How to know if you are neurotic

The word neurotic became popular, losing part of its original meaning in the process. Although more than a century ago it was used in the field of psychiatry and psychology, It actually took shape in the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud.

Generally, someone who shouts a lot or is very confrontational is called neurotic. Actually, this is not accurate. Although back in the 18th century people spoke of neurosis when there was instability in emotions, the meaning that this word later adopted is very different.

In Freud’s terms, almost everyone is neurotic, although the intensity of this condition varies.. From that perspective, any human being develops a margin of neurosis; By entering the culture and becoming part of a society, giving up personal desires, we generate tension.

Freud and the neurotic

For Freud, someone is neurotic when must have repressed their basic impulses, or drives, depending on cultural demands, but against their own desires. In other words, he has repressed himself because he finds no other option, but deep down he has not given up those basic impulses.

When repressed, tension is created : wants, but can’t. In Freudian terms, there is a struggle between the superego, an instance that determines duties, and the id, an instance that represents the most basic desires. This leads to that individual feeling continually in a state of dissatisfaction.

The tension occurs unconsciously, so the neurotic simply feels that nothing satisfies him, that conflict and unresolved doubts predominate. This way, spends a lot of energy resisting reality, but at the same time fails to organize a way to actively change it, except through that resistance without precise direction.

The traits of the neurotic

The neurotic has extra anxiety in almost everything he does. Their restlessness and dissatisfaction go beyond everyday stress, but it is similar to said stress. The difference is that, when there is neurosis, such stress remains, even if there is no reason to feel it.

The neurotic is not always loud and is identified by his bad temper. In fact, they are most often quiet and sullen and only eventually explode. Yes indeed, They remain in conflict with themselves and with the world. Its essential feature is that internal tension that does not dissipate. They feel tense about leaving, or entering, or walking or not walking.

Intense neurosis is more common in those who live in large cities. Also in those who live in poverty or have gone through experiences of abuse, abandonment or neglect during childhood. The neurotic finds it very difficult to be spontaneous, to laugh: he finds it very difficult to relax..

Are you neurotic?

As we already noted, in one way or another almost all of us have traits of neurosis, because in one way or another it is a price that is paid for being part of a culture and a society. However, In the mature person, the renunciation of basic desires is the result of rationality and not of repression. simply.

However, There is a basic test to evaluate our degree of neurosis. The essential questions are the following:

Do you consider yourself a hypersensitive person? Do you tend to feel like a victim of others? If someone points out a mistake, do you justify or defend yourself before analyzing whether it is true? Do you think you feel anxious relatively frequently? Do you think that others notice a lot? in yourself? Are you jealous and distrustful? Do you like to criticize others? Do small problems often become big ones for you? Do you feel exaggerated optimism or depression? Do you have difficulties in your sexual life? Do you frequently feel upset? , with almost everyone? Do you have little or no ambition to improve? Do you frequently think about changing jobs or are you frequently fired? Are you excessively meticulous in one or several aspects of your life? Are you very messy? Do you lie without need to do it? Are you superstitious? Do you do things that you later consider stupid? Do you have any type of compulsive behavior? Do you suffer from exaggerated fears or phobias? Do you get angry easily? Do you have a hard time concentrating? Do you have diseases that the doctor can’t diagnose? Do you have headaches very often? Do you have problems sleeping?

If you answered “yes” to four questions, it is clear that you have some neurotic traits. If you answered yes to between four and eight questions, you probably have neurotic behavior. If you answered yes to more than eight questions, you most likely have great difficulty that requires specialized help.

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