The Differences Between Psychosis and Neurosis

Introduction to Psychosis

Psychosis is a functionally disruptive symptom of many psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, neurologic, and medical conditions. It is the defining feature of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, a common but variable feature of mood and substance use disorders, and a relatively common feature of many developmental, acquired, and degenerative neurologic and medical conditions. Therefore, psychosis is an important target of evaluation and treatment in neurologic and psychiatric practice.

Cause

No one knows exactly what causes psychosis. There are different reasons why someone may experience psychosis. It is thought that many people experience psychosis because of life experiences, which are largely out of their control. Besides, genetics may affect who develops psychosis for the reason that mental illness can run in families. But it isn't possible to separate genetics and life experiences to work out the cause of mental illness. Studies also suggest that changes to brain chemistry may cause psychosis but the mechanism is unknown.

Diagnosis

Psychosis is diagnosed through a psychiatric evaluation by watching the person's behavior and asking questions about what they're experiencing. X-rays and medical tests may be performed to determine whether there is an underlying illness causing the symptoms.

Treatment

Typical and atypical antipsychotics are similar in their beneficial effects on the frequency and severity of hallucinations and delusions. Clozapine is particularly effective in treatment-resistant populations and reduces suicide risk. Among patients with schizophrenia, atypical antipsychotics improve cognition and life satisfaction and may modestly contribute to improvements in functional status. Moreover, meta-analyses suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left temporoparietal region is an effective treatment for the auditory verbal hallucinations that are refractory to treatment with antipsychotics. Besides, psychosocial interventions also are essential elements of the treatment for patients with primary and secondary psychoses, especially during the stable phase of illness. Furthermore, caregiver and family support also should be provided concurrently with patient-oriented therapies.

Introduction of Neurosis

Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving chronic distress, but neither delusions nor hallucinations. It is distinct from psychotic disorders in that the individual with neurotic symptoms has a firm grip on reality, and the psychotic patient does not. There are several major traditional categories of psychological neuroses. These mainly include anxiety neurosis, depressive neurosis, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, somatization, post-traumatic stress disorder, and compensation neurosis.

Cause

The causes of neurosis are primarily internal conflicts which solution is often impossible, or is associated with a large dose of stress. Trauma resulting from a tragedy, or lack of proper parental care in childhood can lead to nervous disorders. Anxiety leads to lower self-esteem, which can accumulate over time and push the patient to suicide.

Diagnosis

If a neurotic disorder is suspected after evaluation by a thorough physical examination and detailed patient history, a psychologist or psychiatrist will usually interview the patient and administer clinical assessments to evaluate mental status. Tests that may be administered include the sixteen personality factor questionnaire (16PF), the neuroticism extraversion and openness (NEO-R) scale, and the social maladjustment schedule.

Treatment

Neurosis would be treated with standard psychological care. This disease should be treated by a counselor, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental healthcare professional. Treatment for a neurosis depends on the presenting symptoms and the level of discomfort they are causing the patient. Treatment may include psychoactive drugs, psychotherapy, relaxation exercises, or cognitive behavioral therapy. Other methods include creative therapies, such as art therapy or music therapy, which have also been used to tackle mental disturbances similar to neuroses.