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Why is neurosis dangerous? Neurosis Fixation on a traumatic situation treatment

What is a neurosis? We will analyze the causes of occurrence, diagnosis and treatment methods in the article of Dr. Nikitin S. S., a neurologist with an experience of 10 years.

Definition of disease. Causes of the disease

Neurosis is a functional disorder, but often makes it difficult to treat or can cause illness - mental or physical.

The WHO testifies that the incidence of neurosis has grown almost 20 times and continues to grow, becoming one of the main problems of practical medicine. Problems of upbringing, communication difficulties, relationship conflicts, a ban on the expression of many emotions, system requirements, information overload, social and economic problems - all this brought neurosis into the disease of civilization.

The concept of neurosis with attempts to explain its occurrence and mechanisms of development first appeared in the teachings of IP Pavlov on the types of higher nervous activity. B. D. Karvasarsky, one of the leaders of the department of neurosis and psychotherapy of the Institute of V. M. Bekhterev, for the first time combined scientific research into one large treatise, which was repeatedly reprinted.

When analyzing the concept of "neurosis", two important points should be taken into account:

With neurosis, there are no psychotic phenomena. This means that the state we are considering is characterized by reversibility, in contrast to psychopathy (they are stable, there is no criticism of their condition, social maladjustment is observed). The state of neurosis is reversible, although it can last weeks, months, or even years.
In neurosis, there is a clear relationship between the conflict situation, which has thus become a triggering factor, and the clinical picture of neurosis. That is, if traumatic situation no, then there will be no neurosis.

In considering the question of the development of neurosis, the most important aspect, about which various schools of psychology have been arguing for decades, is the question of the trigger factor. To date, there is a multifactorial concept of the emergence of neurosis. It combines biological, psychological and social factors. Although in the scientific literature there are still sometimes indications of the exclusivity of the hereditary factor or environmental factors (the term environmental- in psychology).

So, the factors of the emergence and development of neurosis are divided into:

I note that the presence of a traumatic situation is the main factor in the development of neurosis. Moreover, this situation must occur in vitally important relationships, which is why the human value system is so important. And this is a question of education, which is now very acute in our country. In my practice, there are often people who are currently experiencing situations that remind them of their childhood problems and losses.

Symptoms of neurosis

Neurosis has many masks - its symptoms can be:

violation of swallowing, pain and rumbling in the abdomen, intestinal cramps;
sexual disorders in men and women;
frequent or persistent muscle pain, headaches, migraines;
decreased memory, attention, thinking;
sleep disturbance, feeling of lack of sleep, drowsiness;
frequent urination and anxiety caused by it;
pain in the heart, changes in heart rate and blood pressure;
a feeling of lack of air, a feeling of a coma in the chest, frequent hiccups;
skin manifestations (itching, redness).

On the one hand, these complaints can be symptoms of serious diseases, but on the other hand, they are manifestations of a person’s neuropsychic overstrain. Many of my colleagues recognize the importance of psychological factors, but often in terms of treatment, at best, their correction is associated only with the prescription of drugs. Even more common is ignoring these complaints in treatment in general. Because normalizing blood pressure or getting rid of stomach pain is more important than normalizing sleep or getting rid of the sensation of a lump in the throat. And only after sorting through several drugs for treatment, seeing their inefficiency, they begin to think about whether to send the patient to a psychotherapist.

The difficulty also lies in the fact that it is necessary to clearly distinguish what a person has encountered with the manifestation. For example, sleep disturbance can be a symptom of both neurosis and depression, as well as a separate disease. The treatment of these diseases is different, as the points of application of medical knowledge differ.

If we talk about the manifestations of neurosis, then emotional and autonomic disorders come to the fore, due to the manifestation of which we can talk about several neurotic syndromes:

Asthenic syndrome(a state of neuropsychic weakness). Asthenia itself occurs with any disease. Divided into:

psychotic (characteristic of schizophrenia, depression - patients can hardly cope with stress in everyday life, there is no reversibility of the condition, but only an increase under the influence of psychological factors);
organic (observed in organic diseases of the brain, for example, with a tumor, stroke, trauma, atherosclerosis, and many others);
neurotic (characteristic of the "neurotic triad": asthenia, sleep disturbance and any vegetative manifestations). Asthenia includes increased fatigue, decreased concentration and memory; to vegetative manifestations - frequent changes in pulse and blood pressure, skin reactions in the form of redness, excessive sweating, reactions internal organs and muscles; to sleep disturbance - a violation of falling asleep, waking up at night, there is no feeling of rest after sleep and a decrease in working capacity.

The severity of mental weakness can be the same in schizophrenia, depression, and neurosis; other factors and symptoms should also be taken into account. However, in depression, vegetative manifestations are either absent or have little severity, while in neuroses they often become a reason to see a doctor.

2. Obsessive syndrome

It is leading in obsessive-compulsive disorder and is part of the phobic syndrome. "Obsession" in Latin means "obsession". This phenomenon has been repeatedly described in the literature and means the appearance of a certain thought or image that is emotionally unpleasant and different from those thoughts that are currently available. In other words, this is when a person has some unexpected obsessive thoughts that he cannot get rid of. For example, a person is now sitting at work and counting numbers and suddenly starts thinking about something else that is not related to work; it occupies and distracts him. An important distinguishing feature is the understanding of a person that these are his personal images and personal thoughts that are not imposed by anyone; most often a person tries to fight these images, "drive them away from himself."

Types of obsessive phenomena in obsessive syndrome:

obsessive phenomena such as "mental chewing gum";
obsessive doubts such as painful uncertainty about the correctness and completeness of actions;
obsessive account or reproduction in memory of forgotten names, definitions;
obsessive memories of a traumatic situation, any unpleasant events of the past;
obsessive movements in the form of a constant repetition of actions, often according to a certain plan.

I want to note that one should distinguish between obsession in this syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is described below.

3. Phobic Syndrome

Neurotic phobia is characterized by an obsessive experience of fear, while there is a clear plot (that is, plot) and the preservation of human criticism. Usually these experiences, fears are very bright, saturated with feelings and emotions. It is important that a person struggles with his feelings and during an attack of a phobia can perceive an imaginary danger as real.

The main types of phobias (by frequency of occurrence):

fear of space and movement, for example, fear of closed or, conversely, open spaces;
nosophobia, or fear of illness, such as heart disease, cancer, or the fear of going insane;
social phobias, for example, fear of speaking, fear of blushing or sweating in public, fear of vomiting;
obsessive-compulsive, for example, fear of pollution or infection, fear of causing or receiving injury and mutilation;
various phobias, such as fear of insects, ghosts, or some rare form of phobias.

4. Hypochondriacal syndrome

It is present in all types of neurosis and is characterized by inadequate, often excessive, attention to one's health. The structure of the syndrome looks like this:

unpleasant or painful sensations that attract the attention of the patient. These may be some physiological changes that occur during eating or sleeping, rest or physical activity, or changes that begin with neuroses.
emotional-affective disorders and thought disorders, which manifest themselves in the form of anxiety or fear, lowering of mood, reaching obsessive or even overvalued ideas. A person begins to actively monitor his condition, write down his complaints. There is also an emotional coloring of complaints, for example, in my practice as a neurologist, patients sometimes describe headache with such words: “heat in the head”, “pulsation in the head”, “itch in the skull” and many others. others

If these symptoms continue for a long time, a hypochondriacal personality shift may occur. It manifests itself in the complete subordination of one's life to symptoms and illness.

The pathogenesis of neurosis

The definition of neurosis has not changed over the years and looks like this: various external factors large, or rather inadequately large, strength and / or duration affect a person. These are different psychological unpleasant situations or conflicts. In response, in order to keep the whole organism intact and increase resistance to these factors, the brain restructures its work through changes in the functioning of higher nervous activity. This means that our thoughts and attention are shifted to fighting the conflict or ignoring it. Since the coherence of the functioning of all organs and systems of our body depends precisely on the work of the nervous system, due to suppression (in neurology - inhibition) or irritation or amplification (in neurology - mobility or excitation) occurs dysfunction of internal organs and systems. It is for this reason that a huge variety of symptoms can be observed in the clinic. Neuropsychic stress, caused by increased anxiety about one's health and continued exposure to psychological factors, leads to violations of vital relationships- family, work, personal, etc., which, in turn, can again cause an increase in the strength and / or duration of the impact of psychological factors.

Classification and stages of development of neurosis

	neurasthenia	hysteria (hysterical neurosis)	neurosis obsessive states
the reasons	discrepancy between human capabilities and goals, that is, the requirements for oneself are overstated; ever-increasing demands to a person in the conditions of modern life; unhealthy desire for personal success, success "whatever it is worth it"	overpriced human requirements combined with ignoring the requirements of reality; requirements for others always tougher than the demands on yourself	contradictions between internal desires and needs, between desires and duty, between personal principles and affections; traumatic situation there may be episodes when I forgot to do something important or suffered a condition strong fear
peculiarities education	upbringing like "you must achieve, do, achieve ... "; broadcast by parents the principle of conditional love - "I love you, when you do that and act like that, as I need"	violation of the formation systems of life values; explicit the predominance of a certain valuables, such as only money or only spirituality	upbringing excessive guardianship and deprivation of personal initiatives; conflicting requirements for the child, which leads to creating feelings of inferiority
manifestations	vegetative manifestations; hyperexcitability and fatigue; attention disorders; reduced performance; sexual disorders; sleep disorders	vegetative manifestations; hysterical paralysis; behavior "I am the center of the world"; unstable mood; forgetfulness, impressionability; ostentatious behavior; superficial experiences	appear in the form of phobia; social phobia; obsessive-compulsive disorders; nosophobia; simple phobias
compensation mechanisms	"going to work"; "care in illness"; "rationalization"*	"care in illness"; "crowding out"; "regression"*	"crowding out"; "intellectualization"****

* decrease in the significance of a traumatic situation

** elimination of the situation by forgetting or ignoring

*** return to earlier ways of behaving

**** logical explanation of their actions

AT recent times increasingly common forms of neurosis, when signs are determined different types, for example, a combination of neurasthenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Diagnosis of neurosis

In this matter, a combination of various methods is important:

clinical method consists in medical supervision, medical examination. At this stage, the task is to identify the physical manifestations of neurosis, the degree of dysfunction of organs and systems.
pathopsychological method includes:

study of the patient's medical history
conversation with the patient
autobiography and diaries

At this stage, the task is to identify the features of the course of the disease, the structure and characteristics of the patient's personality, psychotraumatic situations in childhood and adulthood.

3. psychological method is psychological testing.

At this stage, the task is to identify the psychological characteristics of the individual, the characteristics of behavior in various situations (psychological experiment).

Physicians in many clinical specialties may suspect a neurotic disorder in their patient and refer them for diagnosis. It should be remembered that only specialists with specialized education should be engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosis. In specialized hospitals, these are psychotherapists. In outpatient practice, a combination of neurological and psychological specialists is possible.

Treatment of neurosis

Treatment of neurosis is divided into two methods - psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. The most optimal results can be achieved with a complex combination of two methods.

The need to introduce pharmacological agents, in particular, psychotropic substances, appeared due to the impossibility of providing high-quality psychotherapeutic assistance to everyone. Summarizing my experience in the treatment of neurosis, I can say that very often the use of drugs is very helpful in starting treatment. This is applicable and shown to those patients who at first find it very difficult to open up to the doctor, they consider their life already prosperous. Over time, while they take the drugs, they feel an improvement and then more willingly agree to psycho-correction.

And now there are supporters of only psychotherapeutic or only pharmacotherapeutic approach. It seems more rational to determine an individual treatment plan in each specific situation. Since we are talking about psychotrauma as a starting point, not a single case of neurosis can do without psychotherapy. Whereas many patients do not need to prescribe medications.

Pharmacotherapy

Of all psychotropic drugs, tranquilizers have become the most popular in the treatment of neuroses. Now there are a huge number of them on the market, and if necessary, the doctor will determine the one that is suitable for a particular patient.

Tranquilizers allow you to achieve many positive goals:

reduce the emotional excitability of patients;
improve sleep: patients fall asleep better, the quality of sleep improves;
reduce autonomic manifestations of neurosis;
reduce irritability, nervousness.

In addition, neuroleptics, antidepressants, and various psychostimulants can be used for treatment from psychotropic drugs. General tonic drugs (vitamins, nootropics, neuroprotectors) are widely used.

The course of treatment is individual and is selected depending on the degree of influence of biological factors on the onset of the disease. Drugs are selected taking into account the characteristics of the patient, the intensity of symptoms and types of neurotic syndromes.

Psychotherapy

It is well known and constantly confirmed in practice that most patients are completely unaware of the significance of many life situations and circumstances that one way or another led to the disease. Patients at the initial appointment declare the well-being of their lives, even presenting typical neurotic complaints.

This is due, on the one hand, to the conscious attitude “not to think about the bad” and ignorance of the possible degree of influence of psychological and social factors. On the other hand, often doctors of clinical specialties, in whose field of vision patients with neurosis fall, do not have sufficient qualifications to identify these factors.

The goal of psychotherapy is the patient's understanding of the impact of traumatic situations on his illness. This is an important component of the treatment. It is necessary to change a person's attitude to those situations, to give him a new experience of experiencing and extracting experience for the future. Often it is necessary to take the patient out of his "childish position", manifested in the use of childish ways of responding. Neuroscientists have proven that the neural pathways of reaction and the formation of emotions are formed in a person up to seven years. Accordingly, our task is to expand the ways of responding. To get results, you need to change your life.

As a method of psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, personality-oriented therapy, suggestive (suggestion) psychotherapy were previously used. Today we have a much greater variety of methods: neuro-linguistic programming, body-oriented therapy, systemic psychotherapy, metaphorical associative maps, personal and program-oriented coaching. It should be remembered that often it is a combination of different methods that gives effectiveness.

Forecast. Prevention

In the 90s, when the theory of neuroses was being developed in our country, their prevention was reduced mainly to building a clear system of patient movement: treatment of the acute phase in a hospital, then an outpatient stage, then a club of former patients.

In our time, all these stages are built on the basis of neuropsychiatric dispensaries, which somewhat frightens patients and worries them additionally. After all, they regard staying in such a hospital as a threat to their existence and the risk of getting a psychiatric diagnosis. Unfortunately, our people do not understand the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist. The situation is further complicated by the abundance of psychotropic drugs on the market.

The prognosis for neurosis is determined mainly by the stage of detection of the disease.

If the diagnosis is made at the stage of functional disorders, it means that when the normal functioning of organs and systems returns, the person will be healthy. But if at the stage of functional disorders a person did not receive proper treatment from a psychologist and did not resolve the psychotraumatic situation, then the organ itself is restructured. That is, we get a somatic disease. For example, if a person previously felt interruptions in the heart, but objectively, during the additional examination, no pathology was found, but a state of neurosis was revealed that does not receive proper treatment, then the person has a high risk of getting a heart rhythm disorder as a diagnosis. Subsequently, this may lead to taking antiarrhythmics for life or surgery.

It should also be pointed out that most people seek medical help at the stage of functional disorders. As a rule, it is not possible to independently resolve a psychologically significant situation. This requires the help of a specialist.

Bibliography

1. Karvasarsky B.D. Neuroses (a guide for physicians). - M.: Medicine, 1980. - 448 p.
2. Karvasarsky B.D. neuroses. – 2nd edition, revised. And extra. – M.: Medicine, 1990. – 576 p.
3. Filimonov V.I. Physiological foundations of psychophysiology. - M.: MEDpress-inform, 2003. - 320 p.
4. Wayne A.M., Dyukova G.M. , Vorobieva O.V., Danilov A.B. "Panic attacks. A Guide for Physicians. - Publishing house "Eidos Media", 2004. - 408 p.
5. Smulevich A.B. "Depression in somatic and mental illness". - M.: Medical Information Agency, 2007. - 432 p.
6. Leslie Cameron-Bandler, Mike LeBeau. NLP. Intensive course of mental management. Translation from English. A. Smirnov, M. Potapova, P. Rumyantseva. - St. Petersburg., 2007. - 219 p.
7. Yanov Artur. Primary cry. Translation from English. A.N. Anvaera. - M.: "AST MOSCOW", 2008. - 606 p.
8. Psychological diagnostics in the practice of a doctor / editors-compilers I.F. Dyakonov, B.V. Ovchinnikov. - St. Petersburg: Spets.lit, 2008. - 143 p.
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Among the numerous types of mental disorders, neurosis occupies one of the first places (symptoms of the disease are found in almost every second inhabitant of the planet). Pathology is characterized by hysterical, asthenic and obsessive states caused by the negative impact of external stimuli, as well as deep conflicts within the personality.

Causes of neuroses

There is a lot of information on how to deal with neurosis, but first of all, you need to understand the causes of this disorder. There are two main factors against which the disease develops - psychogenic and intrapersonal. The first category includes situations that provoke psychological trauma. This can be either severe stress (for example, the loss of a loved one), or prolonged nervous tension associated with professional activity or unfavorable family environment.

Often, neurosis also arises on the basis of internal contradictions, which mainly originate in childhood or adolescence. The root of the problem lies in the mistakes of upbringing and psychological trauma, as a result of which a vulnerable, indecisive and insecure personality is formed.

Stages of neurosis development

At the first stages, the neurosis is poorly expressed, which often prevents its timely detection. The initial stage is typical of childhood and is manifested by weak or moderate neurotic reactions to external stimuli. Loud crying, tantrums and whims are characteristic of many children, so parents rarely pay attention to the first symptoms of the disorder.

At the second stage of the disease, a person becomes more and more exposed to stressful situations, and a nervous reaction occurs not only to negative stimuli, but also to joyful events, after which it is increasingly difficult for a person to relax and return to a calm state. Nevertheless, both the first and second forms are easily treatable.

With prolonged ignoring of the symptoms, the pathology becomes chronic. At this stage, a deep neurosis is formed, in which a cardinal transformation of the patient's character and behavior occurs. Running forms are difficult to cure completely, and the symptoms of the disease can only be stopped with the help of medication or psychotherapeutic techniques. The danger of a chronic disorder also lies in the fact that the personality forever loses its typical qualities.

Symptoms of neurosis

The disease has many symptoms that can manifest itself both psychologically and physiologically. The severity of the course of the disorder depends on many factors, but the main role is played by the lifestyle and individual characteristics of the patient's nervous system. Due to the fact that women are more emotional, the signs of neurosis are more pronounced in them than in men. Nevertheless, the general symptoms in both sexes are almost the same.

Psychological signs of neurosis

A typical sign of pathology is increased anxiety, which leads to a negative assessment of events and an inadequate perception of reality by the patient. Symptoms of neurosis in women often manifest themselves in the form of constant tearfulness and irritability, while men, on the contrary, become more withdrawn or begin to relieve stress with alcohol.

The main psychological manifestations of the disorder:

emotional instability and sudden mood swings;
fixation on a negative situation;
progressive phobias and fears;
panic attacks;
guilt and low self-esteem;
the presence of obsessive ideas;
an inexplicable feeling of sadness, loss and longing;
difficulty in making decisions;
negative thoughts about the future.

Physical signs of neurosis

Advanced forms of pathology are often accompanied by unpleasant physical manifestations. Such symptoms are not the result of individual diseases and are mainly associated with disorders in the functioning of the autonomic system. Nevertheless, a progressive and prolonged neurosis can serve as an impetus for malfunctions in the functioning of the whole organism, which subsequently threatens to cause additional health problems. To avoid this, it is necessary to take care of the timely treatment of a neurotic disorder already at its first manifestations.

Characteristic symptoms of neurosis at the physiological level:

pain in the chest and heart;
frequent neurasthenic headaches;
decreased vision;
heart rhythm failures;
disorders in the genitourinary system;
feeling of lack of air when inhaling;
dermatological problems (skin itches a lot, various rashes are observed);
tremor of the limbs;
increase or decrease in blood pressure;
excessive sweating;
dizziness and fainting;
sleep problems;
decrease or increase in appetite;
decreased sexual desire (in men - impotence);
heaviness and pain in the stomach.

Types of neuroses

Allocate social, postpartum, motor, school, cardiophobic and information and other types of neuroses. The most common 5 varieties of this pathology:

- a form that is difficult to treat, based on phobias. Suspicious, impressionable and insecure people are susceptible to the disease. Chronic obsessive-compulsive disorder is extremely dangerous, because it threatens to transform into more severe mental disorders.
Neurasthenia (astheno-neurotic syndrome) is a pathology that develops against the background of chronic fatigue. Clinical manifestations: sleep disturbance, headaches, irritability, lethargy, apathy.
Anxiety disorder - patients with this type of pathology experience constant anxiety and unreasonable fears. The main symptoms are panic attacks, dry mouth, palpitations and sweating.
Hysteria is a type of disorder that women are more susceptible to. Typical manifestations: loud cries, stormy sobs, convulsive seizures.
Hypochondriacal neurosis is characteristic of suspicious people with excessive attention to themselves and their health.

Diagnosis of neuroses

Diagnosis of pathology begins with the study of factors that could lead to its development. First of all, the specialist pays attention to the patient's heredity, his physical health, as well as the circumstances preceding the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. essential role the dynamics of manifestations of neurosis is also assigned: the periodicity and strength of symptoms, their dependence on life circumstances and seasonal fluctuations are studied. A neurotic disorder is diagnosed only in the following cases:

in the absence of physical pathologies that could lead to similar symptoms;
if the disease is long-term and the symptoms are regular;
if the patient can adequately assess their own reactions;
if there are no suspicions of more complex types of mental disorders.

Treatment of neurosis

There are many techniques used in the treatment of the disorder, but there are no general schemes that would equally effectively help all patients. Only a thorough study of the medical history and the establishment of a correct diagnosis will allow the specialist to understand whether the neurosis can be cured completely and what are the chances that after a while the disease will not manifest itself again.

Ways to treat a neurotic disorder:

Medical. Medicines of chemical and herbal origin are used (tranquilizers, antidepressants, nootropics, anxiolytics, vitamins and minerals, sedatives). The method helps to alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms, but medicines are not able to eliminate the cause of the disease. With the help of pharmaceuticals, neuralgia is treated, which is often the result of prolonged neurosis.
Hypnotherapy - allows a specialist to study the patient's subconscious and identify the true cause of the disorder, and then inspire the patient with positive attitudes that will contribute to healing.
Psychotherapy is a technique that helps the patient to remember, realize and work through all the factors that led to the development of the disease.

In most cases, an integrated approach gives good results, but the prognosis for a complete or partial cure depends only on how long the disease lasts.

Prevention of neuroses

Prevention of neurotic disorders should begin as early as childhood, since improper upbringing of a child is the main reason for the development of this pathology. So, children from an early age should learn to overcome difficulties on their own, to have endurance, perseverance and patience.

The atmosphere of excessive permissiveness or, on the contrary, severity provokes the development of suspiciousness, uncertainty, anxiety and other initial symptoms of the disease in the child. Therefore, parents should always be aware of the danger of neurosis and prevent its initial manifestations.

To minimize the risk of a severe neurotic disorder, a favorable environment in the family and the team, proper and regular nutrition, proper rest, rejection of bad habits, moderate exercise and control of emotions will help. A neglected neurosis can be prevented if you monitor your emotional state, and at the first alarming symptoms, immediately seek help from a specialized specialist.

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. It is possible to establish the diagnosis of "neurosis" only after excluding psychiatric, neurological and somatic diseases similar to it in the clinic. Treatment has 2 main components: psychotherapeutic (psychocorrection, trainings, art therapy) and medication (antidepressants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, restorative drugs).

General information

Neurosis as a term was introduced in 1776 in Scotland by a doctor named Kuplen. This was done in opposition to J. Morgagni's earlier assertion that each disease is based on a morphological substrate. The author of the term "neurosis" meant by it functional disorders health, not having an organic lesion of any organ. Subsequently, the well-known Russian physiologist I.P. Pavlov.

In ICD-10, the term "neurotic disorder" is used instead of the term "neurosis". However, today the concept of "neurosis" is widely used in relation to psychogenic disorders of higher nervous activity, i.e., caused by the action of chronic or acute stress. If the same disorders are associated with the influence of other etiological factors (for example, toxic effects, trauma, illness), then they are referred to as so-called neurosis-like syndromes.

In the modern world, neurosis is a fairly common disorder. In developed countries, from 10% to 20% of the population, including children, suffer from various forms of neurotic disorders. In the structure of mental disorders, neuroses account for about 20-25%. Since the symptoms of neurosis are often not only psychological, but also somatic in nature, this issue is relevant both for clinical psychology and neurology, and for a number of other disciplines.

Causes of neurosis

Despite the diverse research in this area, the true cause of neurosis and the pathogenesis of its development are not known for certain. For a long time, neurosis was considered an information disease associated with intellectual overload and a high pace of life. In this regard, the lower incidence of neuroses in rural areas was explained by their more relaxed lifestyle. However, studies conducted among air traffic controllers have refuted these assumptions. It turned out that, despite the hard work that requires constant attention, quick analysis and response, dispatchers suffer from neuroses no more often than people of other specialties. Among the reasons for their morbidity, mainly family troubles and conflicts with superiors were indicated, rather than overwork in the process of work.

Other studies, as well as the results of psychological testing of patients with neurosis, have shown that it is not the quantitative parameters of the traumatic factor (multiplicity, strength) that are of decisive importance, but its subjective significance for a particular individual. Thus, the external trigger situations that provoke a neurosis are very individual and depend on the patient's value system. Under certain conditions, any situation, even everyday, can form the basis for the development of a neurosis. At the same time, many experts come to the conclusion that it is not the stressful situation itself that matters, but the wrong attitude towards it, as destroying the personal prosperous present or threatening the personal future.

A certain role in the development of neurosis belongs to the psychophysiological characteristics of a person. It is noted that people with increased suspiciousness, demonstrativeness, emotionality, rigidity, and subdepression are more likely to fall ill with this disorder. Perhaps the greater emotional lability of women is one of the factors leading to the fact that the development of neurosis in them is observed 2 times more often than in men. Hereditary predisposition to neurosis is realized precisely through the inheritance of certain personality traits. In addition, an increased risk of developing neurosis exists during periods of hormonal changes (puberty, menopause) and in people who had neurotic reactions in childhood (enuresis, logoneurosis, etc.).

Pathogenesis

The modern understanding of the pathogenesis of neurosis assigns the main role in its development to functional disorders of the limbic-reticular complex, primarily the hypothalamic part of the diencephalon. These brain structures are responsible for providing internal connections and interaction between the autonomic, emotional, endocrine and visceral spheres. Under the influence of an acute or chronic stressful situation, a violation of integrative processes in the brain occurs with the development of maladjustment. At the same time, no morphological changes in the brain tissues are noted. Since the processes of disintegration cover the visceral sphere and the autonomic nervous system, in the clinic of neurosis, along with mental manifestations, somatic symptoms and signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia are observed.

Disorders of the limbic-reticular complex in neuroses are combined with neurotransmitter dysfunction. Thus, the study of the mechanism of anxiety revealed the insufficiency of the noradrenergic systems of the brain. There is an assumption that pathological anxiety is associated with an anomaly of benzodiazepine and GABAergic receptors or a decrease in the number of neurotransmitters acting on them. The effectiveness of anxiety therapy with benzodiazepine tranquilizers supports this hypothesis. The positive effect of antidepressants affecting the functioning of the serotonergic system of the brain indicates a pathogenetic relationship between neurosis and disorders of serotonin metabolism in cerebral structures.

Classification

Personal characteristics, the psychophysiological state of the body and the specifics of the dysfunction of various neurotransmitter systems determine the variety of clinical forms of neuroses. In Russian neurology, the main 3 types of neurotic disorders are distinguished: neurasthenia, hysterical neurosis (conversion disorder) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessive-compulsive disorder). All of them are discussed in detail in the corresponding reviews.

Depressive neurosis, hypochondriacal neurosis, phobic neurosis are also distinguished as independent nosological units. The latter is partly included in the structure of obsessive-compulsive disorder, since obsessions (obsessions) rarely have an isolated character and are usually accompanied by obsessive phobias. On the other hand, in the ICD-10, anxiety-phobic neurosis is taken out as a separate item with the name “anxiety disorders”. According to the peculiarities of clinical manifestations, it is classified as panic attacks (paroxysmal autonomic crises), generalized anxiety disorder, social phobias, agoraphobia, nosophobia, claustrophobia, logophobia, aichmophobia, etc.

Neuroses also include somatoform (psychosomatic) and post-stress disorders. With somatoform neurosis, the patient's complaints fully correspond to the clinic of a somatic disease (for example, angina pectoris, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, gastritis, colitis), however, upon detailed examination with laboratory tests, ECG, gastroscopy, ultrasound, irrigoscopy, colonoscopy, etc., this pathology is not detected. In the anamnesis there is a presence of a traumatic situation. Post-stress neuroses are observed in people who have experienced natural disasters, man-made accidents, fighting, acts of terrorism and other mass tragedies. They are divided into acute and chronic. The first are transient and appear during or immediately after the tragic events, as a rule, in the form of a hysterical fit. The latter gradually lead to a change in personality and social maladjustment (for example, an Afghan neurosis).

Stages of neurosis development

In its development, neurotic disorders go through 3 stages. In the first two stages, due to external circumstances, internal causes, or under the influence of ongoing treatment, neurosis can cease to exist without a trace. In cases of prolonged exposure to a traumatic trigger (chronic stress), in the absence of professional psychotherapeutic and / or medication support for the patient, the 3rd stage occurs - the disease passes into the stage of chronic neurosis. There are persistent changes in the structure of the personality, which remain in it even under the condition of effectively carried out therapy.

The first stage in the dynamics of neurosis is considered to be a neurotic reaction - a short-term neurotic disorder lasting no more than 1 month, resulting from acute psychotrauma. Typical for childhood. As a single case, it can occur in completely mentally healthy people.

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. Relatives of the patient and he himself speak of a significant change in his character and behavior, often reflecting the situation with the phrase “he/she was changed”.

General symptoms of neuroses

Vegetative disorders are polysystemic in nature, can be both permanent and paroxysmal (panic attacks). Disorders of the function of the nervous system are manifested by tension headache, hyperesthesia, dizziness and a feeling of instability when walking, tremors, shudders, paresthesias, muscle twitches. Sleep disorders are observed in 40% of patients with neuroses. They are usually represented by insomnia and daytime hypersomnia.

neurotic dysfunction of cardio-vascular system includes: discomfort in the cardiac region, arterial hypertension or hypotension, rhythm disturbances (extrasystole, tachycardia), cardialgia, pseudocoronary insufficiency syndrome, Raynaud's syndrome. Respiratory disorders observed in neurosis are characterized by a feeling of lack of air, a lump in the throat or suffocation, neurotic hiccups and yawning, fear of suffocation, an imaginary loss of respiratory automatism.

On the part of the digestive system, dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, heartburn, flatulence, unclear abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation may occur. Neurotic disorders of the genitourinary system cause cystalgia, pollakiuria, itching or pain in the genital area, enuresis, frigidity, decreased libido, premature ejaculation in men. Disorder of thermoregulation leads to periodic chills, hyperhidrosis, subfebrile condition. With neurosis, dermatological problems can occur - rashes like urticaria, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis.

A typical symptom of many neuroses is asthenia - increased fatigue both in the mental sphere and in the physical one. Often there is an anxiety syndrome - a constant expectation of upcoming unpleasant events or dangers. Phobias are possible - fears of an obsessive type. In neurosis, they are usually specific, related to a particular subject or event. In some cases, neurosis is accompanied by compulsions - stereotypical obsessive motor acts, which can be rituals corresponding to certain obsessions. Obsessions - painful obsessive memories, thoughts, images, drives. As a rule, they are combined with compulsions and phobias. In some patients, neurosis is accompanied by dysthymia - low mood with a feeling of grief, longing, loss, despondency, sadness.

The mnestic disorders that often accompany neurosis include forgetfulness, memory impairment, greater distractibility, inattention, inability to concentrate, an affective type of thinking, and some narrowing of consciousness.

Diagnostics

The leading role in the diagnosis of neurosis is played by the identification of a traumatic trigger in the anamnesis, the data of the patient's psychological testing, studies of the personality structure and pathopsychological examination.

In the neurological status of patients with neurosis, no focal symptoms are detected. Perhaps a general revival of reflexes, hyperhidrosis of the palms, tremor of the fingertips when stretching the arms forward. The exclusion of cerebral pathology of organic or vascular origin is carried out by a neurologist using EEG, MRI of the brain, REG, ultrasound of the vessels of the head. With severe sleep disorders, it is possible to consult a somnologist and conduct polysomnography.

A differential diagnosis of neurosis is needed with clinically similar psychiatric (schizophrenia, psychopathy, bipolar disorder) and somatic (angina pectoris,

Treatment of neurosis

The basis of the treatment of neurosis is the elimination of the impact of a traumatic trigger. This is possible either with the resolution of a traumatic situation (which is extremely rare), or with such a change in the patient's attitude to the current situation, when it ceases to be a traumatic factor for him. In this regard, leading in the treatment is psychotherapy.

Traditionally, in relation to neurosis, mainly complex treatment is used, combining psychotherapeutic methods and pharmacotherapy. In mild cases, psychotherapeutic treatment alone may be sufficient. It is aimed at revising the attitude to the situation and resolving the internal conflict of the patient with neurosis. Of the methods of psychotherapy, it is possible to use psychocorrection, cognitive training, art therapy, psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Additionally, training in relaxation methods is provided; in some cases, hypnotherapy. Therapy is carried out by a psychotherapist or medical psychologist.

Drug treatment of neurosis is based on the neurotransmitter aspects of its pathogenesis. It has an auxiliary role: it facilitates work on oneself in the course of psychotherapeutic treatment and consolidates its results. With asthenia, depression, phobias, anxiety, panic attacks, the leading antidepressants are: imipramine, clomipramine, amitriptyline, St. John's wort extract; more modern - sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, paroxetine. Anxiolytic drugs are additionally used in the treatment of anxiety disorders and phobias. With neuroses with mild manifestations, herbal sedative preparations and short courses of mild tranquilizers (mebicar) are indicated. With advanced disorders, preference is given to tranquilizers of the benzodiazepine series (alprazolam, clonazepam). With hysterical and hypochondriacal manifestations, it is possible to prescribe small doses of neuroleptics (tiapride, sulpiride, thioridazine).

As a supportive and restorative therapy for neurosis, multivitamins, adaptogens, glycine, reflexology and physiotherapy (electrosleep, darsonvalization, massage, hydrotherapy) are used.

Forecast and prevention

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 care. In most cases, timely therapy 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.

A good prevention of neuroses is to prevent the occurrence of traumatic situations, especially in childhood. But the best way may be self-education right attitude to incoming events and people, the development of an adequate system of life priorities, getting rid of delusions. Strengthening the psyche is also facilitated by sufficient sleep, good work and a mobile lifestyle, healthy eating, hardening.

Neurosis got its name from the Greek and means nerve. Synonyms are neurotic disorder and psychoneurosis. The collective names of the group of nervous functional diseases of psychogenic disorders (hysterical neurosis, neurasthenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder) tend to have a long course. The clinical picture of these disorders has asthenic, obsessive, and hysterical manifestations. For the disease, a decrease in mental as well as physical performance. The term neurosis has been introduced into medical terminology since 1776 by a doctor from Scotland, William Cullen.

Causes of neuroses

An important factor causing neuroses are human conflicts, both internal and external. To external we refer the action of certain circumstances that cause psychological trauma, as well as prolonged emotional overstrain and affect the intellectual sphere of the psyche.

Neurosis is the norm of our days and it has firmly entered our lives since the time of Freud. At present, there is no longer a question about the authenticity of his existence, there is a question about a person's attitude to his condition (neurosis) and mental problems. Some exalt their sufferings and also ennoble them, finding their meaning in them. And others suffer from them all their conscious lives, and also try to keep them ignored, or interpret them in their own way, but more often they run away from them to work or to religion, to another person, to fantasy, to illness, to alcohol, and so they are forgotten .

Neurosis refers to temporary functional disorders of the nervous system that occur under the influence of acute, as well as longitudinal psychotraumatic factors. The causes of neurosis are overwork, environmental fatigue, the effects of radiation, and severe illnesses.

I.I. Pavlov characterized neurosis as a chronic disease with a violation of higher nervous activity that arose after an overstrain in the cerebral cortex.

Other psychoanalytic theories consider neurosis, as well as its symptoms, to be the result of a psychological deep conflict. It is believed that this conflict arises in a social situation and this situation interferes with the satisfaction of basic needs, and also poses a danger or threat to the future of a person, which he tries, but cannot overcome or change.

Sigmund Freud believed that the origin of neurosis is due to the contradictions that arose due to instinctive attraction (It) and the prohibition of the Super-I. This prohibition represents morality, as well as the laws of morality that have been instilled in a person since childhood.

Karen Horney argued that neurosis acts as a defense against adverse social factors. It can be humiliation, parental controlling love, social isolation, neglect, as well as aggressive behavior of parents towards the child. In order to somehow protect themselves, the child develops a kind of protection: from people, then movement towards people, and also against people. Movement away from people is a need for freedom, independence, distance from people. Movement towards people includes a need for love, submission, protection. The movement against people is the need for glory, for triumph over people themselves, for success, for recognition; is to cope with life on your own and be strong.

Each neurotic has all three types, but only one dominates, so people suffering from neurosis are divided into isolated, subordinate, aggressive.

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; and biological factors, which are understood as the functional insufficiency of certain neurophysiological, as well as neurotransmitter systems, making the sick susceptible to psychogenic influences

Signs of neurosis

The main criteria, as well as the signs by which neurosis is distinguished, are: psychogenic factors of occurrence, as well as decompensation of painful manifestations, the absence of psychotic symptoms, the absence of dementia, the increase in personality changes, the painful nature of psychopathological manifestations, the critical attitude of the patient towards himself

Neurosis - symptoms

A neurotic disorder has the following symptoms: the presence of cynicism, for no apparent reason, emotional distress, indecision, communication problems, low or high self-esteem, anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, fears, expectation of an alarming event, panic attacks, uncertainty about system of values, as well as contradictions in preferences and life desires, conflicting ideas about oneself, about life, about others.

Symptoms of neurosis include mood instability and frequent, as well as sharp variability, irritability; high sensitivity to stress, manifested in despair or aggression; the symptoms of neuroses are characterized by tearfulness, obsession with a traumatic situation, vulnerability, resentment, anxiety. During an attempt to work, neurosthenics quickly get tired, their attention, memory, and mental abilities decrease; they are very susceptible to loud sounds, temperature changes, bright light.

Neurosis also includes symptoms such as sleep disturbance, it is often difficult for a person to fall asleep due to overexcitation; his sleep is superficial, very disturbing and does not bring any relief; sleepiness is often observed in the morning.

Physical symptoms are also characteristic of neurosis: headaches, as well as heart pains, often there is increased fatigue, chronic fatigue, pain in the abdomen, decreased performance (emotional burnout), VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia), dizziness, and darkening from drops pressure in the eyes, disturbances in the vestibular apparatus: difficulties in coordinating movements for balance, frequent dizziness, eating disorders (bulimia - overeating or malnutrition - anorexia); feeling of hunger and at the same time very fast satiety during meals; insomnia, unpleasant dreams, hypochondria - taking care of your health, psychological sensation and experience of physical pain (psychalgia).

Neurosis also has such vegetative symptoms: sweating, jumps in blood pressure, palpitations, stomach disorders, coughing, frequent urination, decreased libido, loose stools, decreased potency

Treatment of neuroses

Many methods and techniques for treating neurosis help to cope with this disease. In the treatment of neurosis, psychotherapy is successfully used, and in more severe cases drug treatment.

The opinion of doctors is that it is advisable for the patient to realize his contradictions, to build a more accurate picture of his personality. The main task of psychotherapy is to help the patient in understanding the relationships that determined the development of neurosis. There will be a result in psychotherapy if the patient really correlates his life experience with the situation, because of which they came into conflict, and the disease manifested itself.

It is important to draw the attention of the sick person to his personal subjective experiences, as well as to the external conditions of the social environment.

But Karen Horney argued that awareness of contradictions alone is categorically not enough, it is very important to create psychotherapeutic conditions that will change the personality and allow her to forget forever the neurotic ways of protecting herself from the outside world.

Color diagnostics of neuroses

Personality neurosis is diagnosed by repeated preference for the following colors (gray, purple, black, brown).

The colors rejected by patients with a hysterical syndrome are red, as well as purple.

The treatment of neurosis includes many methods. These include feasible physical activity - physical exercises (aerobics, swimming, running, brisk walking). All this stimulates the heart and enriches it with oxygen. Physical exercises are carried out up to 5 times a week for 15 minutes.

Treatment methods for neuroses include color therapy. The right color for the brain is useful, like vitamins for the body. To extinguish your anger, irritation - avoid red. At the time of the onset of a bad mood, exclude 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.

An effective method of treating neurosis is music therapy, which is selected in accordance with the mood, then the music is changed in the direction of changing the desired mood. So Bekhterev advised. A strong effect and a good result is given by simple music - songs, romances. French researchers advise using the mechanism of action of music. First, we determine the melody that is responsible for the state of mind at the moment. Next, a melody is selected that can resist the action of the first composition, neutralizing it. When choosing a second melody, they are guided by the fact that it is airy, light; giving, desired consolation and inspiring hope. When choosing the third composition, the music with the greatest emotional impact is selected. Music should be dynamic, carrying confidence, will and courage.

Methods of treatment of neuroses include the gastronomic method. Give yourself pleasure with food. Carbohydrates contained in cakes, sweets are good for soothing. Protein foods (seafood, chicken, young veal, beef) also give the desired result, but avoid coffee, strong tea, Coca-Cola and the like. There is a direct link with greater intake of these drinks and anxiety, depression, and irritability.

Alternative treatment of neurosis

If you experience fatigue, as well as overwork, try grape juice every two hours for 2 tbsp. spoons, salted fish in small quantities is effective, as well as a decoction of warm potatoes with peel. Prepare a dessert: for a glass of hot milk one yolk, sugar. Drink hot.

crushed walnuts mix with honey, take a teaspoon up to three times a month.

The diet must contain iodine-containing products: fruits of irgi, feijoa, sea kale.

During the period of nervous excitement, as well as tearfulness or insomnia, take up to 15 drops of valerian. Take a valerian root decoction bath. To do this, take 60 grams of root, boil for 15 minutes, let it brew for up to 1 hour, strain and pour into the bath. The duration of the bath is not more than 15 minutes.

In the evening, take motherwort herb tincture for a month, and drink a glass of hot milk at night; it is recommended to sleep on a pillow stuffed with wormwood, as well as hop cones.

Alternative treatment of neurosis includes many remedies that improve sleep, change mood, while relieving stress, as well as irritability.

Everyone can choose an effective remedy for the treatment of neuroses with herbs.

For example, one st. pour a spoonful of three-leaf watch grass, valerian root, peppermint leaves with a glass of boiling water, then insist, filter and drink up to 100 ml up to 2 times a day for a month.

With restless sleep, general weakness, those with neurasthenia, pour a teaspoon of verbena herb with a glass of boiling water, then leave for an hour, take in small sips throughout the day.

A good effect from dry leaves of cucumber grass, pour 2 tablespoons of boiling water, insist, filter, add sugar and drink during the day, we are treated for a month

Physical symptoms of neuroses

Vegetative disorders are always observed in neurosis: sweating, trembling fingers, palpitations. There may also be drops in blood pressure, with a downward trend, "flies" before the eyes, dizziness.
Vegetative symptoms with involvement in the process of the gastrointestinal tract - frequent urination, loose stools, rumbling in the abdomen.
Pain in the head, heart, abdomen.
Increased fatigue.
Disturbance of appetite, which can manifest itself both in its decrease and in overeating.

In neuroses, as in somatized depressions, patients consider themselves seriously ill. The physical symptoms observed in neurosis are interpreted by patients as the main ones, so they first of all go to a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, therapist, but not to a psychiatrist.

There are 3 classical forms of neuroses:

hysterical neurosis;
neurasthenia;
obsessive-compulsive disorder;

The main consequences of neurosis

Pronounced decrease in performance. Due to the rapid decrease in concentration, deterioration of mental abilities and memorization, a person cannot perform previously familiar work, quickly gets tired. In addition, due to sleep disorders accompanying neurosis, there is no proper rest, which also contributes to a decrease in working capacity.
The appearance of diseases of internal organs, decompensation of existing diseases. Since neuroses capture not only the mental, but also the somatic sphere, lead to a deterioration in the adaptive capabilities of the body, the risk of the appearance of concomitant diseases of internal organs against the background of neurosis increases, and the risk of colds and infectious diseases increases.
Family problems. Anxiety, tearfulness, resentment are frequent companions of neurosis. But it is precisely these qualities that contribute to the emergence of scandals, conflicts in the family, and misunderstanding.
The appearance of obsessive states (fears, thoughts, memories) disrupts the normal life of sick people, they are forced to avoid traumatic situations, perform the same actions several times (or even dozens) to make sure that they did everything right.

The prognosis for neuroses is good. Disability of patients is extremely rare. With the elimination of a traumatic situation, timely treatment, the symptoms of neurosis disappear completely, and a person can return to a normal full life. In addition to medical and psychotherapeutic treatment, patients need proper rest for a quick recovery.

How long does a neurosis last

Neurosis is one of the most popular mental illnesses in the modern world. This is due to the high rhythm of life. A neurotic state is understood as a mental disorder associated with the depletion of the nervous system. Is it possible to completely get rid of this disease? Yes, neurosis is treated completely, but under the condition of a complex impact. The sooner it is started, the more effective and shorter the treatment process will be.

The reasons

The main cause of neurosis is considered to be the person himself. More precisely, his reaction to the events taking place around him. When a person faces a problem that is difficult for him to solve, he feels cornered. This state causes anxiety, anxiety and fear. After these states have appeared, there are reactions to them. A person tries to get rid of negative consequences, forgetting about the original cause of his condition. It turns out something like a vicious circle.

How long the neurosis lasts is difficult to answer. Depending on how soon the patient seeks help from a psychotherapist and begins to undergo treatment.

For a person, anything can serve as the initial cause, that is, any strong experience of a negative nature. For example, for children, this may be the loss of a pet or the divorce of parents. For a teenager, the impetus for neurosis can be a problem associated with communication with peers or flaws in the figure. For an adult, these are problems related to work, home or severe physical overwork.

You can also distinguish categories of people who have a tendency to neurotic states.

People with hypertrophied responsibility. Due to the fact that they drive themselves into certain limits, and are in a stressful state, trying to do everything. There is a cornering of oneself, and as a result, stress and neurosis.
People who have fears and complexes from early childhood and do not discuss them with anyone.
People who accumulate all experiences in themselves. Often others believe that such a person is not able to express emotions at all.
The so-called "workaholics". They believe that they do not need rest and vacation. This leads to stress and chronic fatigue. That flows into a neurotic state.
People with low self-esteem. They take criticism too seriously and have no opinion of their own. For them, what others say is much more important than their own thoughts.

Symptoms

Often the state of neurosis is confused with psychosis. The main difference is that during a neurosis the patient understands and realizes that he is sick, but during a psychosis this does not happen. Also, signs of neurosis are hidden under the symptoms of various diseases. Often, for this reason, many neurotic conditions remain incurable.

A person goes from one doctor to another, trying to find an explanation for his well-being. But the symptomatic picture either does not fit into the symptoms of one particular disease, or there is no physiological cause of the symptom at all. An example is heart pain and tachycardia. Whereas during the examination, this organ is in good condition and is considered healthy. A person may say that he did not have a good enough examination or doctors are incompetent.

How much neurosis is treated directly depends on:

the severity of the disease;
on how quickly a person turned to a specialist;
from the competence of a specialist;
from correctly selected complex treatment;
from following all the recommendations of a psychiatrist or neurologist.

Under the condition of improper treatment or its absence at all, neurosis can accompany a person throughout his life.

In order to contact the doctor in time, you need to know what symptoms the disease expresses. There are a number of symptoms of neurosis:

nervous tics;
pain in different parts of the body;
retardation of movements;
tachycardia;
lump in the throat;
nausea;
insomnia;
increased sleepiness during the daytime;
violation of the digestive tract;
sweating;
reaction to bright lights or loud noises
tearfulness;
irritability;
pessimistic mood;
apathy;
panic attacks;
depressive state.

All symptoms can be divided into 10, which are distinguished by psychiatrists. But most often there are only 6 manifestations.

Anxious state. A person experiences it when they are afraid of something, but cannot say exactly what. Most often this condition is accompanied by phobias. For example, a person is afraid of elevators. And at the entrance to it, or just thinking about it, increased sweating, tachycardia, lack of air begins. Distinguish anxiety chronic or acute. The first proceeds more gently, since a person is already used to it, and the second can be compared with panic attacks. It can provoke rash decisions, which can lead to negative consequences.
conversion hysteria. More commonly seen in females. This disease can provoke a lack of appetite or temporary loss of hearing, vision, sense of taste. It can be expressed in uncontrolled actions, such as temporary paralysis, or vice versa, sudden movements that are not appropriate for the situation. This disease is aggravated by the fact that due to the fact that interest in everything that is happening around is lost, a visit to a neurologist is postponed indefinitely.
dissociative hysteria. It is expressed in dissociation from one's own self. Initially, there may be memory loss. But later these moments are remembered, and the person does not pay attention to this symptom. Further, schizophrenia develops.
Phobia. It is the most common symptom of neurosis. This kind of disease makes it very difficult to live a full life, because because of the fear of something, you have to look for other ways to solve the situation. For example, if you are afraid of closed spaces, it is problematic to ride an elevator or work in an office. How long the neurosis lasts before the appointment of treatment depends only on the person himself, how much he wants to live fully.
Compulsive neurosis is that a person is haunted by a negative thought throughout the day, preventing him from concentrating on something else. In some cases, one day may not be enough. And, for example, the thought of the death of a close relative can haunt for years.
Depression. Expressed by a feeling of depression, which begins in the morning. Depression can lead to suicide.

Treatment

Whether a neurosis is treated for years or just a few months is enough, one cannot say unequivocally. It all depends on the individual patient and some other factors. If the disease has become chronic, then recovery may take more than one year.

Can we cure neurosis? Definitely yes. To do this, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible, when there is the slightest suspicion of a disease. You don't have to be ashamed of it. Neurosis is considered a rather serious disease, and if its symptoms are ignored, it can lead to adverse consequences. According to statistics, only every fourth person suffering from neurosis turns to a psychotherapist or neuropathologist.

Just how long a neurosis is treated depends on whether the patient is in the hospital or is undergoing an outpatient course.

With the right choice of course, neurosis can be cured. Often, in order for the patient to recover, complex therapy is used. It includes:

taking medication;
psychotherapy;
compliance with the diet;
adjustment of the daily routine.

More often, doctors prescribe antidepressants and a complex of vitamins. Less often tranquilizers. In the pharmacy, they are sold only by prescription.

you can never cure neurosis with antidepressants and don’t talk nonsense ...

Of course you can't cure it, Dmitry. Only a complex - psychotherapy, pharmacology, work on oneself (cleansing the spiritual self, improving attitudes towards people, more positive emotions).

Getting rid of the most severe neurosis is continuous work on oneself for a long time. But the bonus will be different chips such as endurance, increasing intelligence during personality development, training to drive away unnecessary thoughts.

The psychiatrist prescribed Gidazepam for neurosis. Tell me, please, is this a good drug for neurosis (with phobias)?

Diana! Of course, this is a strong sedative, BUT! They should not indulge for a long time, because after 2-3 weeks it can be addictive.

Try Atarax - no addiction, but it helps perfectly. By the way, you don't need a prescription, as far as we know.

Neurosis - symptoms in adults, causes, first signs and treatment

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.

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.
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 as:

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, the incidence of neurosis in men ranges from 5 to 80 cases per 1000 population, while in women it ranges 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

Neurasthenia (nervous weakness or fatigue syndrome) is the most common form of neurosis. 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. Movement 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 tend to draw the attention of 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 schizophrenia, 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-esteem.

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:

The initial stage is characterized by increased excitability and irritability;
The intermediate stage (hypersthenic) is characterized by increased nervous impulses from the peripheral nervous system;
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.

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 to objectively look at the world 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 are necessarily recommended to change their lifestyle, normalize work and rest, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, eat right, give up bad habits, spend more time outdoors 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, and insomnia 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.

To extinguish your anger, irritation - avoid red.
At the time of the onset of a bad mood, exclude 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 in case of neurosis, we recommend consulting a doctor.

With restless sleep, general weakness, those with neurasthenia, pour a teaspoon of verbena herb with a glass of boiling water, then leave for an hour, take in small sips throughout the day.
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;
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.
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.

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, timely therapy 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 will 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 is very important to give yourself proper rest, eat right, sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, take daily walks, play sports.

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Why is neurosis dangerous?

Not every person benefits from the frantic pace of modern life. Psychological stress at work, household chores, traffic jams in big cities, all these factors can provoke a neurosis. It is possible to recognize a neurotic disorder by certain symptoms characteristic of this disease. Many people do not even think about the danger of neurosis and what consequences may arise if the disease is ignored.

What is the danger of neurosis?

Every year, an increasing number of neurotics are recorded all over the world - people suffering from one form or another of neurosis. This is the most common disease of the nervous system, which affects absolutely all age groups of the population. Most often, people from 25 to 45 years old turn to psychotherapists with this problem.

If a neurotic disorder is not treated, the following consequences may occur:

Decreased performance and quality of life

With neurosis, concentration of attention sharply decreases, memory deteriorates, mental activity slows down, and fatigue sets in. A person ceases to perform his duties qualitatively, the usual work now requires great effort. Also, sleep disturbance, the main symptom of neurosis, leads to a decrease in working capacity.

The emergence of new and exacerbation of old chronic diseases

Neurotic disorder covers not only the mental, but also the somatic sphere human body. Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems make themselves felt. With neurosis, the risk of getting colds and infectious diseases increases several times.

Deterioration of family environment

The main companions of neuroses are irritability, tearfulness, irascibility, anxiety. The aggravation of these qualities leads to scandals and quarrels in the family, the emergence of misunderstanding and alienation.

The emergence of various phobias and obsessive states

The life of neurotics can hardly be called normal. In their lives there are always some fears, unnecessary memories, thoughts about their uselessness to others.

The consequences of neurosis do not look very personal, but they can and should be fought. Timely appeal for qualified help will completely get rid of a psychological disorder.

Symptoms of a neurotic disorder

The appearance of a neurosis is difficult to go unnoticed. Usually, the first to notice the onset of the disease are close people or work colleagues. Neuroses are characterized by mental and physical symptoms.

Vulnerability, touchiness, irritability, tearfulness for no apparent reason.
Memory impairment, slowness, fatigue.
Sleep dysfunction. Patients do not feel rested after the night, the morning begins with a headache and a feeling of nervous exhaustion. Sleep is most often superficial, with frequent awakenings and nightmares.
The threshold of sensitivity of the body rises. The neurotic does not tolerate loud music, bright lights or sudden changes in weather conditions.
A person cannot forget the incident that caused the neurosis. He constantly returns his thoughts to the traumatic situation, thereby only aggravating his mental disorder.
The occurrence of any stressful situation leads to a nervous breakdown.
Decreased self-esteem.
Decreased sexual activity of the patient.

Physical symptoms of neurosis include:

Increased blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, the appearance of dark circles before the eyes;
palpitations, increased sweating, trembling limbs;
Violation of the gastrointestinal tract: constipation or loose stools, increased gas formation;
Frequent urge to urinate;
Violation of appetite: its complete absence or vice versa excessive voracity;
Rapid fatigue, feeling of sluggishness in the muscles.

What other dangers are fraught with a neurotic disorder? First of all, this is a clear decline in the standard of living, deterioration in relationships with others, loss of work, and much more.

Causes of neurosis

The main cause of a neurotic state is the impact of a psychological factor on the nervous system. One of the main causes of a neurotic disorder is the individual characteristics of the character and the nervous system as a whole.

Also, the causes leading to the appearance of neurosis can be:

Frequent nervous tension.
Surrounding reality: poor living conditions, financial instability, unsettled personal life, lack of moral support from relatives and friends, features of parental upbringing.
Overweight. Excess weight reduces self-esteem, leads to depression, affects metabolic processes in the body.
genetic predisposition. Very often, specialists record neurotic disorders in a whole generation of relatives.
Personal characteristics. People who are particularly vulnerable, reserved, suspicious, intolerant of criticism addressed to them, often turn to psychotherapists for help.
Children's psychological trauma. People who experienced humiliation from their peers in childhood often experience psychological problems in adulthood.

Most often, a neurotic disorder is caused by prolonged exposure to a stress factor or a difficult situation from which it is difficult to find a way out (illness or death of a loved one, inability to get a job). Good work and other). At the beginning of the impact of a negative psychological factor, the body tries to resist it. If the intensity of this influence does not decrease within a certain time, the adaptive capabilities of the psyche decrease, and a neurotic disorder develops. Gradually, mental balance is disturbed and it is extremely difficult to get out of this state without the help of a specialist.

Treatment of neurosis

What can neurosis lead to if left untreated? This question is most often asked by people who do not want to go to see a psychotherapist. Many are embarrassed to turn to psychologists, and this is a big mistake. The disease is easier to defeat if you start treatment when the first symptoms of a mental disorder appear.

Currently, there are several methods of getting rid of a nervous breakdown: physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy, the use of medications and, of course, psychotherapy. It is psychotherapy that is the main method of treating the disease. All other methods have a beneficial effect only in combination with psychological measures. The task of the psychologist is to identify the main cause of neurosis and eliminate it. If a neurotic disorder is provoked by problems at work, irregular working hours or low wages, then you need to seriously think about changing jobs. The consequences of neurosis are much more difficult to eliminate than to prevent their occurrence. If the situation is not developing in the best way, and talking with a psychologist alone is clearly not enough, the doctor prescribes medication. These may be sedatives or antidepressants.

Any psychological disorder must be treated. If neurosis is not treated, a dangerous form of the disease can develop, in which the patient's life turns into a hellish hell. Due to constant mood swings, friends and relatives will turn away from him, a decrease in efficiency will entail a fall in the career ladder or dismissal, exacerbation of chronic diseases. At the first signs of neurosis, you need to try to cope with the problem on your own or seek help from a specialist.