Anxiety neurosis. Neurotic depression. Phobic neurosis

Currently, within the framework of the above main forms of neurosis, depending on the predominance of certain disorders, anxiety neurosis , neurotic depression, hypochondriac neurosis, and also phobic neurosis are distinguished . 

An anxiety neurosis usually occurs with frustration associated with chronic dissatisfaction with the official, family, sexual and other situations, especially in cases caused by intrapsychic conflicts. It is characterized by a sense of anxiety, an indefinite threat, the expectation of an unclear danger, etc. A sense of anxiety disturbs the behavior of patients: it is difficult for them to concentrate, they are easily excitable, often incapable of purposeful activity. In the period of exacerbation, somatization of disorders is possible. 

Neurotic depression more often occurs in people with orthodox thinking, in straightforward “truth-seekers” and at the same time internally vulnerable, dependent on other people who need their attention and are afraid of loneliness. 

Neurotic depression can develop as a result of the transformation of other forms of neurosis, in particular anxiety neurosis. It is characterized by a predominance of feelings of sadness, sadness, joylessness, pessimism. These manifestations are either combined with asthenic (asthenic depression), or a more pronounced affect of anxiety (anxiety depression). 

Phobic neurosis usually develops in anxious individuals who are prone to delayed affect, usually as a result of an intrapsychic conflict. Patients in certain conditions have specific fears, accompanied by anxiety, correlated with a specific object or situation. 

Phobic manifestations are diverse, but in each patient they are stereotypical: phobias associated with a state of health (carcinophobia, thanatophobia, cardiophobia, etc.), fear of transport, confined space (claustrophobia), etc.  

A characteristic feature – fears are experienced as alien, patients understand their baselessness and absurdity. There is a change in behavior in accordance with the nature of fears: avoiding physical stress, transportation, crossing streets, etc. The situation is especially aggravated if peculiar rituals are added – movements or actions performed contrary to reason to prevent possible disaster. For example, at first they put a sock on the left foot and only then on the right (hence the phrase “get up on the wrong foot”), before leaving the house, they certainly cast a spell, etc.

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