NEUROTIC (PSYCHONEUROTIC) BEHAVIORS

- Are groups of mild functional personality disorders in which there is no gross personality disorganization, the
individual does not lose contact with reality, and hospitalization is not required.
Neurosis – embraces a wide range of behaviors that are the core of most maladaptive life style. Basic to the neurotic life
style are:
1. Neurotic Nucleus- the faulty evaluation of reality and the tendency to avoid rather that to cope with stress. It is
characterized by anxiety, avoidance instead of coping, and blocked personal growth.
2. Neurotic Paradox- the tendency to maintain the life style despite its maladaptive nature. It is characterized by
unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
The “neuroses” are group into the following disorders.
A. Anxiety Disorders
- These are known as “neurotic fear”. When it is occasional but intense, it is called “panic’. When it is mild but
continuous, it is called “worry”.
- This is accompanied by physiological symptoms such as sustained muscular tension, increased blood pressure,
insomnia, etc.
- These disorders are characterized by mild depressions, fear and tensions, and mild stresses.
Classification of Anxiety disorders
Obsessive- Compulsive Disorders
- Characterized by the following: When an individual is compelled to think about something that he do not want
to think about or carry some actions against his will, and the experience of persistent thoughts that we cannot
seem to get out of our minds such as thoughts about haunting situations.
Asthenic Disorders
- Characterized by chronic mental and physical fatigue and various aches and pains. Symptoms include spending
too much sleep to avoid fatigue but to no avail, even feel worse upon awake, headaches, indigestion, back pains,
and dizziness.
Phobic Disorders
- Refers to the persistent fear on some objects or situation that present no actual danger to the person.
Examples of Phobia
Phobia Object of Fear
Acrophobia High Places
Agoraphobia Open places
Algophobia Pain
Astrophobia Storms/ Lightning
Claustrophobia Closed Places
Hematophobia Blood
Mysophobia Contamination/ germs
Hydrophobia/ Aquaphobia Water
Monophobia Being Alone
Nyctophobia Darkness
Ocholophobia Crowds
Patholophobia Disease
Pyrophobia Fire
B. Somatoform Disorders
- Complaints of bodily symptoms that suggest the presence of physical problem but no organic basis can be
found. The individual is pre-occupied with his state of health or diseases.
Classification of Somatoform Disorders
Hypochondriasis
- This refers to the excessive concern about state of health or physical condition.
Psychogenic Pain Disorder
- Characterized by the report of severe and lasting pain.
Conversion Disorders (Hysteria)
- Neurotic pattern in which symptoms of some physical malfunction or loss of control without any underlying
organic abnormality.
Sensory Symptoms of Hysteria
1. Anaesthesia – loss of sensitivity
2. Hyperesthesia – excessive sensitivity
3. Hypesthesia – partial loss of sensitivity to pain
4. Analgesia – loss of sensitivity to pain
5. Paresthesia – exceptional sensation
Motor Symptoms of Hysteria
1. Paralysis – selective loss of function
2. Astasia-abasia – inability to control leg when standing
3. Aphonia – partial inability to speak
4. Mutism – total inability to speak
Visceral Symptoms of Hysteria
1. Chocking sensation
2. Coughing spells
3. Difficulty in breathing
4. Cold clammy extremities
5. Nausea
C. Dissociative Disorders
- A response to an obvious stress characterized by amnesia, multiple personality, and depersonalization.
Amnesia
- Partial or total inability to recall or identify past experiences following a traumatic incident.
1. Brain pathology Amnesia – total loss of memory and it cannot be retrieved by simple means. Requires a long
period of medication.
2. Psychogenic Amnesia – failure to recall stored information and still they are beneath the level of consciousness
but “forgotten material”.
Multiple Personality
- Also called “dual personalities” the reason manifests two or more symptoms of personality usually dramatically
different from each other.
Depersonalization
- The loss of sense of self or the so- called out of body experience. There is a feeling of detachment from one’s
mental processes or body or being in a dream state.
D. Mood Disorders (Affective Disorders)
- Often referred to as effective disorders