Neurosis — Symptoms, Physical Signs and Treatment

The word "neurosis" is often heard in everyday speech, although it is no longer a medical diagnosis — it is a historical, umbrella term that today encompasses several specific conditions, primarily anxiety disorders and psychosomatic symptoms. In this article, we explain what "neurosis" means in the modern sense, how it manifests in the body, and how it is treated.

What is neurosis

"Neurosis" is a 20th-century term. In the old classification (ICD-10), there was a group called "neurotic disorders," but modern international classifications — ICD-11 (WHO, 2022) and DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022) — have divided this concept into more precise diagnoses: anxiety disorders, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and somatic symptom disorder [2,3]. Therefore, when we say "neurosis," we usually mean one of these conditions. It is important to note: this is not a weakness of will or an "imagined" problem.

Neurosis or nervousness?

These two words are often confused. "Nervousness" usually means irritation or agitation — a temporary state. "Neurosis," on the other hand, refers to a broader, longer-lasting psychological condition that impairs daily functioning and is often accompanied by physical symptoms as well.

Psychological symptoms

• Persistent anxiety, tension, or restlessness;
• Irritability and emotional instability;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Sleep disturbances — difficulty falling asleep or interrupted sleep;
• A constant feeling of fatigue, decreased motivation.

How neurosis manifests in the body

One of the key features of neurosis is that psychological tension often "speaks" through physical complaints. Common somatic (psychosomatic) manifestations include:

• Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat;
• Dizziness and a feeling of weakness;
• A feeling of air hunger, difficulty breathing;
• Numbness or trembling in the hands and feet;
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears;
• Muscle tension, neck and back pain;
• Gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea;
• Fluctuations in blood pressure during periods of nervousness.

These symptoms are real — they are not "imaginary." However, their cause is often psychological tension rather than a disease of a specific organ.

⚠️ First, rule out an organic cause

Before attributing symptoms to "neurosis," it is essential that a doctor rule out physical (organic) causes — heart, thyroid, neurological and other conditions. If you experience severe chest pain, acute shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, or clearly pronounced neurological signs, seek emergency help immediately (112). If examinations do not reveal an organic cause but the symptoms persist, a mental health assessment is the logical next step.

Treatment is effective

Anxiety disorders — the most common "modern name" for neurosis — affect 359 million people worldwide, yet only one in four receives help, even though effective treatment exists [1]. First-line treatment includes psychotherapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy — CBT), which teaches how to manage tension and bodily symptoms; medication is added when necessary. At GSMRC, the treatment plan is developed individually — through psychiatric consultation and psychotherapy.

See also

→ Anxiety disorder — symptoms and treatment

→ Panic attack — symptoms and treatment

→ Stress management and treatment

→ Psychotherapy

→ Psychiatrist consultation

Sources

1. World Health Organization. Anxiety disorders. Fact sheet. WHO; 2025. who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders

2. World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). Geneva: WHO; 2022.

3. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: APA; 2022.