Neurosis

Generality

Neurosis is a set of disorders determined by psychic conflicts, which cause a severe state of anxiety.

This phenomenon is expressed with a multiplicity of psychological, autonomic (related to involuntary functions of the body managed by the nervous system) and behavioral symptoms, which are essentially always examples of uncontrolled and abnormal emotional reactions.
At the base of the neuroses, there are variable and multiple reasons, all attributable to the existence of intrapsychic conflicts between desires and impulses (mostly unconscious) existing in the person or present between him and his environment. repressed threaten to enter consciousness, the human mind defends itself by generating anxiety, through the use of processes such as repression, denial or reactive training. Often, symptoms arise when a previously used defense mechanism stops be effective for various reasons.In any case, the neurosis does not depend on organic causes and the subject's judgment of reality and the organization of the personality remain intact.
Usually, the disorder manifests itself with feelings of inadequacy, excessive worry, dissatisfaction, and behavioral disturbances. During an episode of neurosis, the patient is no longer able to control his feelings, but is dominated by them. This causes significant suffering and severe discomfort in the subject.
Diagnosis is based on medical history, physical examination and interview with the patient to assess the clinical condition and mental status. Treatment generally includes psychotherapy, drug therapy, or both.

Causes

Neurosis is a condition of suffering and altered psychic functioning, inherent in numerous activities or events, which has no organic substratum.
This problem recognizes a "psychological origin and, according to classical psychoanalytic theory, would express a conflict that derives from existential events, from traumatic experiences and from the difficulty of adaptation (in relation to the inner models of behavior and the discomforts in the relationship with the" environment) , which nevertheless continue to act on a subconscious level.
In this sense, neurosis constitutes a compromise between an unconscious desire and the need to implement defense mechanisms against these same instinctive tendencies (drives) considered unacceptable and "dangerous". In the neurotic subject, the "overload" of these defensive processes directed inside the mind can cause psychological difficulty, associated with a very intense and sometimes even chronic anxiety.
The use of mechanisms, such as removal or rationalization, to try to keep the problem under control and resolve conflict situations, are, in fact, solutions that turn into neurotic symptoms, that is expressions that replace an impulse which threatens to become conscious.
Through these manifestations the neurotic subject would find a partial and indirect satisfaction of his desires. When anxiety is directed, however, on a specific object or situation, a phobia can develop.