The obsessive neurosis is a term created by the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud who considered it a mental disorder characterized by the fact that people who suffer from it are constantly preoccupied with thoughts that do not really interest them. People who have an obsessive neurosis are extremely perfectionists and meticulous, which causes them to generate these types of thoughts that, in turn, become obsessive. This leads to compulsive and repetitive behaviors in order to alleviate their discomfort. It is necessary to mention that currently in clinical practice, the term obsessive neurosis is no longer uses and the disorders that most closely resemble it are those of anxiety, specifically it has a lot to do with with the obsessive compulsive disorder. In both cases, the person is aware that they have a problem, however, they lack control over it and no matter how hard they try to remedy it, they cannot put a stop to that situation.
In this Psychology-Online article about Obsessive neurosis: symptoms, characteristics and treatment
Index
- Symptoms and characteristics of obsessive neurosis
- Obsessive neurosis: causes
- Obsessive neurosis: treatment
Symptoms and characteristics of obsessive neurosis.
People who suffer from obsessive neurosis or what is now known as obsessive compulsive disorder, have a series of symptoms and characteristics in common that identify them. Among the main symptoms and characteristics that these individuals present are the following:
Obsessive thoughts
The person may have recurring thoughts about some subjects that do not allow you to be calm. Some topics may be the following:
- Fear of contamination or dirt.
- Feeling the need for things to be extremely orderly.
- Thinking repeatedly about hurting others and / or oneself.
- Continually having thoughts about unwanted topics.
- Constantly thinking that you are going to act inappropriately.
- Having the constant worry that something has been done incorrectly or something important has been missed. For example, doubting whether the door to the house or the gas tap has been closed properly, etc.
Compulsive attitudes
The person with this type of condition tend to carry out compulsive behaviors due to the recurring and intrusive thoughts that appear in your mind, in order to feel relieved by perform them. Some compulsive behaviors most common are the following:
- Perform repetitive behaviors as rituals to reduce the anxiety generated by your thoughts. For example, having recurring thoughts that if you do not touch the table you just touched a few moments ago, something bad could happen to you and it is better not to risk it.
- Repeating some words or phrases of thoughts that you have in mind that are causing you too much stress.
- Make repetitive and irrational gestures in order to stop the anxiety generated by the thoughts with which you are torturing yourself at that time.
Obsessive neurosis: causes.
There are several causes by which this type of condition can be triggered. These are some physical, genetic and psychological factors that are in constant interaction:
- Genetic factors: obsessive neurosis has been found to be easy to detect in some families, so people who have a first-degree relative with this type of condition, they are more likely to be able to also develop it.
- Physical factors: Obsessive neurosis is related to chemical imbalances in the brain that a person may present. There are some specific alterations that facilitate the development of this type of disorder. For example, it has been found that poor function of the orbito-fronto-caudate circuit can lead to this type of disorder.
- Environmental and psychological factors: People who have experienced childhood trauma or situations that they could not control are more likely to develop this type of condition. For example, being a victim of sexual abuse, being abandoned, being exposed to high stress levels almost daily.
Obsessive neurosis: treatment.
It is necessary for the person to receive Psychological Support as part of the treatment. Treatment of obsessive neurosis can be carried out with a therapist or with a psychoanalyst.
In the case of cognitive behavioral therapy, the treatment consists of modifying those obsessive thoughts that do not let the person be calm and that he manages to replace them with more positive and constructive ones. He also debates with the patient about those obsessive thoughts that do not allow him carry out their daily activities in a normal way to create more awareness about them and their veracity. Relaxation and meditation exercises are also taught to help you gain more self-control. (a) and a better management of his emotions and, therefore, also of his actions, thus preventing them from taking over him (her).
On the other hand, it is also important to mention that sometimes it is necessary, depending on the severity of the situation, that the person take, along with psychological treatment, a Pharmacotherapy to be determined by the psychiatrist. Anxiolytics or antidepressants are regularly used.
In the following article, we show more information about how to eliminate obsessive compulsive thoughts.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Obsessive neurosis: symptoms, characteristics and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
