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What Is Psychoneurotic Disability?

The term "psychiatric disability" refers to a mental condition that interferes with a person's ability to lead a normal life. Some disabilities are so daunting that it may cause the individual to not have a professional or social life. Other types of disabilities, however, can be manageable with the help of professionals. One such condition is psychoneurotic disability. Psychoneurotic Disability is a mental disorder that affects a small portion of the population. The condition is characterized by the difficulty in dealing with inner-thought struggles.

  1. Definition

    • Psychoneurosis, or neurosis, is a type of mental disorder that causes an individual to feel episodes of distress, depression, anxiety and unhappiness. Theorists, including Sigmund Freud, claim that the condition is caused by the repression of certain memories or thoughts. The feeling of anxiety forms because the mind is trying to keep such feelings from surfacing into consciousness. Others claim that neurosis is a caused by the inability to respond to stress properly. Instead of dealing with stress by attempting to accomplish tasks in a rational manner, the person succumbs to an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

    Effects

    • Neurosis, despite its symptoms, does not necessarily incapacitate a person. It is unnecessary to hospitalize or segregate an individual suffering from the condition. Those suffering from this condition do not lose track of reality, as opposed to other conditions. Patients may suffer from the inability to concentrate or may find it difficult to socialize; however, certain types of treatment exist to help them deal with the disability.

    Types

    • There are five known types of psychoneurosis: obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform disorder, anxiety disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each type is defined by its main symptom, but individuals may suffer from more than category.

    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of neurosis in which an individual obsesses over repeated and unwanted thoughts that will compulsorily cause him to perform certain actions. The action is performed in an attempt to get rid of the obsessive thought. Behaviors may include constant hand washing, cleaning, organizing or door locking to rid the thought of uncleanliness or insecurity. Failure to act can cause the person to suffer from severe anxiety.

    Somatoform Disorder

    • Somatoform Disorder is the physical manifestation of neurosis. The disorder causes an individual to suffer from physical symptoms when under distress. Symptoms include back pain, indigestion, deafness, paralysis or blindness. Somatoform is experienced by 1 to 5 percent of the world population.

    Anxiety Disorder

    • Anxiety Disorder is the main type of neurosis in which a person suffers from an intense feeling of dread. The disorder manifests itself into acute anxiety attacks or long episodes of intense panic. Those suffering from anxiety disorder may also experience excessive perspiration, heart palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, headaches and loss of appetite.

    Depression

    • Neurotic depression is different from normal depression in that it is not severe or prolonged. It is felt in connection to other symptoms of psychoneurosis. Those suffering from this type of condition will experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, overall pessimism, fatigue, lethargy, insomnia and reduced appetite.

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) manifests in individuals who have suffered from a traumatic event in their lives. Such experiences may include military combat, natural disaster, torture or kidnapping. Those suffering from PTSD may experience diffuse anxiety, nightmares and guilt.

    Overall Treatment

    • Psychoneurotic treatment will vary according to the type of psychoneurosis an individual is suffering from, but there are general treatments for the condition as a whole. Psychoanalysis is the most prevalent type of treatment for psychoneurosis. The treatment involves helping the individual deal with the root cause of his condition through psychiatric therapy. The individual becomes aware of the his repressed thoughts or memories and therefore starts to recondition himself to react differently. The use of psychotropic drugs is another form of treatment to try to help the individual boost their self-worth and self-esteem. Drugs will typically include anti-anxiety anti-depressant, and anti-psychotic agents.

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