Neuroses

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /n(j)ʊˈɹəʊ̯.siːz/

Definitions

1. A range of emotional disorders characterized by anxiety, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, or irrational fears that interfere with daily functioning
2. Psychological conditions involving excessive anxiety and emotional distress, believed to be linked to personality factors and internal conflicts
3. Disruptive mental health issues that manifest as irrational fears or worries, often causing significant discomfort and impacting one's ability to function normally

Etymology: The plural of "neurosis," which is itself built from the Greek "neuron," meaning "sinew" or "nerve" (the Greek word originally covered tendons and ligaments as much as what we now call nerves). The Greek "neuro-" combined with the suffix "-sis," a Greek ending that turns a verb-like action into a noun for a state or condition, so "neurosis" literally names a condition of the nerves. The striking part is how far the word has drifted from its physical sense. The term was coined as a medical label for a disorder thought to arise from the nervous system, not from any visible lesion. Over time it came to describe a broad family of mental distress: persistent anxieties, compulsions and fears that disrupt daily life. Notably, the modern word carries no implication that anything is literally wrong with the nerves at all, which is the reverse of what its parts suggest.

Synonyms: anxieties, phobias, disorders

Antonyms: stability