What are neuroses and their symptoms. What is neurosis: symptoms and manifestations of pathological reactions. Neurotic character: strategies leading to neurosis

Neurosis is a whole group of reversible functional neuropsychiatric disorders that have specific manifestations. Symptoms of this mental disorder are quite common in the adult population of our planet, especially among women, and often appear in children during puberty. In adolescence, the disorder most often resolves on its own and does not entail serious consequences. According to statistics, one third of all mankind has signs of neurosis. However, this ailment does not pose a great danger to a person, since with proper treatment it can be eliminated forever.

One third of all mankind has signs of neurosis

Until now, there are disputes about the cause of the emergence and development of neuroses. These include constant stress and the frantic pace of life of a city dweller, psychophysiological disorders and problems in the regulation of the autonomic system of the body. The human psyche cannot withstand long-term exposure to even relatively weak stimuli that keep consciousness in constant tension. Genetic predisposition, peculiar character traits also contribute: nervousness, increased anxiety or suspiciousness. Lack of sleep, overwork and exhaustion of the body increase the risk of developing neurosis.

The symptoms and signs of neurosis in men and women have certain differences, but in any case they have a vegetative and psychogenic nature of a long course, accompanied by a decrease in the productivity of mental and physical activity, the appearance of hysteria, asthenia and obsessive thoughts. The main difference between this disorder and psychoses is that a person is aware of his position and is able to control himself almost always.

Psychiatrists understand neurosis as a disorder that is not associated with a violation of the integrity of the structure of the psyche, and does not attribute it to diseases of the nervous system. That is, this is a person who does not have personality disorders, and simply reacts exaggeratedly to situations familiar to every person. However, in our time, this diagnosis is made to drug addicts, perverts and the like.

Reasons for the development of neurosis in adults:

• Chronic stress due to overwork, conflicts with a partner, problems in the family,
• Deep emotional experiences against the background of any disease,
• Genetic predisposition to anxiety and hereditary hypersensitivity,
• Sleep disturbance, insufficient rest or improper diet,
• Bad habits (alcoholism, drugs),
• Physical exhaustion of the body
• The inability to complete the task or solve the task,
• Functional insufficiency of the body,
• Overloading the human brain with information,
• Isolation of a person from society,
• frustration
• Too strong a need for public recognition,
• Thirst for power
• Endless striving for the ideal, perfectionism,
• Lack of mechanisms for adapting to bright situations,
• Violation of the work of neurotransmitter systems.

There is a theory that claims that neurosis develops when two factors collide: an irritant that is excessive for a person in terms of the strength of the stimulus and the temperament of the subject himself. That is, the problem is in the body's perception of the stimulus and the speed of response to it.

It is not entirely correct to talk about heredity in this situation. The development of neurosis is influenced by the environment in which a person grew up and was brought up. The child, looking at parents who are prone to hysteria, adopts their behavior and exposes his own nervous system to trauma.

The cause of neurosis can be both negative and positive strong emotions.

Oddly enough, too strong positive emotions can also cause neurosis.

Classification and types of neuroses

Neurosis is a very broad group of disorders. There are many ways to systematize them, and all classifications differ from each other. For example, in adults, groups are distinguished:

• neuroses obsessive states . A person acquires the habit of performing certain actions in a certain way. If he violates his "custom", then he is seized by a very strong anxiety. Often, such behavior complicates the life of the patient and he is well aware of this, but he cannot cope with his problem on his own.
• Hysterical neuroses. There are disturbances in the perception of information by a person (deafness), amnesia, loss of consciousness, convulsions and similar ailments, while physically he remains absolutely healthy.
• Phobias that occur in certain situations. A person may experience fear at the sight of some animal, be afraid of heights, darkness or the sight of blood.
• causeless phobias. They often manifest as unreasonable fear for oneself or loved ones.
• neurasthenia. They develop as a result of overwork of the nervous system. A malfunction occurs internal organs: of cardio-vascular system, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract and so on. Sometimes a person, having no health problems, is sure that he is sick or will soon get sick, and it is impossible to convince him.
• Reactive neuroses. They are the body's response to stressful situations. The nature and duration of their course depends on the person himself and the complexity of the exciting situation. He is either tormented by painful memories, or partial amnesia occurs, which is a protective mechanism of the psyche. Also, reactive neuroses can develop during some events that radically change life. The birth of a child, for example, or the death of a loved one.

In medicine, there are 4 main types of neuroses:

• Depressive- slow intellectual development together with a bad mood.
• Hysterical- an irrational assessment of one's own characteristics due to a subjective feeling of lack of attention.
• Neurasthenia- Emotional instability, fatigue and depression.
• alarming- excessive anxiety and unreasonable fear.

Domestic neurology speaks of 3 types of neuroses:

• Neurasthenia;
• conversion disorder;
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Neurasthenia is a type of neurosis

Manifestations and types of neurosis in women and men have certain differences. In this regard, representatives of beautiful polo distinguish 3 forms of this disorder:

• Hypersthenic- mild, initial stage of neurosis, characterized by increased excitability and irritability. Girls in this state feel uncomfortable in society, they are not disposed to talk, they are uncomfortable with any noise and bright light. In the family, such people are unrestrained and emotionally unstable. Due to sleep disturbances, they get up in the morning broken and tired.
• Irritable- increased excitability and reduced endurance entail aggressiveness. They are annoyed and distracted by everything around, so distraction and poor self-control are added to everything else.
• hyposthenic- the most difficult stage, which is already quite difficult to cure. Irritation arises for no reason, mixed with fatigue and depression. A woman can only think about how to normally, fully relax.

Symptoms of neurosis in adults

General symptoms of neurosis affect the functioning of the whole organism:

• Violation of the autonomic system of the body: permanent, panic attacks.
• Disorders in the work of the nervous system: tremor, headache and dizziness, unsteadiness, sleep disturbances.
• Disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system: increase and decrease in blood pressure, its jumps, tachycardia, Raynaud's syndrome.
• Violations at work respiratory system: suffocation, imaginary loss of the ability to breathe automatically, lump in the throat, hiccups, yawning.
• Violations at work digestive system: decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, flatulence, dry mouth, diarrhea.
• Violations in the genitourinary system: itching in the groin, pain, cystalgia, enuresis, decreased libido.
• Violations in the work of thermoregulation: chills, increased sweating.
• Violation of the skin.
• Asthenia, increased anxiety, causeless fears and phobias, obsessions, compulsions, memory impairment, absent-mindedness, mental retardation.
• Emotional instability, lack of initiative and lethargy of a person, irritability, fussiness, suspiciousness and resentment, low self-esteem.
• Focus on negative memories.
• Disorientation in the area.

With neurosis, a person becomes drowsy, lethargic, practically incapable of productive work.

• Signs of climacteric neurosis, which develops in both men and women, are increased emotional sensitivity and irritability, decreased stamina, sleep disturbances, and general problems with the functioning of internal organs, starting in the period from 45 to 55 years.
• Due to poor adaptation to constantly changing environmental conditions, low self-esteem, a high level of perfectionism, depressive neurosis can occur. Its signs may be:
  • Inhibition of movements and general activity,
  • Constantly bad mood
  • Reducing the rate of reaction.

The patient loses the ability to enjoy life, loads himself with thoughts negative character. The physical condition worsens due to problems with sleep: it becomes increasingly difficult to fall asleep, during the night a person may wake up repeatedly and because of this he gets up in the morning with the feeling that he has not rested. However, for them the characters do not think of a bleak future. On the contrary, such people hope for the best. If the neurosis has passed into a severe form of its manifestation, then another symptom is added - a tendency to causeless crying.

Depressive neurosis often causes family conflicts.

A person suffering from a depressive neurosis seeks salvation in work, and contact with his family becomes unbearable for him.

• Obsessional neurosis:
  • intrusive thoughts,
  • increased sweating,
  • Tachycardia,
  • Lethargy and bad mood
  • increased anxiety,
  • Chills.
• On the basis of nervous and physical exhaustion of the body, neurasthenia develops in adults. In men, it manifests itself as:
  • increased excitability,
  • aggression,
  • mood instability,
  • decrease in endurance
  • sleep disorders,
  • incontinence and following these signs of disturbances in the work of the autonomic system of the body.

All these symptoms pass as quickly as they appear. In people suffering from neurasthenia, blood pressure rises in the event of any, even minor, physical or emotional stress, sweating increases, and the arms and legs begin to stiffen. It is difficult for neurotics to adapt to a sharp change in temperature, sound volume, light brightness. These people often get headaches.

They are distinguished by restlessness, irascibility, emotional instability, tearfulness and resentment, waiting for them is torture. Neurotic people are very easy to upset and offend, but they are not vindictive and quickly calm down. Due to their absent-mindedness, people suffering from neurasthenia may forget what they have just been told.

• Hypochondriacal neurosis, which is more characteristic of males, manifests itself in adults in violations of the autonomic system of the body, the appearance of strong, unreasonable fear, and disorders in the sexual aspect.
• Due to disturbances in the functioning of the genital organs, hysterical neurosis occurs, most often found in women. Signs of this disorder include:
  • Tremor,
  • Numbness and weakness in arms and legs
  • speech disorders,
  • mood instability,
  • Attempts to get attention.

Diagnosis of neuroses

In order to make this diagnosis, it is necessary to collect the patient's medical history, interview his family, learn about personality traits person, conduct certain tests, pathopsychological examination.

A psychotherapist can help diagnose neurosis

In adults, the symptoms of neurosis are quite obvious, so that assumptions about the diagnosis can be made already from the person's feedback about his well-being.

Treatment of neuroses

Although neuroses of mild severity in adults do not seem to many to be a problem that requires the intervention of a doctor, it is still better to contact a professional with a similar question in order to determine how and how to treat the ailment that has arisen.

There are a huge number of ways to treat neuroses and they are all quite individual. This is influenced by individual characteristics, age, gender of the patient and the form of the disorder itself. In some cases, it is enough to eliminate the irritant factor or change your lifestyle. In adults, the nervous system is not as strong as in children, so some of them require the intervention of a specialist.

So what kind of doctor will help cure neurosis? This is done either by a psychologist or a psychotherapist. Accordingly, the main treatment tool is psychotherapy (and hypnotherapy), most often complex. The patient needs to learn to objectively look at the world around him, to realize his inadequacy in some matters.

To achieve a more stable result, the doctor may prescribe some physiotherapeutic methods to the patient or a short rest in a sanatorium, as well as protect himself from great physical and emotional stress. It is necessary to correctly draw up a regime of work and rest.

Sometimes, to relieve neurosis, it is enough to relax and have a good rest.

If medication is needed for treatment, the doctor prescribes antidepressants, tranquilizers, vitamins and minerals, and sedatives. These drugs are necessary in order to restore the functioning of the structures in the brain that are responsible for the sympathetic and parasympathetic processes of the body.

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article, we will consider with you such a pathological condition of a person as neurosis, as well as its causes, symptoms, types, diagnosis, treatment with traditional and folk remedies and prevention of neurosis. We also invite you to participate in the discussion given state. So…

What is a neurosis?

Neurosis (neurotic disorder, psychoneurosis)- this is a destructive state caused by prolonged stressful situations that cause exhaustion of the nervous system, accompanied by a change in the psycho-emotional state, decreased performance, obsessive thoughts, hysteria and asthenic manifestations.

The term "neurosis" was coined by the Scottish physician William Cullen in the twentieth century. Since that time, this term has undergone various interpretations and has not received an unambiguous interpretation until today.

Neurosis is the most common mental illness in the world. According to WHO, over the past 70 years, the number of people suffering from neurosis has increased 25 times. According to unofficial data, much more, because not all people seek medical help.

Of course, wars, impoverishment of the population various countries, media that deliver bad news to almost anywhere in the world, an increase in the number of various diseases, an increase in the number natural Disasters, terrorist acts are not in vain. People from year to year are more and more susceptible, which as a result lead to neurosis.

There are a lot of reasons for neurosis, from an unforeseen tragic situation to daily fatigue and lack of sleep. Let's take a closer look:

- constant mental or physical overload (chronic fatigue, lack of healthy sleep and work-rest regimen);

emotional experiences (unfavorable family situation, dissatisfaction with life or work that is associated with constant voltage);

- indecisiveness (impossibility to solve problems, lack of independence in decision-making and perseverance in overcoming difficulties);

- vulnerability (emotional instability, uncertainty);

- various diseases, injuries;

- bad habits (addiction to alcohol, smoking and drugs).

Symptoms of neurosis

Among the main signs of neurosis are:

• causeless emotional stress;
• increased fatigue;
• or a constant desire to sleep;
• isolation and obsession;
• lack of appetite or overeating;
• weakening of memory;
• (long and suddenly appearing);
• and fainting;
• darkening in the eyes;
• disorientation;
• pain in the heart, abdomen, in and;
• hand trembling;
• frequent urination;
• excessive sweating (due to fear and nervousness);
• decrease in potency;
• overestimated or underestimated self-esteem;
• uncertainty and inconsistency;
• wrong prioritization.

With neurosis, a person becomes irritable over trifles, unpredictable and sensitive to himself.

Types of neuroses

The main forms of neurotic disorders:

Obsessional neurosis. This type of neurosis is formed according to the mechanism of a conditioned reflex and is manifested by involuntary fears, doubts, frightening memories, aggravating thoughts, anxiety, fears, repetitive actions that reduce anxiety.

The cause of this type of neurosis is the conflict between the desires (needs or aspirations) of a person and the inability to fulfill them. This kind of neurosis can also happen when, for example, a person once forgot to do important thing(close the door, turn on the water tap, turn off the iron, etc.) or suffered a fright. And after that, he checks 100 times whether the iron is turned off, and, leaving the house all day, worries and doubts ...

hysterical neurosis. Hysteria occurs in people of a certain type, who are characterized by such signs as: selfishness, demonstrative behavior, frequent mood swings, increased emotionality, very high suggestibility and autosuggestibility. Hysterical neurosis can start to manipulate other people, but, in the end, he himself suffers from his own hysteria, which is expressed in the following symptoms: emotional reactions (tears, screams, laughter, etc.), forgetfulness, excessive sweating, convulsions, impotence, loss of sensation, blindness, deafness, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, etc.

Also, people with this form of neurosis may threaten to commit suicide and, not infrequently, actually try to do it.

Neurasthenia. It is the most common form of neurosis. It is also called fatigue syndrome. It occurs as a result of exhaustion of the nervous system during prolonged mental or physical overload (work that constantly keeps you in suspense, lack of sleep, lack of rest, stressful situations, conflicts, tragedies).

Manifested by uncontrolled excessive irritability, increased fatigue, lethargy and depression, impaired concentration, sweating, heart rhythm disturbances, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders, impotence.

There are many other forms of neurosis. Some of them occur under certain conditions and at a certain age, others under the influence of a traumatic situation:

• Informational;
• School;
• Traumatic;
• Postpartum;
• Social;
• hypochondriacal;
• Cardiophobic;
• Motor;
• Fright neurosis;
• Expectation neurosis;
• Neuroses of internal organs, etc.

Diagnosis of neurosis

To diagnose neurosis, the doctor examines the patient and interviews, analyzes complaints and studies the anamnesis. Further, the presence of organic diseases of the nervous system is excluded.

To diagnose a neurosis, various special questionnaires and techniques can be used (for example, color selection, pictures, etc.).

The tactics of treating neurosis depends on the form of neurosis, severity, age and gender of the patient. For some, it is enough to remove the annoying factor, change their lifestyle, or just go on vacation to recover.

The main method of treatment of neurosis is psychotherapy. But, to strengthen the nervous system, the use of physiotherapeutic methods and spa treatment can be prescribed.

It is very important to normalize the regime of work and rest; if possible, physical and psycho-emotional overstrain should be avoided.

Also for the treatment of neurosis and accelerated recovery from this disease, M.I. Pevzner developed a special diet -. This diet is also prescribed for other disorders of the nervous system.

Remedies for neurosis

Patients with neurosis are often prescribed restorative drugs (complexes with vitamins, and are especially needed).

If neurosis is caused by overwork, then drugs are additionally prescribed that improve metabolism and blood supply in the brain.

With neurasthenia and depressive neurosis, adaptogens are prescribed - preparations based on, Rhodiola rosea,.

Sometimes, I can be assigned:

Antidepressants: tricyclic ("Melipramine", "Saroten", "Triptizol"), vegetable ("Gelarium", "Deprim"), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ("Zoloft", "Prozac", "Seroxat", "Cipramil").

Antidepressants are used for all types of neurosis, but only on the recommendation of a doctor, because. each of them is a narrowly focused remedy, and is also not compatible with other drugs or food.

Tranquilizers:"Adaptol", "Gidazepam", "Phenazepam". They are used for hysterical neurosis, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Important! Antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed only by a doctor. These remedies for neurosis should not be taken by children. They also have many contraindications and side effects.

Important! Before using folk remedies for the treatment of neurosis, be sure to consult your doctor!

Nuts. Mix nuts with and eat this mixture.

Grape juice. With overwork and fatigue, take 2 tbsp every 2 hours. spoons of fresh grape juice. It is both tasty and effective.

Milk with yolk. For 1 glass of hot milk, add 1 yolk (homemade egg) and sugar to taste. Drink hot.

Valerian. 1 st. Pour a spoonful of chopped root into a thermos and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Strain in the morning and drink 1-2 tbsp several times a day. spoons.

Mint. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tbsp. spoon . Let it brew for 40 minutes and strain. Drink a cup of warm tea in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before going to bed.

Mint and Melissa. Take 50 g of leaves and mint. 2 tbsp. spoons of the mixture, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, cover and let it brew for 30 minutes. Strain, add honey (to taste) and drink throughout the day in small portions.

Peony tincture. You can buy at the pharmacy. Take in the morning 30-40 drops (1 teaspoon) 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 30 days, then a break of 10 days is necessary, and can be repeated (if necessary).

Black radish. In the evening, cut out the middle of the radish and fill it with honey. Drink the resulting juice in the morning.

Bath with valerian. Take 60 grams of root and boil for 15 minutes, leave to infuse for 1 hour, strain and pour into the bathroom with hot water. Take 15 minutes.

Massage. With a relaxing massage, blood circulation improves, the body gets relaxation and rest.

Prevention of neurosis

To prevent neurosis, follow these recommendations:

- observe the regime of work and rest (do not overwork, take a vacation, rest on weekends);

- eat right (eat more vegetables and fruits, dairy products, give preference to boiled or baked dishes, rather than fried ones);

- take vitamins, especially in the winter-spring period;

- give up bad habits(smoking, alcohol and drug use);

Video about neurosis

Neuroses are functional disorders of higher nervous activity of psychogenic origin. The clinic of neuroses is very diverse and may include somatic neurotic disorders, vegetative disorders, various phobias, dysthymia, obsessions, compulsions, emotional-mnestic problems.

Neurosis refers to a group of diseases that have a protracted course of the course. This disease affects people who are characterized by constant overwork, lack of sleep, worries, grief, etc.

What is a neurosis?

Neurosis is a set of psychogenic, functional reversible disorders that tend to have a long course. The clinical picture of neurosis is characterized by obsessive, asthenic or hysterical manifestations, as well as a temporary weakening of physical and mental performance. This disorder is also called psychoneurosis or neurotic disorder.

Neuroses in adults are characterized by a reversible and not very severe course, which distinguishes them, in particular, from psychoses. According to statistics, up to 20% of the adult population suffers from various neurotic disorders. The percentage may differ in different social groups.

The main mechanism of development is a disorder of brain activity, which normally provides human adaptation. As a result, both somatic and mental disorders occur.

The term neurosis has been introduced into medical terminology since 1776 by a doctor from Scotland, William Cullen.

Causes

Neuroses and neurotic states are considered a multifactorial pathology. Leads to their occurrence a large number of causes that act together and trigger a large complex of pathogenetic reactions leading to the pathology of the central and peripheral nervous system.

The cause of neurosis is the action of a traumatic factor or a psychotraumatic situation.

1. In the first case we are talking about a short-term, but strong negative impact on a person, for example, the death of a loved one.
2. In the second case, we are talking about a long-term, chronic impact of a negative factor, for example, a family and domestic conflict situation. Speaking about the causes of neurosis, it is stressful situations and, above all, family conflicts that are of great importance.

To date, there are:

• psychological factors in the development of neuroses, which are understood as the features and conditions for the development of the individual, as well as education, the level of claims and relationships with society;
• biological factors, which are understood as functional insufficiency of certain neurophysiological, as well as neurotransmitter systems, making the sick susceptible to psychogenic influences

Equally often in all categories of patients, regardless of their place of residence, psychoneurosis occurs due to such tragic events, How:

• death or loss of a loved one;
• serious illness in relatives or in the patient himself;
• divorce or separation from a loved one;
• dismissal from work, bankruptcy, business collapse and so on.

It is not entirely correct to talk about heredity in this situation. The development of neurosis is influenced by the environment in which a person grew up and was brought up. The child, looking at parents who are prone to hysteria, adopts their behavior and exposes his own nervous system to trauma.

According to the American Psychiatric Association frequency of occurrence of neuroses in men it ranges from 5 to 80 cases per 1000 of the population, while in women - from 4 to 160.

Variety of neuroses

Neuroses is a group of diseases that occur in a person due to the impact of mental trauma. As a rule, they are accompanied by a deterioration in a person's well-being, mood swings and manifestations of somato-vegetative manifestations.

Neurasthenia

(nervous weakness or fatigue syndrome) is the most common form of neuroses. Occurs with prolonged nervous strain, chronic stress and other similar conditions that cause overwork and "breakdown" of the protective mechanisms of the nervous system.

Neurasthenia is characterized by the following symptoms:

• increased irritability;
• high excitability;
• fast fatigue;
• loss of the ability to self-control and self-control;
• tearfulness and resentment;
• distraction, inability to concentrate;
• decreased ability to prolonged mental stress;
• loss of habitual physical endurance;
• severe sleep disturbances;
• loss of appetite;
• apathy and indifference to what is happening.

Hysterical neurosis

Vegetative manifestations of hysteria are manifested in the form of spasms, persistent nausea, vomiting, fainting. Motor disorders are characteristic - trembling, tremor in the limbs, blepharospasm. Sensory disorders are expressed by sensory disturbances in various parts of the body, pain sensations, hysterical deafness and blindness may develop.

Patients seek attention relatives and doctors to their condition, they have extremely unstable emotions, their mood changes dramatically, they easily move from sobbing to wild laughter.

There is a specific type of patient with a tendency to hysterical neurosis:

• impressionable and sensitive;
• Self-suggested and suggestible;
• With instability of mood;
• With a tendency to attract external attention.

Hysterical neurosis must be distinguished from somatic and mental illnesses. Similar symptoms occur with tumors of the central nervous system, endocrinopathy, encephalopathy against the background of injuries.

obsessive-compulsive disorder

A disease characterized by the occurrence of obsessive ideas and thoughts. A person is overcome by fears from which he cannot get rid of. In such a state, phobias often appear in the patient (this form is also called phobic neurosis).

The symptoms of neurosis of this form are manifested as follows: a person feels fear, which manifests itself in repeated unpleasant incidents.

For example, if a patient faints on the street, then in the same place next time he will be haunted by obsessive fear. Over time, a person develops a fear of death, incurable diseases, and dangerous infections.

depressive form

Depressive neurosis - develops against the background of prolonged psychogenic or neurotic depression. The disorder is characterized by a deterioration in the quality of sleep, a loss of the ability to rejoice, and a bad chronic mood. The disease is accompanied by:

• cardiac arrhythmias,
• dizziness,
• tearfulness,
• hypersensitivity,
• stomach problems
• intestines
• sexual dysfunction.

Symptoms of neurosis in adults

Neurosis is characterized by mood instability, impulsive actions. Changeable mood affects any area of ​​the patient's life. It affects interpersonal relationships goal setting, self-assessment.

Patients experience memory impairment, low concentration, high fatigue. A person gets tired not only from work, but also from favorite activities. Intellectual activity becomes difficult. Due to absent-mindedness, the patient can make many mistakes, which causes new problems at work and at home.

Among the main signs of neurosis are:

• causeless emotional stress;
• increased fatigue;
• insomnia or a constant desire to sleep;
• isolation and obsession;
• lack of appetite or overeating;
• weakening of memory;
• headache (continuous and sudden onset);
• dizziness and fainting;
• darkening in the eyes;
• disorientation;
• pain in the heart, abdomen, muscles and joints;
• hand trembling;
• frequent urination;
• excessive sweating (due to fear and nervousness);
• decrease in potency;
• overestimated or underestimated self-esteem;
• uncertainty and inconsistency;
• wrong prioritization.

People suffering from neuroses often experience:

• mood instability;
• a sense of self-doubt and the correctness of the actions taken;
• overly expressed emotional reaction to small stresses (aggression, despair, etc.);
• increased resentment and vulnerability;
• tearfulness and irritability;
• suspiciousness and exaggerated self-criticism;
• frequent manifestation of unreasonable anxiety and fear;
• inconsistency of desires and a change in the value system;
• excessive fixation on the problem;
• increased mental fatigue;
• decreased ability to remember and concentrate;
• a high degree of sensitivity to sound and light stimuli, a reaction to minor temperature changes;
• sleep disorders.

Signs of neurosis in women and men

Signs of neurosis in the fair sex have their own characteristics, which are worth mentioning. First of all, women are characterized by asthenic neurosis (neurasthenia), which is caused by irritability, loss of mental and physical ability, and also leads to problems in sexual life.

For men, the following types are characteristic:

• Depressive - the symptoms of this type of neurosis are more common in men, the reasons for its appearance are the inability to realize oneself at work, the inability to adapt to sudden changes in life, both personal and social.
• Male neurasthenia. It usually occurs against the background of overstrain, both physical and nervous, most often workaholics are subject to it.

Signs of climacteric neurosis, which develops in both men and women, are increased emotional sensitivity and irritability, decreased stamina, sleep disturbances, and general problems with the functioning of internal organs, starting in the period from 45 to 55 years.

stages

Neuroses are diseases that are fundamentally reversible, functional, without organic damage to the brain. But they often take a long course. This is connected not so much with the most traumatic situation, but with the characteristics of a person’s character, his attitude to this situation, the level of adaptive capabilities of the body and the system of psychological protection.

Neurosis is divided into 3 stages, each of which has its own symptoms:

1. The initial stage is characterized by increased excitability and irritability;
2. The intermediate stage (hypersthenic) is characterized by increased nervous impulses from the peripheral nervous system;
3. The final stage (hyposthenic) is manifested by a decrease in mood, drowsiness, lethargy and apathy due to the strong severity of inhibition processes in the nervous system.

A longer course of a neurotic disorder, a change in behavioral reactions, and the appearance of an assessment of one's illness indicate the development of a neurotic state, that is, a neurosis proper. An uncontrolled neurotic state within 6 months - 2 years leads to the formation of a neurotic personality development.

Diagnostics

So what kind of doctor will help cure neurosis? This is done either by a psychologist or a psychotherapist. Accordingly, the main treatment tool is psychotherapy (and hypnotherapy), most often complex.

The patient needs to learn look at the world objectively around him, to realize his inadequacy in some matters.

Diagnosing neurosis is not an easy task, which only an experienced specialist can do. As already mentioned above, the symptoms of neurosis manifest themselves differently in both women and men. It is also necessary to take into account that each person has his own character, his own personality traits, which can be confused with signs of other disorders. That is why only a doctor should deal with the diagnosis.

The disease is diagnosed using a color technique:

• All colors take part in the technique, and a neurosis-like syndrome manifests itself when choosing and repeating purple, gray, black and brown colors.
• Hysterical neurosis is characterized by the choice of only two colors: red and purple, which indicates 99% of the patient's low self-esteem.

To identify signs of a psychopathic nature, a special test is carried out - it allows you to identify the presence of chronic fatigue, anxiety, indecision, self-doubt. People with neurosis rarely set themselves long-term goals, do not believe in success, they often have complexes about their own appearance, it is difficult for them to communicate with people.

Treatment of neuroses

There are many theories and methods of treatment of neurosis in adults. Therapy takes place in two main areas - pharmacological and psychotherapeutic. The use of pharmacological therapy is carried out only in extremely severe forms of the disease. In many cases, a qualified psychotherapy is sufficient.

In the absence of somatic pathologies, patients recommended to change lifestyle, normalize the regime of work and rest, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, eat right, give up bad habits, spend more time on fresh air and avoid nervous overload.

Medicines

Unfortunately, very few people suffering from neuroses are ready to work on themselves, to change something. Therefore, drugs are widely used. They do not solve problems, but are intended only to relieve the severity of the emotional reaction to a traumatic situation. After them, it just becomes easier on the soul - for a while. Maybe then it is worth looking at the conflict (within yourself, with others or with life) from a different angle and finally resolve it.

With the help of psychotropic drugs, tension, tremor, are eliminated. Their appointment is permissible only for a short period of time.

In neurosis, as a rule, the following groups of drugs are used:

• tranquilizers - alprazolam, phenazepam.
• antidepressants - fluoxetine, sertraline.
• sleeping pills - zopiclone, zolpidem.

Psychotherapy for neuroses

Currently, the main methods of treating all types of neuroses are psychotherapeutic techniques and hypnotherapy. During psychotherapy sessions, a person gets the opportunity to build a complete picture of his personality, to establish cause-and-effect relationships that gave impetus to the emergence of neurotic reactions.

Treatment methods for neuroses include color therapy. The right color for the brain is useful, like vitamins for the body.

Adviсe:

• To extinguish your anger, irritation - avoid red.
• At the time of the onset bad mood eliminate black, dark blue tones from the wardrobe, surround yourself with light and warm tones.
• To relieve tension, look for blue, greenish tones. Replace the wallpaper at home, choose the appropriate decor.

Folk remedies

Before using any folk remedies for neurosis, we recommend that you consult your doctor.

1. With restless sleep, general weakness, sick with neurasthenia should pour a teaspoon of verbena herb with a glass of boiling water, then leave for an hour, take in small sips throughout the day.
2. Tea with lemon balm - mix 10 g of tea leaves and grass leaves, pour 1 liter of boiling water, drink tea in the evening and before bedtime;
3. Mint. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tbsp. a spoonful of mint. Let it brew for 40 minutes and strain. Drink a cup of warm tea in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before going to bed.
4. Bath with valerian. Take 60 grams of root and boil for 15 minutes, leave to infuse for 1 hour, strain and pour into a bath of hot water. Take 15 minutes.

Forecast

The prognosis of neurosis depends on its type, stage of development and duration of the course, the timeliness and adequacy of the psychological and medical assistance provided. In most cases, therapy started on time leads, if not to a cure, then to a significant improvement in the patient's condition.

The long existence of neurosis is dangerous with irreversible personality changes and the risk of suicide.

Prevention

Despite the fact that neurosis is treatable, it is still better to prevent than to cure.

Prevention methods for adults:

• The best prevention in this case would be to normalize your emotional background as much as possible.
• Try to eliminate annoying factors or change your attitude towards them.
• Avoid overload at work, normalize the mode of work and rest.
• It's important to give yourself good rest, eat right, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, take daily walks, play sports.

- a large heterogeneous group of transient functional disorders caused by acute or chronic psychological trauma. Clinical symptoms are extremely diverse, with maladjustment, restrictive behavior, mood disorders, neurotic symptoms proper (anxiety, asthenia, phobias, obsessions) and somatovegetative disorders always observed. Self-consciousness and criticism of one's own state are completely preserved. The diagnosis is made on the basis of complaints, anamnesis of the disease and the patient's life history. Treatment - psychotherapy, drug therapy.

General information

Accurate data on the prevalence of neurotic disorders are not available. According to official statistics, 0.4-0.5% of the population suffers from neurosis, however, experts in the field of psychology and psychotherapy are critical of this figure, noting that it reflects only cases of dispensary registration in state medical institutions. Thus, patients undergoing treatment in numerous private psychological and psychotherapeutic centers remain unaccounted for. We should not forget that a significant part of patients suffering from neuroses do not turn to psychologists and psychotherapists at all, being ashamed of their "weakness" or regarding the manifestations of the disease as personality traits.

Causes of neurotic disorders

Neurosis is always based on extreme stress, due to the inability to change an unbearable situation. At the same time, the specific causes of the development of a neurotic disorder can vary significantly. In some cases, the impetus for the emergence of neurosis becomes a clear acute stressful situation (for example, breaking up an important relationship or losing a job). In others, internal tension increases slowly, imperceptibly to others, and a person seems to fall ill without apparent reason, with apparent complete or almost complete social and personal well-being.

Psychoanalysts believe that neurotic disorders arise as a result of a deep psychological conflict that prevents the satisfaction of important needs or poses an insurmountable threat to the future patient. The famous American psychologist and psychoanalyst Karen Horney considered neurosis as a contradiction between various defense mechanisms designed to protect the patient from humiliation, neglect, aggression, total control and other influences that violate the natural fundamental rights of any person.

One way or another, all researchers of neurosis agree that the disease is based on an explicit or hidden internal conflict, a contradiction between various needs, feelings, desires, and adaptive psychological mechanisms. Predisposing factors that increase the likelihood of developing neurotic disorders are considered to be certain features of the character, personality and life history of the patient.

Neurosis more often occurs in overly sensitive, emotional, impressionable patients with a rich imagination and well-developed figurative thinking, or in psychologically rigid patients who are poorly aware of their feelings and have a hard time experiencing any life changes. Great importance have unfavourable conditions upbringing: neglect, rejection and inattention to the needs of the child, excessive guardianship, connivance, the tendency of parents to create an idol from the child, contradictory upbringing, etc.

Biological factors, in particular, the individual level of neurotransmitters in the brain, have a certain influence on the development of neurotic disorders. The initially existing mild anomaly turns out to be a “point of vulnerability” and under stress, along with other factors, provokes disturbances in the integrative activity of the brain. With the development of neurosis, neurotransmitter dysfunction increases, which causes a further deterioration in the patient's condition.

Classification of neurotic disorders

The great diversity and polymorphism of the clinical manifestations of neurotic disorders complicate a clear division of neuroses into groups or types, which leads to different points of view as to which neuroses should be included in one group and which should not. Domestic medicine traditionally recognizes three types of neurosis: obsessive-compulsive disorder, hysterical neurosis and asthenic neurosis (the old name is neurasthenia), but this classification is at odds with practice. For example, it does not reflect one of the most common groups of neuroses today - anxiety disorders, identified by ICD-10 as a separate syndrome.

This discrepancy gives rise different approaches to the systematization of neuroses. When making a diagnosis in clinical practice, many specialists prefer to use a classification created taking into account the causes of development and the prevailing symptoms of the disease. In this classification, the following disorders of the neurotic level are distinguished:

• Anxiety-phobic disorders. The main symptom of the disease is a sharp increase in the level of anxiety, sometimes turning into a phobia. These disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, social phobia, and other simple and complex phobias.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. The leading symptom is obsessive thoughts and obsessive actions.
• Asthenic neurosis(neurasthenia) - disorders of the neurotic level, in clinical picture which is dominated by asthenic syndrome.
• Somatoform disorders. In terms of clinical manifestations, such disorders resemble somatic diseases, but do not have a real physical basis. Unlike patients with artificial disorders, patients with somatoform disorders do not take any action to simulate the disease and actually feel unpleasant symptoms.
• Dissociative disorders. This group includes dissociative disorders of movements and sensations and other similar disorders of the neurotic level, previously called hysterical neurosis.

Symptoms of neurotic disorders

All neuroses are accompanied by emotional, psychological and vegetative disorders. Autonomic symptoms include pre-syncope, dizziness, feeling unsteady, trembling limbs, muscle twitching, muscle cramps, increased heart rate, pain and discomfort in the chest, high or low blood pressure, feeling cold or hot, feeling of suffocation, lack of air or incompleteness. inhalation, yawning, appetite disorders, various dyspeptic disorders, frequent urination, pain, itching and discomfort in the perineum, sweating, chills and a slight causeless fever. Characteristic features of vegetative disorders are their inconstancy and polysystemic nature.

With all neurotic disorders, sleep disturbances are observed: difficulty falling asleep due to thoughts associated with a traumatic situation, or due to excessively acute perception of any external signals (clock ticking, street noise, sounds of steps from neighbors), frequent awakenings, superficial sleep, vivid or nightmare dreams, feeling of weakness and weakness after a night's sleep. Often the patient suffers from drowsiness during the day, and from insomnia at night.

Another obligate sign of neuroses is asthenia. Patients do not tolerate stress, quickly exhausted. Neurotic disorders are accompanied by instability of mood, irritability and decreased performance of varying severity. The sexual side of patients' lives also suffers - sexual desire disappears or decreases, the duration of sexual intercourse decreases, sexual contacts do not bring former satisfaction, various disorders occur (impaired potency, premature ejaculation).

With neurotic disorders, affective disorders are observed. The general background of mood decreases, patients feel sadness, melancholy and hopelessness. Habitual pleasures ( tasty food, hobbies, communication with friends and family), which previously brought joy, become indifferent. The range of interests narrows, patients become less sociable and begin to avoid contact with other people. Depressions or subdepressions often develop. The level of anxiety rises. Patients see the future as unfavorable, dysfunctional. They live in anticipation of an indefinite catastrophe, tend to focus too much on negative scenarios.

Unlike the above manifestations of neurosis, obsesias and phobias do not occur in all patients. These two signs are closely related, however, in the clinical picture, as a rule, one of the two symptoms predominates. Obsessions are involuntary intrusive thoughts, cravings, fears, or memories. To get rid of obsessions, patients perform compulsive actions, often taking the form of complex rituals.

Phobias are obsessive fears of objects or situations this moment posing no real danger to the patient. There are three types of phobias: simple phobias (isolated fears of spiders, flying, birds, clowns, etc.), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces, places that cannot be left unnoticed, and situations in which you can be left without help) and social phobia (fear of situations in which the patient is the center of attention of others).

Diagnosis and treatment of neurotic disorders

The diagnosis of neurosis is complicated by the small number of objective symptoms that make it possible to unequivocally judge the presence or absence of a disorder. The patient's complaints and anamnesis of the disease are of primary importance in making a diagnosis. In addition, the doctor conducts psychological testing using special standardized questionnaires (BVNK-300 adapted by Bakirova, Cattell's 16-factor questionnaire, etc.). In the process of diagnosis, organic pathology is excluded, which could provoke the appearance of psychological and somatovegetative disorders. If necessary, the patient is referred for consultations to medical support. Depending on the symptoms present, tranquilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics are used.

A general strengthening treatment is prescribed, which includes physiotherapy exercises, massage, taking vitamins and microelements. Of great importance is a change in lifestyle: compliance with the regime of work and rest, moderate physical exercise, stay in the fresh air, a balanced diet, the rejection of bad habits. Sometimes a change of activity is required. With timely initiation of treatment, the prognosis is favorable. Symptoms disappear, patients return to normal life, however, with severe stress, relapses are possible. With late treatment and non-compliance with the recommendations of the doctor, there is a tendency to a protracted course.

In our age of an overabundance of information, stress and crazy speeds, the problem of mental health, or rather, ill health, is becoming almost the most important.

As you know, mental health, the very “healthy spirit” that ancient healers liked to talk about, is an integral part of health in general. Alas, features modern life make us extremely vulnerable to various mental disorders. And the disease does not understand, young or old man in front of her, a man or a woman.

In terms of the prevalence of mental health disorders, today they are among the leaders after cardiovascular and oncological diseases. According to WHO, more than 560 million people on the planet already suffer from various mental illnesses. And almost every second person is in danger of getting mental illness during his life.

Very often companions modern man become such serious neuropsychiatric diseases as neurosis And psychosis .

What lies behind the terms neurosis and psychosis

We are so used to throwing around the words “hysterical”, “neurasthenic”, “psychopath” that we often forget what we use as curses or even ridicule. medical terms. Meanwhile, there is nothing funny in these words.

Neurosis

Briefly, neurosis can be described as follows:

• This is nervous exhaustion, a long-term chronic disorder that can develop in a person against the background of stress or a traumatic event.
• The personality of a patient suffering from a neurosis usually does not undergo major changes. A person retains a critical attitude towards the disease; he can control his behavior.
• As a rule, neurosis is manifested by vegetative, somatic and affective disorders.
• It is a reversible (curable) disease.

The most common types of this disease are:

• neurasthenia (asthenic neurosis, fatigue syndrome);
• hysteria (hysterical neurosis);
• various phobias (fears, panic attacks) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

One of the main reasons for the formation of neurosis is stress in the broadest sense of the word, whether it is childhood trauma, an unfavorable family climate, a crisis at work, nervous strain, interpersonal conflict or emotional shock.

According to medical statistics, the state of neurosis is familiar to 10-20% of the population of our planet, and from various types psychosis affects approximately 5% of the inhabitants of the Earth.

Psychosis

Speaking about psychosis, the following should be noted:

• This is a mental disorder characterized by inadequate human behavior, an atypical reaction to events and phenomena.
• It is manifested by mental disorders, in particular, violations of the perception of reality (hallucinations, delusions).
• It develops imperceptibly for the patient, may be the result of pathologies of the endocrine and nervous systems.
• Able to completely change the personality of the patient.
• This is an incurable disease.

Psychoses according to their origin are usually divided into:

• Endogenous , that is, associated with internal causes (somatic diseases, hereditary mental disorders, age);
• exoorganic caused by external factors(infections, intoxications, etc.) or directly related to a violation of the structure of the brain (injuries, hemorrhages, neoplasms, etc.).

The first group includes:

• affective insanity;
• senile (senile);
• affective;
• schizophrenic;
• epileptic;
• symptomatic psychosis, etc.

The exogenous group includes:

• reactive acute psychosis;
• intoxication;
• infectious;
• alcoholic psychosis, etc.

Signs of psychosis and neurosis

Symptoms of psychosis

Recognizing alarming signals is sometimes not easy, but you should carefully consider any changes that have appeared in the character and habits of a loved one.

The characteristic symptoms of psychosis are:

• decreased performance or febrile activity;
• mood swings;
• irritability, suspicion;
• the desire for self-isolation;
• inexplicable change of interests;
• sleep disturbances, decreased appetite;
• careless attitude to their appearance;
• increased vulnerability and other atypical reactions to events, phenomena;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• incoherent speech;
• hallucinations, delusions.

Symptoms of neurosis

It is quite difficult for a non-specialist to identify a nervous breakdown. And yet the clinic of neurosis has characteristic features.

Neurosis may indicate:

• cognitive decline;
• depressed mood, tearfulness;
• self-doubt, low self-esteem;
• irritability, discontent;
• frequent mood swings;
• intrusive thoughts;
• obsession with bad news and events;
• unmotivated anxiety states;
• poor appetite, ;/li>
• violations in sexual sphere;
• increased sensitivity to noise, light, vibrations, etc.

Childhood fears and facial tics are also symptoms of neurosis.

Very often in everyday life people confuse the concepts of "neurosis" and "neurasthenia". We repeat once again: neurasthenia is a type of neurosis, one of its most common forms.

The characteristic symptoms of neurasthenia are:

• decrease in intellectual abilities;
• dizziness, (the so-called helmet of a neurasthenic);
• increased fatigue;
• chest pain;
• mood swings;
• low self-esteem;

Treatment of neurosis and psychosis

Only (a neuropsychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist) who has received appropriate training and has sufficient practical experience in helping patients with neurological and mental disorders can conduct a competent diagnosis of the disease, identify the causes that provoked it and offer adequate treatment.

The treatment of psychoses and neuroses (including the treatment of neurasthenia) is, as a rule, a whole complex of measures that includes many stages.

So, a combination of the following methods helps to achieve a good result:

• drug therapy;
• phytotherapy;
• psychotherapy;
• hardware treatment;
• water procedures;
• special gymnastics;
• medical diet, etc.