When someone says that a person is neurotic, they say that this particular individual tends to be anxious or negative in certain situations. It’s not so much a medical condition as it is a personality trait, although neuroticism can undoubtedly be a symptom of other mental disorders.
Neuroticism is typically characterized by depressive episodes, anger, guilt, anxiety, or envy that is more severe and more frequent than your average person. These negative feelings are more likely to be triggered in stressful environments but may also view ordinary circumstances as more alarming than they are. In general, trivial experiences may lead to larger-than-life reactions of despair.
Even though neuroticism is not considered a condition, it’s certainly not something a psychologist or psychiatrist would write off as insignificant. Recent research suggests that neuroticism can be a strong predictor or be correlated to various mental and physical disorders.
Are Neurosis And Neuroticism The Same?
While they may sound the same, neuroses and neuroticism are not one and the same. Neurosis, while it is not considered an official diagnosis anymore, is a mental disorder that involves anxiety and compulsive thoughts and behavior. At the same time, as we discussed above, neuroticism is merely a personality trait that has the potential to be a part of an overarching mental health condition. Learn about neuroticism in greater detail with a variety of resources available here. And again, neurosis is quite vague and antiquated, so it is hardly ever the case that clinicians will use it in practice.
Neuroticism’s Role In Mental Disorders
High levels of neuroticism can mean that a person is at risk for developing a mental disorder or is already in the throes of one. There’s no objective evidence that suggests one occurs before the other. Still, in general, neuroticism is a good indicator of other issues present, based on anxiety and mood levels.
Neurotic people are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or even substance abuse. This is not to say, however, that non-neurotic people are not prone to these same conditions, but any illness has a variety of factors at play during their development.
Because of this, individuals with high levels of neuroticism must be aware of their vulnerability to mood and personality disorders if they do not nurture their mental health. Neurotic behavior is serious, and even if it is not a disorder, it could still be an indicator that help is necessary. Here are some of the mood disorders that neuroticism is typically associated with:
- Schizophrenia
A disorder in which people are detached from reality and interpret it abnormally.
- Anxiety Disorders
Disorders that are characterized by persistent anxiety that interferes with one’s daily function.
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
When an individual has multiple identities that compete for dominance.
- Eating Disorders
Disorders that typically involve an obsession with food, weight, and physical appearance.
How Is It Tested?
Neuroticism is a personality trait that’s part of the “big five” personality traits that make up the core of one’s personality makeup, and psychologists or other mental health practitioners use specialized personality traits to determine the levels of each of them. The big five personality traits are as follows:
- Openness: How open-minded a person is to new ideas and experiences
- Conscientiousness: How organized, thoughtful, and goal-oriented someone is
- Extraversion: When someone thrives with and is energized by social interaction
- Agreeableness: How affectionate, kind, or generous a person is
- Neuroticism: How anxious, moody, or emotionally unstable someone is, especially in regards to environmental stressors
Thus far, the Big Five model of personality is currently the most referred to and scientifically sound method of differentiating personalities. It is also the basis through which personality research is conducted.
