Neurotic Personality

NeuroticA term traditionally applied to a class of behavior that has been described as deviating from conventional ways of responding.

Psychoneuroses (Neuroses)Mental disorders that do not represent a break from reality; disorders that interfere with normal functioning, do not call for hospitalization

*Dropped the term “neurosis” under the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders - III (DSM – III )

Modern ClassificationThe Primary diagnostic system used in the United States today is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – a publication of the American Psychiatric Association.

First published on 1952 (DSM); undergone 4 major revisions.DSM-II (1963), DSM-III (1979); DSM-IV (1994)

DSM-IV Disorders are grouped into 16 major diagnostic classes:“Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood or Adolescence”“Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic and Other Cognitive Disorders”“Mental Disorders Due To A Generic Medical Condition”“Substance-Related Disorder”“Organic Mental Syndromes and Disorders”“Schizophrenia and Others Psychotic Disorders”

“Mood Disorders”“Anxiety Disorders”

“Somatoform Disorders”“Factitious Disorders”

“Dissociative Disorders”“Sexual and General Identity Disorders”

“Eating Disorders”“Sleep Disorders”

“Impulsive-Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified”“Personality Disorders”

“Other conditions that may be a Focus of Clinical Attention”

Anxiety Disorders• Once described as neurosis; manifests itself principally in diffused and

consciously experience feeling of anxiety and apprehension.

Signs and symptoms:Patient is always tense, worried, easily accepted and preoccupied with future calamities or past errors.

Conversion Disorders• Patient develops a physical ailment in which in one way or another

protects his/her in their situation of difficulty.

*Hysteria – a behavior disorder in which psychological conflicts are converted into physical symptoms.

Dissociative Disorders• An interruption or breakdown with or breakdown of the conscious

contact with reality, thus giving rise to some loss of personal identity.

*Amnesia – the individual forgets temporarily all experiences associated with the kind of self he/she wishes to forget

Phobic Disorders (Phobias)• An irrational dread of an object, person act or situation; irrational

dread that may developed toward any imaginable aspect of an environment

Common Types of Phobias

AcrophobiaFear of high places

AgoraphobiaFear of open places

AlgophobiaFear of pain

ClaustrophobiaFear of closed places

HematophobiaFear of the sight of blood

HydrophobiaFear of water

MonophobiaFear of being alone

MysophobiaFear of contamination

NecrophobiaFear of corpses or cadaver

NyctophobiaFear of darkness

PharmacephobiaFear of medicine

PhotophobiaFear of strong light

ThanatophobiaFear of death

ToxophobiaFear of being poisoned

ZoophobiaFear of animals

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders• Symptoms are organized around a core of obsessions and

compulsions.

Obsession – a useless or irrational thought which persistently forces itself into the consciousness of the individual.

Compulsions – are useless or irrational acts which the person feels compelled to carry out; manifested occasionally in normal adjusted persons.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders• Manias - Group of compulsions in a criminal type which are very

disturbing to the individual unless carried out.

Examples:

Coprolalia – the impulse to utter obscene words Kleptomania – an irresistible impulse to steal Pyromania – an urge to set fires Homicidal – a compulsion to kill

Depressive Disorders• Precipitated by a saddening stress situation to which the depressive

reaction is immediate and severe.

The depression is not accompanied by delusional beliefs. (Coville, 1989)

Patient complaints of restlessness, lack of concentration, and tension.

HypochondriasisRefers to worry about having a serious illness; result of an

inaccurate perception of the condition of body or mind despite the absence of an actual medical condition.

How to Avoid Psychological Disorders

Avoid constantly complaining

about life

Avoidself-pity

Avoidlooking for motives in people

Avoidtoo high standards

AvoidContinually analyzing yourself and your thought

Avoidimproper diet and try to get adequate sleep each night