neuroses

neuroses

A person discusses their neuroses with a therapist in a calm office.

Definition

Noun (plural of neurosis) - Psychological condition: "neuroses" are relatively mild mental disorders characterized by symptoms of anxiety, depression, or obsessive behavior, but without a loss of contact with reality. They are functional disorders of the nervous system, often involving excessive worry or irrational fears.

Usage Examples
  • (Mild mental disorders involving anxiety or distress.)
  • (Psychological conditions causing irrational fears or compulsive habits.)
Advanced Usage
  • "the neuroses of modern life": referring to widespread psychological stress or anxiety caused by contemporary society.

    • The pressures of work and social media contribute to the neuroses of modern life. (Common anxieties and worries in today's world.)
  • "a bundle of neuroses": describing someone who displays many anxious or obsessive traits.

    • She was a bundle of neuroses, constantly checking her phone and worrying about deadlines. (A person with many psychological anxieties.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Neurosis (noun, singular): the singular form of "neuroses."

    • He was diagnosed with a mild neurosis related to cleanliness. (A single mild mental disorder.)
  • Neurotic (adjective): relating to or suffering from neurosis.

    • Her neurotic behavior included repeated hand-washing and checking the locks. (Behavior typical of neurosis.)
  • Neurotic (noun): a person affected by neurosis.

    • The character in the novel is a classic neurotic, always worrying about unlikely dangers. (A person with neurotic tendencies.)
Synonyms
  • Anxiety disorders: a broader category of mental health conditions involving excessive worry.
  • Phobias: irrational fears that are a common symptom of neuroses.
  • Obsessions: persistent, intrusive thoughts often associated with neurotic conditions.
Related Idioms
  • "to have one's neuroses": to possess personal anxieties or quirks.

    • Everyone has their neuroses; it's part of being human. (Everyone has some irrational worries or habits.)
  • "to feed someone's neuroses": to reinforce or worsen someone's anxieties.

    • Constantly checking the news only feeds his neuroses about safety. (Worsens his irrational fears.)

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