Causes of neurosis
Among the causes of the development of neurosis in modern science, two components are considered: psychogenic and biological.
The psychogenic causes of neurotic disorders are the inability to adequately respond to external stimuli, which causes stress. The first reason for an inadequate reaction may be low stress tolerance, high susceptibility to even those things that stronger people do not cause any pathological reaction from the psyche. For example, dripping water from a tap in some people can cause severe irritation, while others simply do not notice these sounds. Consequently, the propensity and risk of developing neurosis is much higher in the former. It is impossible to talk about the presence of such a person in psychopathology, it is a personality trait, a character caused by a hereditary, genetic or acquired (consequence of upbringing, social environment) factor.
The second cause of psychogenic neurosis is a strong external stimulus, which is difficult for even people with a “strong psyche” to cope with. Such irritants include chronic stress at work (professional failures, interpersonal relationships, management bias), conflicts at home, domestic problems, health problems, loss of loved ones, financial problems, etc. The risk of neurosis increases with constant overwork, lack of adequate rest, inability to relax.
The biological cause of neurotic disorders is a violation of the metabolism of neurotransmitters, hormones, vitamins, and other biologically active substances responsible for the normal functioning of the central nervous system and higher nervous activity in particular. This reason cannot be considered separately from psychogenic neurosis, since in the end it all comes down to the impaired function of brain neurons, however, what is the primary factor in pathological changes in nerve cells is considered to be the main cause of neurotic disorder.
Symptoms and diagnosis of neurosis
The clinical picture of neurosis is very multifaceted. First of all, all the symptoms of a neurotic disorder can be divided into two large groups: mental and physical. Common to them is reversibility (as a result of treatment, the symptoms disappear without a trace), the absence of pronounced changes, a long and undulating course, exhaustion of the nervous system and a decrease in the quality of life.
Mental symptoms include:
- High fatigue up to chronic fatigue syndrome;
- Sleep disorder, nightmares;
- Irritability (one of the stimuli may be a causative factor of neurosis);
- The presence of anxiety, anxiety, suspiciousness, fear;
- Inability to adequately respond to everyday stresses (minor quarrels, misunderstandings, delayed transport, bad weather, a push from a passerby, etc.);
- Emotional lability (inability to restrain emotions, quick change of opposite emotions);
- Fixing attention on the stimulus (normally a person tries to move away from the stimulus, eliminate it or isolate it; in case of a neurosis, the stimulus only draws attention, it is always discussed, all thoughts about it);
- Cognitive impairment (memory impairment, learning ability);
- Violation of social adaptation (communication with others, fear of new acquaintances);
- Inadequate self-esteem.
An obligatory component of the clinical picture of neurosis is the symptoms of various organ systems (vegetative, somatic symptoms):
- Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, disturbance of gait and balance;
- Increased heart rate, aching pain behind the sternum (“aching heart”), jumps in blood pressure, rhythm disturbances;
- Lack of air, shortness of breath, shallow breathing, feeling of a lump in the throat;
- Abdominal pain, bloating, unstable stool, loss of appetite;
- Sweating, trembling, pain without clear localization, weakness;
- Dysfunction of the genitourinary system.
The main difference between the symptoms of a neurotic disorder and mental illness is the reversibility of the clinical picture, the absence of psychotic symptoms (delirium, hallucinations) and personality changes.
Diagnosis of neurosis consists in a detailed study of complaints from the patient, the identification of other symptoms, the exclusion of organic pathology and severe mental disorders.
Neurosis treatment
Specialists of the K + 31 clinic have extensive experience in the differential diagnosis and treatment of neurosis and neurotic disorders. Thanks to the constant work with this pathology and the exchange of knowledge with the leading world centers of psychiatry and psychological assistance, K + 31 Clinic has developed its own tactics for managing patients with neurosis, from the first treatment to complete recovery.
In Clinic K + 31, in the treatment of neurotic disorders, first of all, non-pharmacological methods are used (psychotherapy):
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy;
- Psychoanalysis;
- Psychotherapeutic trainings;
- Psychodynamic therapy.
In case of neurotic disorders, when the methods of psychotherapy do not have a sufficient effect, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed with an individual selection of specific drugs and their doses.
