neurosis etymology

Etymology:

  • Greek "neuron" (nerve) + "-osis" (condition)

Meaning:

Neurosis refers to a class of mental disorders characterized by anxiety, excessive worry, and obsessive or compulsive thoughts and behaviors.

Origin:

The term "neurosis" was first used in the late 18th century by Scottish physician William Cullen to describe a group of mental disorders that he believed were caused by abnormalities in the nervous system. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, neurologists and psychiatrists developed various theories about the origins and nature of neuroses, including:

  • Psychoanalytic theory: Sigmund Freud proposed that neuroses were caused by unconscious conflicts between the id (instinctual drives), superego (moral conscience), and ego (reality mediator).
  • Behaviorism: B.F. Skinner and others maintained that neuroses were learned behaviors reinforced by negative consequences or the avoidance of anxiety.
  • Cognitive theory: Aaron Beck and other cognitive psychologists suggested that neuroses were caused by distorted or maladaptive thought patterns.

Modern Understanding:

Today, the term "neurosis" is less commonly used in psychological diagnoses. Instead, specific mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder are identified and treated based on their characteristic symptoms and criteria.

neurosis relate terms

  • neurotic

    Etymology The word neurotic comes from the Greek word νεῦρον neuron meanin

  • neuro

    Etymology The word neuro comes from the Ancient Greek word νεῦρον neuron wh

  • neurosis

    Etymology Greek neuron nerve osis condition Meaning Neurosis refers to a

  • neuro

    Etymology The word neuro comes from the Ancient Greek word νεῦρον neuron wh

  • nerve

    Etymology The word nerve comes from the Latin word nervus which means sinew tendo

  • primal

    Etymology Latin primus first Indo European pre before Meaning First in

  • compulsion

    Etymology Latin compulsio act of driving together From compellere to drive togeth

  • disturbance

    Etymology French disturbance from Old French disturbanche Latin disturbatio from distu

  • martyr

    Etymology The word martyr originates from the Greek word μάρτυς martys whic

  • caterpillar

    Etymology The word caterpillar has its origins in Old French where it was known as ch

  • dauphin

    Etymology and Origin The word dauphin derives from the Latin word delphinus meaning

  • forgive

    Etymology The word forgive originates from the Old English word forgifan which mean

  • speakeasy

    Etymology The term speakeasy originated in the United States during the Prohibition er

  • loyalty

    Etymology Old French leauté Latin legalitas legality faithfulness Latin lex