anxiety neurosis
Definition
Noun: A psychological condition primarily characterized by persistent, excessive, and often uncontrollable worry or anxiety (diffuse anxiety), which is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms (somatic manifestations) of fear, such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, or trembling. It is considered a type of neurosis.
Usage
This term is a clinical noun used in psychology and psychiatry to describe a specific diagnostic category. It is typically used in professional, academic, or medical contexts. - The patient was diagnosed with anxiety neurosis, exhibiting both chronic worry and panic attacks. - Traditional psychoanalytic theory often addressed the treatment of anxiety neurosis.
Advanced Usage
- The term "anxiety neurosis" has historical usage. In modern diagnostic systems like the DSM-5, its symptoms are largely covered under disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions.
- It can be discussed in a historical or theoretical context concerning the work of psychologists like Sigmund Freud.
Variants and Related Words
- Anxiety (n): The core feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
- Neurosis (n): An older term for a class of functional mental disorders involving distress but not delusions or hallucinations.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (n): A modern diagnostic category that is a primary successor to the concept of anxiety neurosis.
Synonyms
- Anxiety disorder (a broader modern category)
- Generalized anxiety (describing the core symptom)
Related Phrases/Idioms
This clinical term is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.
Noun
-
characterized by diffuse anxiety and often somatic manifestations of fear
