature of anxiety disorder over time ,with its childhood antecedents and often recurrent prognosis, means that it may dominate sufferer's lives, (Angst & Vollrath, 1991). Only chronic heart disease produces more disability.
I think this information will help you. In my opinion, what you have is anxiety, which is pretty normal after a break up. Good luck and God bless u.

Answer 3

Anxious means concerned or worried. EVERYBODY is anxious, my friend, to a degree.

Neurotic means that you do certain things to compensate for a need you have. For example, a person who doesn't get enough love and affection might overeat, substituting the satisfaction of food for the satisfaction of love. That's neurotic. You're probably not neurotic. This person probably was using the word, not understanding what it meant.

Answer 4

From what you've explained, it makes sense that you would have some anxiety! You're really going through a lot right now!

Anxiety is a neurosis - a milder form of psychological upheaval. And everyone has anxiety to one degree or another, especially in situations like you're going through right now.

Regardless of the label you slap on it, the important thing is that you get yourself to a place of feeling safe and happy again. Spend time with friends and family who love you, skip heavy news stories and depressing films in favor of funny movies, do things that you love and that are soothing for you, find resources that can help you so you're not so stressed and get into a job you really enjoy. Maybe even find hobbies that you can do to help you feel better.

You'll get through this tough time. You may even talk with others who have been down this road before you to ask their advice and help. You're not alone and there is a LOT of help out there for anxiety.

If it's getting to a place where it's really causing you troubles, speak with your doctor to get some ideas on how to treat it. There's biofeedback, meditation, yoga, therapy, meds...

Answer 5

Hi, well " I just ended my marriage" you have done a big change, thats enough, no need label you a neurotic.

Answer 6

It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. But definitively,
anxiety speaks of being nervous while neurosis addresses a chronic worrier with assorted personality disorders. The words themselves are often used for both. You don't need to label yourself though unless it helps you think. @8-)

Answer 7

Although you should be wary of online tests, the one below is legitimate (i.e., based on published research). It will give you your neuroticism score.

http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/

And as others have implied, anxiety is the chief component of neuroticism. Neuroticism is just a little broader, involving a range of negative emotions like depression, hostility, and even impulsivity.

Answer 8

considering neurosis the question is does it affect your living routine,
everybody permanently goes through it, from one to another form