neurosis
/njʊəˈroʊsɪs/
Definition
A historical psychological term referring to various mental or emotional disturbances—typically involving anxiety or trauma—that disrupt daily functioning but do not involve a loss of contact with reality.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'neuron' (nerve) and the suffix '-osis' (a condition or process). It was coined in the late 18th century to describe disorders thought to originate in the nervous system before being popularized by Freud to characterize unconscious psychic conflicts.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe how everyday mental health struggles were categorized by 20th-century psychiatry, noting that such labels often failed to address the systemic societal pressures causing the individual's distress.
How behavioral health tech and AI can redesign society for a better future.
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today