Neurotic disorders: causes, symptoms, treatment

What is a neurotic disorder

What is a neurotic disorder? It is a heterogeneous group of dysfunctions that arise as a result of acute or chronic psychological trauma. Symptoms are varied, but maladaptation, phobias, asthenia, obsessions and somatovegetative disturbances are always noted. A person's physical and mental abilities are temporarily weakened. Self-awareness and criticism persist. The diagnosis is made based on complaints, medical history and the person’s life history. To eliminate the problem, they resort to psychotherapy and medication.

Neurotic disorder is characterized

Doctors mean by neuroses a group of pathologies that arise due to the influence of mental trauma. A neurotic disorder is characterized by a deterioration in well-being, mood swings are noted, and somato-vegetative symptoms appear. In severe cases, suicidal thoughts are possible.

Causes of neurotic disorders

Doctors have different opinions regarding the catalyst for neuroses. Some believe that this condition develops due to a genetic predisposition, others – childhood psychological trauma. Children's psyche is weak, their memory is tenacious, any serious stress persists for a long time. Most of the complexes that a person suffers from in adulthood arose in childhood. Women are more susceptible to the disease.

Other causes of neurotic disorders:

• unfavorable environment, poor living conditions;
• prolonged physical overload in combination with stress;
• exhaustion of the nervous system;
• too busy work schedule;
• lack of proper rest;
• alcohol and drug abuse.

Neurotic dysfunctions occur when the body is exhausted.

Classification of neurotic disorders

Disorders are divided into 3 groups:

• hysterical;
• obsessive states;
• asthenic.

This classification of neurotic disorders is not similar to practice. It does not contain approved certain and most common pathologies. The differences lead to different ways of systematizing disorders.

Types of neurotic disorders

When making a diagnosis, doctors take into account the following types of neurotic disorders.

1. Anxious-phobic. The main symptom is a sharp increase in anxiety and the appearance of obsessive fears. This group includes panic attacks, simple and complex phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Obsessive-compulsive. The main symptom is the appearance of obsessive ideas and actions.
3. Asthenic disorders are characterized by asthenic syndrome.
4. Somatoform. Clinically, they are similar to somatic ones, but do not imply a physical basis.
5. Dissociative disorders imply disorders of motor function and sensations. Previously, this disease was classified as hysterical neuroses.

The sooner the patient seeks help, the more favorable the prognosis.

Forms of neurotic disorders

There are such forms of neurotic disorders.

1. The most common is neurasthenia; it is divided into 3 stages. The first phase is characterized by irritability. Mental and physical abilities are not affected. The second stage is characterized by a decrease in working capacity, a person understands this. The third phase is manifested by lethargy, reluctance to do anything, and asthenic syndrome.
2. Hysterical neurosis is the second form. The disease is caused by inappropriate behavior; the person is unpredictable and extremely irritable. There are signs such as seizures, paresis, vomiting, hypotension. The patient also complains of obsessive thoughts, a “lump” in the throat, and insomnia. During an attack, a person screams, lies on the floor, can get into a fight, or injure himself.
3. The third form is depressive neurosis. It is characterized by symptoms such as insomnia, bad mood, loss of the ability to feel joyful emotions, a feeling of burden, and tearfulness. There are also disturbances in heart rhythm, stomach function, slow reaction to events, sexual dysfunction, and hypotension. The patient complains of despondency, sadness appears, and a feeling of uselessness.
4. Obsessive states. With it, the patient is unable to control his thoughts and actions.
5. Hypochondriacal neurosis - there is a fear of a circumstance from which a person cannot find a way out, or a fear of falling ill with an incurable pathology. The condition is complemented by hysteria and obsessions.

Each form requires an individual approach to therapy.

Neurotic disorders in adults

Neurotic disorders in adults have a reversible, relatively mild course, unlike psychoses. According to statistics, the problem is detected in 20% of the population. The causes include a disorder of brain activity responsible for human adaptation. Somatic and mental disturbances appear. Patients are rarely admitted to the hospital; conservative methods are usually successful.

Neurotic disorders in children

In children, the catalyst for the development of neurosis is delays in personality development. Against the background of separation from parents, stress, loss of a loved one, psychological trauma is possible. A child who experiences these situations becomes infantile or acquires neurosis.

Neurotic disorders in children: features of occurrence and course.

1. The age of 7-11 years is considered the affective stage of personality formation. If at this time the child encounters a traumatic factor, his development as a person may be delayed. In adulthood, such people experience emotional instability; a person cannot adequately assess the situation or think about the consequences. The only and beloved children acquire hysterical traits.

2. At the age of 11-14, a teenager learns to independently assess the situation, analyze, and plan his actions. There is a subsequent development of the affective component of the personality. If at this age a stressful situation arises, neuroses are possible in the future. Such teenagers outwardly look older than their peers and are more reasonable, but subconsciously, the synchronicity of personality development is disrupted.

Attention! The most important role in the successful growth of a child is played by the relationship with parents. Those who felt overprotected in childhood and were not allowed to make their own decisions become timid and unsure of themselves. It is in this category of people that neurotic disorders arise.

Causes of mood swings in women

What causes changes in mood and condition in women?

Women who complain about an unstable emotional state are not always able to answer the question of what exactly caused their shaky mood, excessive emotionality, or, conversely, sudden cold equanimity. Sometimes the cause of mood swings is stress - accumulated tension results in depression and apathy; Situational stress can provoke aggression or another form of violent reaction. Stressful situations are sometimes perceived by women as the primary source of mood problems. But not all women can understand that they are really experiencing stress. They complain about their well-being and condition, while claiming that everything is fine in their lives and it is unknown where these “swings” in mood come from.

Emotional instability is inherent in women with thyroid diseases . Their specificity causes mental instability and often causes lethargy, low concentration, and drowsiness.

Hormonal imbalance in general is the breeding ground for emotional surges. This is why instability is typical for teenage girls, pregnant and lactating women, and menopausal women. Changes in hormonal levels during ovulation and before menstruation also provoke increased emotionality and sensitivity (by the way, physical too. This is why we do not recommend that patients with increased sensitivity undergo cosmetic procedures on the days of ovulation and menstruation). HRT (hormone replacement therapy), chosen incorrectly, also has a negative impact on a woman’s balance.

Taking hormonal oral contraceptives can provoke mood “swings” - at the stage of drug selection or when taking an inappropriate drug for a long time.

Irregular or insufficient sex life can also affect a woman’s mental and emotional state. In addition, infrequent sex is a risk factor for the development of many gynecological diseases.

Everyone knows that bad habits (alcohol, smoking, drug use) “shatter” the psyche, disrupting neural connections, putting unnecessary stress on the nervous system, liver, and heart. The result is anxiety, suspiciousness, panic and other unpleasant manifestations.

Lack of physical activity, lack of sleep, high mental stress - these factors also provoke instability of emotions.

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