What Is a Neurotic Person?

Symptoms of neuroses include: 

• Anxiety 
  • Worry
  • Restlessness
  • Feeling on edge
  • Being easily fatigued
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Phobias
• Depression
  • Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
  • Decreased energy or a sense of being “slowed down”
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Sleep problems
  • Appetite changes 
  • Frequent mood swings
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential. You may also visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information.

• Neuroticism, like other personality traits, is usually caused in part by genetics, and in part by environmental influences.

The term “neuroses” is not really used anymore as a diagnosis, and in 1980 it was removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III).

• Depression and anxiety disorders are usually diagnosed with a psychological evaluation. 
• To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms of depression (as listed above) must last at least two weeks and be a change in a person’s previous level of functioning.
• The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. 

Personality traits are not necessarily set in stone and can change over a person’s lifetime. 

Treatments to cope with neurotic traits include: 

• Psychotherapy 
• Mindfulness practices 

Treatments for depression include: 

• Medications
• Antidepressants 
• Mood stabilizers
• Antipsychotic medications
• Psychotherapies
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
• Problem-solving therapy
• Brain stimulation therapies
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) 
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• Light therapy
• Alternative approaches 
• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Nutrition 

Therapies used to treat anxiety disorders include:

• Behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Computerized CBT (FearFighter) 
• Psychodynamic therapy 
• Interpersonal psychotherapy 
• Relaxation therapy
• Supportive psychotherapy
• Mindfulness therapy

Medications used to treat anxiety disorders include: 

• Anti-anxiety drugs such as buspirone (BuSpar)
• Antidepressants
• Benzodiazepines, often used in emergency situations
• Anticonvulsants 
• Antihypertensive drugs

Other treatments used for anxiety disorders and anxiety attacks include: 

• Cranial electrotherapy stimulator (CES)