MDD

Switch Currency:

  • Relationship Coaching London
  • Relationship Coaching London
    Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors

Neurotic behaviour examples

 

Neurotic behaviour examples

Neurotic behaviour examples let’s talk about it. A lot of people feel stressed or anxious from time to time. You may get worried before a job interview, and it feels like a knot in your stomach, you may get stressed about money or about your child when he is not home before 8.00 pm. It is normal; there is nothing to worry about. But it becomes a problem when this stress does not go away. Obsessive or negative thoughts can stick in your mind to the point that you are unable to handle daily situations. This is related to neurotic behaviour and a number of neurotic behaviour examples which affect individuals. It may or may not be because of mental illness. In this article, I am going to cover this topic, and you will be able to know how to deal with neurotic behaviour, its treatment, and some general tips on how to deal with people having neurotic behaviour. So let’s get started:

Neuroticism definition

According to neuroticism definition, it is one of the five high-order personality traits from the Big Five personality theory. People who are neurotic tend to be moody more than average people and also experience feelings like worry, anxiety, frustration, jealousy, envy, anger, fear, guilt, loneliness, and depressed mood. People suffering from neuroticism respond to stress in the worst possible way. They interpret ordinary situations as horrible or threatening and little frustrations as difficult to handle.

Some people call it emotional instability, and others call it poor ability to handle stress or lack of self-control. According to the neuroticism definition, people who score more on neuroticism show extreme behavior while those who score low are stable emotionally and less reactive to the stress. They are even-tempered and tend to be calm.

Neurotic synonym

Neurotic Synonyms are words that you can use in place of neurotic.  Some of the Neurotic synonyms include compulsive, obsessive, disturbed, distraught, unbalanced, maladjusted, mentally disturbed, paranoid, mentally deranged, and unstable.  

Below you will learn everything about neurotic behaviour examples

 

Neurosis

Neurotic behavior is associated with neurosis, which is a word used in the 1700s for the very first time for describing emotional, mental, and even physical reactions that are irrational and drastic. The term neurosis was removed from the diagnostic panel by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. Now neurosis does not stand alone, but doctors put its symptoms in the same category of anxiety disorder.    

Neurosis must not be confused with psychosis, which means loss of touch with reality. It is also not linked with neuroticism, which is a personality trait. It can be simply defined as poor ability to cope up with the environment or inability to change your life patterns and inability to develop a more satisfying personality. 

Neurotic depression

The concept of neurotic depression was introduced by Joseph Wolpe in 1986 based on the idea of neurosis. On a broader note, neurotic depression is associated with a person who is emotionally unstable. Secondary depressions associated with major personality disorders, drug use disorders, and neurosis fall under this category.

The research suggested that neurotic depression was more common in youngsters, and most neurotic patients have made suicidal attempts in the past. Moreover, they were less likely to show delusions or memory deficits. 

Here are causes of neurotic depression:

  • Severe or prolonged anxiety
  • Cognitively-based anxiety
  • Secondary to social anxiety
  • Unresolved bereavement

Neurotic disorder

The neurotic disorder is a collection of psychiatric disorders but with no psychotic symptoms. It is said that these neurotic disorders cause major suffering in people, their families, and in the end, society. It is necessary to deal with these disorders, and if left unchecked, it can cost society a lot. There is a neurotic disorder list that explains better what kind of mental diseases fall under this category. 

 

According to Croft-Jeffreys & Wilkinson (1989), the estimated cost to the UK of neurotic illness in 1985 was œ 373,000,000. A decade later, the sum must exceed half a billion pounds a year. After all, over a third of sickness certificates are for psychiatric illness, much of this being neurotic (Jenkins, 1985).

Neurotic disorders list

Here is the neurotic disorders list:

  • Dissociation disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Adjustment disorders
  • Phobias – specific and generalized
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Somatization disorders
  • Post-traumatic disorder

Neurotic behavior

Mainly neurotic behavior is an unconscious and automatic effort for managing deep anxiety. The line that differentiates normal and neurotic behavior is intensity. We all have stressful thoughts and show stressful behavior. But when these kinds of behaviors and thoughts last longer than usual, it becomes a problem.  

Neurotic Behavior examples

Neurotic behavior is not the only problem of one person, but it also affects people around him. It can negatively affect his education, career, and relationships. But how to know if someone is showing neurotic behavior? Here are some of the common neurotic behavior examples:

General grumpiness

For instance, your annoying neighbor is showing neurotic behavior if he keeps on complaining about minor issues. He may be asking you to keep quiet all the time or stay away from his property line. He may also ask you to keep your kids off of his sidewalk. So he is probably showing you his neurotic side. 

 

Complaining about physical issues with no scientific basis

Some people are too conscious about their physical health, so they keep on complaining about physical symptoms having no medical cause. When a person talks a lot about body symptoms with no diagnosable symptoms, they frustrate others. This can badly affect relationships.

Road rage

People who have road rage are a clear indication that they are showing neurotic behavior. People make mistakes during driving, and it happens. Some may have broken cars or experience too much stress on the road and stop driving, but others keep on driving and get well. Showing anger at little mistakes means a person is showing neurotic behavior.  

Guilty over minor things

It is one of the most common Neurotic Behavior examples. People suffering from neurotic behavior may seem guilty all the time, especially about things that were not in their control. This is an extremely common neurotic behaviour example. They will also seem guilty when something they have done is very minor, and no one bothered about it. Because of this guilt, they may also avoid talking to you or making eye contact. Honestly, it is unnecessary, but you can expect anything from a neurotic person.

Over awareness about psychological issues

It may seem ironic, but people showing neurotic behavior mostly know about it, but they behave this way anyways. They are obsessed with their mental health issues, and this makes the situation worse. They will analyze themselves all the time and notice serious symptoms but still don’t bother to seek help from professionals. Seeking therapy can be a difficult process but it is important to face such issues. This neurotic behaviour example must be addressed by a professional.

Emotionally stressed over little things.

It is okay to feel sad when something bad has happened, but if you see someone getting upset over little things, it is another example of neurotic behaviour. He might be upset over the spilling of cereal, breaking a nail, or because his friend was 15 minutes late. Stressing out over little things is a problematic neurotic behaviour example.

Neurotic symptoms

Sometimes neurotic behavior is because a person naturally has a neurotic personality. Which we commonly called neuroticism and is a personality type, not a medical problem. A neurotic personality actually has a natural buffer against stress. A person sees daily minor issues far worse than they actually are and then blame themselves for all the negativity and pessimism. They may continuously feel like this: 

 

  • Self-consciousness
  • Hostile
  • Vulnerable
  • Irritated
  • Angry
  • Sad
  • Guilty
  • Worried
  • Anxiety 
  • Sadness or depression
  • Mental confusion
  • low sense of self-worth

Behavioral symptoms

Neurotic symptoms mentioned above will only be felt by the person. If he feels this way, he can contact a doctor for help. But there are certain symptoms that will appear in the individuals behavior. A person may not realize it himself, but people around him will notice these symptoms for sure. These are as follows:

  • vigilance
  • phobic avoidance 
  • compulsive & impulsive acts 
  • lethargy

Cognitive symptoms

  • habitual fantasizing, 
  • cynicism and negativity
  • disturbing or unpleasant thoughts
  • repetition of thoughts and obsession

Interpersonal symptoms

  • socio-culturally inappropriate behaviors 
  • schizoid isolation
  • perfectionism
  • aggressiveness
  • dependency

Neurotic symptoms can also arise because of mental health problems. If a person is already struggling with mental health issues, he is more likely to show neurotic behavior. But you can help them in dealing with these kinds of issues. The main point is these symptoms can vary from person to person based on their personality and severity of the issue.  Having mentioned all the possible symptoms, if you encounter any of these, make sure to take help from a professional.  

Neurotic test

If you wonder whether you are neurotic or not, a neurotic test can help you in this way. There are plenty of tests available online that let you know whether you are neurotic or not. You can try these. Most of these neurotic tests consist of simple questions about your behavior and personality. Some of these questions from the neurotic test are as mentioned below:

  • Do you feel restless most of the time?
  • Do you dislike yourself?
  • Do you worry about things a lot?
  • Do you get panic easily?
  • So you feel irritated all the time?
  • Do you get stressed out easily?
  • Do you feel like down in the dumps?
  • Do you get mad often?
  • Do you fear for the worst?
  • Do you feel blue often?
  • Do you have mood swings a lot?
  • Do you feel threatened in pressure?
  • Do you fill with doubts about things?
  • Do you feel uncomfortable when alone?
  • Do you easily bothered by things happening around? 

All of these questions are selected after research and deeply understanding human psychology. These questions come up with four to five options; based on the option you choose, it is determined if you are neurotic or not, and if you are, what is the severity of the problem. If you find out that you are neurotic via these kinds of tests, you need to visit a professional so that they can guide you properly and suggest a treatment option. Even if you don’t take the test but still feel like you have neurotic symptoms, make sure to take help from a professional.

 

Neurosis treatment

Stats showed that only 12.1% of people receive mental health treatment, which is not very encouraging. Neurosis is also because of mental health problems, and it needs to be treated. Neurosis does not only affect you, but it also affects those around you, including your loved ones. It can ruin your career, and you may end up alone. But if you understand symptoms in time and seek professional help for treatment, you can save yourself from trouble. Here are some possible Neurosis treatments:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves an approach that helps to identify negative thoughts and their changing patterns. What people think affects their behavior. Sometimes we make up a lot of false situations in our head and get scared, which are far from reality, so with the help of CBT, these thoughts are identified and then treated.

A simple CBT technique involves saying “STOP” either aloud or in your head when you are experiencing a rush of irrational baseless thoughts. It is suggested that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in combination with Systematic Desensitization Therapy, can bring remarkable results in Neurosis treatment

Medication

Medication is not recommended in early stages to deal with mental problems as these can be handled better with the help of therapies. But in some cases, medications, in addition to therapy, become necessary to treat severe emotional and physical symptoms. Doctors may prescribe some medication when the condition is really bad. Here are some medications recommended by doctors for neurosis. But this does not mean you can take them on your own as some of them have side effects too. You cannot take them without the recommendation of a doctor

  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) — reduces anxiety and improves mood
  • Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) — work best against anxiety but not for the obsessive-compulsive disorder 
  • Benzodiazepines — are prescribed combined with other anxiety medications
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants — are recommended when SSRIs and SNRIs are failed to bring desirable results.

 

Changing lifestyle habits

But you cannot overcome issues like neurosis just with the help of therapy or medication. If you are not prepared and willing to deal with it mentally, you can’t get rid of neurotic behavior. To bring a positive change in your life, changing your lifestyle habits in addition to regular therapy works best and brings remarkable results. Doctors or your therapist will also recommend you some relaxation or mindfulness techniques and exercises. Also, work on your diet. Make sure to make foods a part of your diet, which re rich in antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, Magnesium, Vitamin C, B6, and E. in addition to this, there are certain foods to avoid, and a doctor can guide you better.

How to deal with a neurotic person

A neurotic person will always be in a depressed mood or will be handling daily life stresses poorly. This kind of person may also suffer from strong feelings of anger, anxiety, and guilt. Living with such a person can be very stressful and challenging. You can learn what you can expect from them, and this can help in making your ride a bit smoother. Here is How to deal with a neurotic person

Understanding the neurotic behavior

If you think that the person is neurotic, you should do a little research on this so that you can better understand the issue. But understand symptoms of neurosis can vary from person to person. Find out what kind of activities, events of behavior trigger severe neurotic behavior in the person or whether there is a bad past experience that made them neurotic? Understand how a neurotic person can react to stressful situations.

Help in understanding and dealing with his feelings.

I know it is not easy to deal with a neurotic persona and living around them when all they do is complain and are stressed. But it is not a time to be selfish. You need to be there for them. Most importantly, you need to be patient and help them in understanding their feelings. You need to give them some time to open up about their problems. Make them feel that you can support them, and they can talk to you about anything.  

Support neurotic person

A neurotic person may be left alone because of their extreme behavior. But if you love them, you should not do this. You should be there to support them; it will encourage them to get better and better. Little words of kindness can make their day. Tell them that they are doing well, and you love them for being this much strong. Help them in dealing with their guilt.

 

Reassure them if something bad has happened, it is not their fault. Do not judge them; it will only make a situation worse. I am not saying that you should encourage their negative behavior, but you need to show patience.

Encourage them to seek professional help.

If you are wondering How to deal with a neurotic person, this is the best you can do for them. It is good to help them in improving themselves, but a professional can understand their situation better. So you need to encourage them that they should go to see a professional. But do not force them or rush things taking this step is a personal choice. Make them understand with kindness how important it is for them. Sooner or later, they will understand this and will be willing to do what you are saying once they are ready and recognize the benefits. 

How to stop being neurotic in relationships

Neurotic behavior can ruin your relationships and can take your loved ones away from you. So you need to deal with it before it is too late. Here is how to stop being neurotic in relationships:

Being mindful can help

Neurotic patterns can affect your thoughts, and you may indulge in them, but you need to step back from it and figure out what is the matter. Studies show that mindfulness can reduce negative thoughts. Asking yourself questions like what I am thinking or how I am feeling can help you a lot.

Relax yourself

It may seem hard, but taking a break from regular activities and taking deep breaths can prove helpful. This way, you can clearly think about your behavior in a relationship. And you can bring change in your behavior with your partner so that you can peacefully enjoy it.

Self-acceptance

If you are wondering how to stop being neurotic in relationships? This is the best you can do. Self-acceptance helps you in moving on from negative thoughts that are embedded in your mind. This is an excellent way of healthy grieving. You need to accept that there is a problem, and then you two can work on it together as a team.

 

Talk to your partner.

If you feel like you have neurotic symptoms, and it is affecting your relationship, it would be better to talk to your partner. This way, you can talk about your issues and be open about everything.

Couple counseling

If you or your partner just noticed some neurotic symptoms or you feel some of the neurotic behaviour examples resonate with you, take help from a professional, and ask your partner to be there for you. But if neurosis has almost ruined your relationship, it would be better to consider couples counseling too. This will help in solving all issues between you two in the presence of an expert. Call 03333443853 and have a free consultation today with a qualified coach

Further reading

Relationship Courses
All Services
Editorial
Improve my relationship
I think my boyfriend is cheating on me
Family Therapy

Relationship poems

What to do if a guy doesn’t text you for a week

Stages of a rebound relationship

Feeling used

Treat your inbox

Receive our newsletter on the latest deals and happenings. You can unsubscribe any time you want. Read more on our newsletter sign up

Subscribe
neurotic-behaviour-examples-miss-date-doctor-reg-relationship-coaching-london-couples-therapy-london
SPEAK TO A COACH NOW
CALL NOW