neurosis

[noo-roh-sis, nyoo-] /nʊˈroʊ sɪs, nyʊ-/

noun, plural neuroses

[noo-roh-seez, nyoo-] /nʊˈroʊ siz, nyʊ-/ (Show IPA). Psychiatry.

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.

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

Origin

1770-80; < New Latin; see neur-, -osis

Examples from the web for neurosis

He's both self-absorbed and self-deprecating, with bouts of neurosis flaring up in strangely humorous ways.
You arn't the last word in neurosis, though.
He also added that he diagnosed the case as hysteria, though none of the usual symptoms of the neurosis could be found.
My neurosis is a common one.
Others see something of a neurosis at work.
Freud saw religion as a mere neurosis.
Freude said when we can identify the origin of our neurosis, it goes away.
It turned out that his wife has a similar neurosis.
We're not sure if the subject is depression, stress or plain old neurosis.
Narcissism seems to be the inescapable neurosis of our widely interconnected culture of media today.

British Dictionary definitions for neurosis

neurosis

/njʊˈrəʊsɪs/

noun (pl) -ses (-siːz)

a relatively mild mental disorder, characterized by symptoms such as hysteria, anxiety, depression, or obsessive behaviour Also called psychoneurosis

Word Origin and History for neurosis

1776, "functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system," coined by Scottish physician William Cullen (1710-1790) from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + Modern Latin -osis "abnormal condition." Used in a general psychological sense since 1871; clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923.

neurosis in Medicine

neurosis neu·ro·sis (nu-rō'sĭs, nyu-)
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 in Science

neurosis

(n-rō'sĭs)
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.

neurosis in Culture

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.