Neurosis and Psychosis

Meaning of Neurosis 

Neurosis (plural – neuroses) refers to a type of mental disorder that leads to distress and deficit in the proper functioning of humans. Generally, the main characteristics of Neuroses are extreme depression, anxiety or any such feeling that indicates unhappiness of a person. It is also called psychoneurosis (plural – Psychoneuroses).

Causes of Neurosis

1. Genes– A person from a family where one or more members had Neurosis is more likely to have it.
2. Environment – If a person is surrounded by a negative, toxic or harmful environment, they might get diagnosed with Neurosis. 

Meaning of Psychosis

Psychosis is a severe mental disorder where a person loses some contact with reality. It is a type of mental illness. This condition affects the way of processing information of the brain. This results in hallucinations and delusions. 

Causes of Psychosis

1. Genes – This mental disorder is passed on genetically. A person belonging to a family with a Psychosis history is more likely to have it.
2. Hormones – Hormonal factors may play a role in causing Psychosis. 
3. Trauma – Any deep trauma may also lead to Psychosis. 
4. Lack of sleep – Lack of sleep and rest may also trigger Psychosis.

Difference between Neurosis and Psychosis

Neurosis and Psychosis are both mental disorders, but they are very different from each other. Let us learn about their differences in detail now.

Neurosis is a type of light mental disorder without organic reason. In Neurosis, a person does not lose contact with reality and is aware of their condition. Due to this awareness, they tend to handle themself properly and is rarely suicidal. Neurosis does not affect the personality of a person. Neurosis patients experience depression, anxiety, extreme nervousness, etc.

Psychosis is a severe type of mental illness that is caused due to deep disturbance of the mental and emotional peace of a person. People who have Psychosis do not realize their disorder and tend to lose contact with reality, which changes their personality and often makes them suicidal. Psychosis patients experience hallucinations and delusion. 

Treatment difference – Neurosis, a light mental disorder, is treatable by moral and social support and the medicines as prescribed. Psychosis is a critical mental illness, and hence for the treatment, a patient requires antipsychotic medicines, psychological therapy, social support and special care at home. Although, when the condition gets entirely out of control, the patient may need hospitalization for proper and expert management and treatment. 

Conclusion

Neurosis and Psychosis are both mental disorders, but, Neurosis is not as critical as Psychosis and can be treated with the right medicines as prescribed and moral and social support. Symptoms of Neurosis are not self-destructive like Psychosis, where the patients often become suicidal. Patients who have Psychosis need more expert care and should be handled gently. The complete loss of contact with reality makes the condition of Psychosis patients very critical and if not treated properly, they may take extreme self-destructive measures. Extreme Psychosis is not curable but can be managed under the right treatment.