In our age of information overload, stress and crazy speeds, the problem mental health, or rather, ill health, becomes almost the most important.

As you know, mental health is the same “ healthy mind“, which ancient healers loved to speculate about, is an integral component of overall health. Alas, features modern life make us extremely vulnerable to various mental disorders. And the disease does not distinguish whether you are young or old man in front of her, a man or a woman.

In terms of prevalence, mental health disorders are now among the leaders after cardiovascular and oncological diseases. According to WHO, more than 560 million people on the planet already suffer from various mental illnesses. And almost every second person is in danger of contracting a mental illness during their lifetime.

Very often companions modern man such serious psychoneurological diseases as neurosis And psychosis .

What lies behind the terms neurosis and psychosis?

We are so used to throwing around the words “hysterical”, “neurasthenic”, “psychopath” that we often forget that we use them as curses or even ridicule. medical terms. Meanwhile, there is nothing funny in these words.

Neurosis

Neurosis can be briefly described as follows:

• This nervous exhaustion, long chronic disorder, which can develop in a person against the background of stress or a traumatic event.
• The personality of a patient suffering from neurosis usually does not undergo major changes. The person maintains a critical attitude towards the disease; he can control his behavior.
• As a rule, neurosis is manifested by vegetative, somatic and affective disorders.
• This is a reversible (curable) disease.

The most common types of this disease are:

• neurasthenia ( asthenic neurosis, fatigue syndrome);
• hysteria ( hysterical neurosis);
• various phobias (fears, panic attacks) and obsessive states (obsessive neurosis).

One of main reasons the formation of neurosis is stress in the broadest sense of the word, be it a childhood trauma, an unfavorable climate in the family, a crisis at work, nervous tension, interpersonal conflict or emotional turmoil.

According to medical statistics, the state of neurosis is familiar firsthand to 10-20% of the population of our planet, and from various types psychosis affects approximately 5% of the world's inhabitants.

Psychosis

Speaking about psychosis, it is necessary to note the following:

• This is a mental disorder characterized by inappropriate human behavior and an atypical reaction to events and phenomena.
• Manifests mental disorders, in particular, disturbances in the perception of reality (hallucinations, delusions).
• It develops unnoticed by the patient and may be a consequence of pathologies of the endocrine and nervous systems.
• Capable of completely changing the patient's personality.
• This is a difficult to cure disease.

Psychoses according to their origin are usually divided into:

• Endogenous , that is, associated with internal reasons(somatic diseases, hereditary mental disorders, age);
• Exoorganic caused by external factors(infections, intoxications, etc.) or directly related to a violation of the structure of the brain (trauma, hemorrhage, neoplasms, etc.).

The first group includes:

• affective insanity;
• senile (senile);
• affective;
• schizophrenic;
• epileptic;
• symptomatic psychosis and etc.

The exogenous group includes:

• reactive acute psychosis;
• intoxication;
• infectious;
• alcoholic psychosis and etc.

Signs of psychosis and neurosis

Symptoms of psychosis

Recognize alarms sometimes it’s not easy, but you should carefully consider any changes that appear in character and habits loved one.

Characteristic symptoms of psychosis are:

• decreased performance or febrile activity;
• mood swings;
• irritability, suspicion;
• desire for self-isolation;
• unexplained change of interests;
• sleep disturbances, decreased appetite;
• careless attitude towards one's appearance;
• increased vulnerability and others atypical reactions on events, phenomena;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• incoherent speech;
• hallucinations, delusions.

Symptoms of neurosis

Reveal nervous breakdown quite difficult for a non-specialist. And yet the clinic of neurosis has characteristic features.

Neurosis may be indicated by:

• decreased cognitive abilities;
• depressed mood, tearfulness;
• self-doubt, low self-esteem;
• irritability, dissatisfaction;
• frequent changes of mood;
• intrusive thoughts;
• fixation on bad news and events;
• unmotivated anxiety states;
• poor appetite, ;/li>
• violations in the sexual sphere;
• increased sensitivity to noise, light, vibrations, etc.

Children's fears and facial tics are also symptoms of neurosis.

Very often in everyday life people confuse the concepts of “neurosis” and “neurasthenia”. Let us repeat once again: neurasthenia is a type of neurosis, one of its most common forms.

Characteristic symptoms of neurasthenia are:

• decreased intellectual abilities;
• dizziness (the so-called neurasthenic helmet);
• increased fatigue;
• chest pain;
• mood swings;
• low self-esteem;

Treatment of neuroses and psychoses

Conduct a competent diagnosis of the disease, identify its causes and suggest adequate treatment can only (psychoneurologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist) who has undergone appropriate training and has sufficient practical experience in helping patients with neurological and mental disorders.

Treatment of psychoses and neuroses (including treatment of neurasthenia) is, as a rule, a whole complex of measures that includes many stages.

So, a combination of the following methods helps to achieve a good result:

• drug therapy;
• phytotherapy;
• psychotherapy;
• hardware treatment;
• water procedures;
• special gymnastics;
• therapeutic diet and etc.

Psychoses and neuroses are two very similar concepts that are confused not only by ordinary people, but also by some doctors with experience in the neurological and psychiatric fields. In fact, these are different pathological human conditions that require individual approach and treatment.

Psychosis is a human mental disorder consisting of strange and unusual behavior for society, a disorder in the perception of the real world around us, as well as an inadequate reaction to external stimuli.

It is classified depending on the etiology into the following groups:

1. Endogenous psychoses - can develop against the background of disorders of neurohumoral regulation;
2. Exogenous - appears under the influence of severe stress, narcotic or alcohol addiction, inflammatory diseases central nervous system infectious etiology;
3. Organic psychoses are associated with a direct violation of the structure of the brain, its traumatization, and impaired blood supply.

Neurosis - pathological condition nervous system, its exhaustion, formed as a result of stress, psychological childhood trauma.

Divided into several forms:

• neurasthenia;
• hysteria;
• fear;
• obsessive state.

The causes of neurosis are such biological and social factors, such as toxic poisoning, heredity, traumatic brain injury, unfavorable social or living conditions, constant strong experiences at home, at work, during pregnancy.

Differences and symptoms

The main difference between neurosis and psychosis is the fact that the first condition appears against the background of complete physical well-being, that is, the person does not complain of any other health problems. In the second case, the process is formed unnoticed and is a consequence of dysfunction of the endocrine and nervous system.

Neurosis is a somatic, autonomic disorder of the nervous system; psychosis largely affects the psyche and consciousness of the patient.

With neurosis, the patient is critical of himself and those around him, he does not lose touch with the real world and gives a full account of his actions. The patient is able to analyze his condition and admit to himself that he really needs help. medical care. Psychosis gives an absolutely opposite picture; a person speaks loudly about his own well-being and refuses a medical examination.

Neurosis preserves personality and is a reversible condition that can be treated. Psychosis suppresses one’s own “I” and is less treatable.

The clinical picture is also different. Symptoms of neurosis are psychological discomfort, irritability up to embitterment and rage, sudden changes mood, a large number of fears and worries without any compelling reasons, tearfulness, chronic fatigue, accompanied by migraines, insomnia, fatigue under normal loads.

Psychoses are characterized by delusions, auditory or visual hallucinations, slurred speech and inexplicable behavior, and a fixation on certain incidents. The patient limits himself from society, lives in his own separate imaginary world.

As for the question: “Can neurosis turn into psychosis?”, opinions differ here. Some experts argue that these are two unrelated conditions that are not intertwined and give their own special complications. The latter say that neurosis, without proper diagnosis and therapy, exhausts the nervous system so much that in addition to it, the patient’s psyche is involved, as a result of which psychosis can develop.

Diagnosis and treatment

A neurologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist must listen carefully to the patient, check his tendon reflexes, and observe his behavior and manner of speech. It is important to collect a complete anamnesis of the disease, life, and clarify the presence accompanying pathologies, household and social conditions life.

Treatment is prescribed individually and consists of two components: taking medications and normalizing the psycho-emotional state.

The most preferred medications are antidepressants (Azafen, Imizin), psychostimulants (Provigil, Sidnocarp), tranquilizers (Tofisopam, Diazepam) and anti-anxiety drugs (Adaptol, Deprim). They improve sleep, eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce negative mood, and reduce tension in the nervous system. Prescribed exclusively by a specialist with selection required dose and duration of drug use.

The following social factors must be eliminated or minimized:

• hard work;
• informational and emotional stress;
• violation of routine, sleep, lack of sleep;
• problems with friends and close relatives;
• absence of a loved one, personal life;
• material and everyday problems;
• failure to realize past dreams and goals.

If a person is not able to solve the listed issues himself, psychologists and psychotherapists will come to his aid; they will model behavior and correct their view of a particular situation.

Additional methods for restoring moral and physical well-being are water procedures, taking baths with essential oils, physiotherapy, relaxing massage, physiotherapy with sedatives medicines, acupuncture, darsonvalization.

Auditory hallucinations, obsessive fear etc

Asked by: Ksenia

Female gender

Age: 15

Chronic diseases: not specified

Hello, I hope that you can help me with my problem.
I am 15 years old and at the age of 13 I started having auditory hallucinations. Most often, these are familiar voices in my head that call me “Ksyukha!”, “Ksenya!”, etc., it also happens that I hear snippets of phrases from our previous conversations, but this is extremely rare. Increasingly, unfamiliar voices began to appear, advising me about something or directing me, to which I most often responded “automatically,” for example, recently an unfamiliar male voice appeared in my head and said “Playground.” I was home alone and it really scared me. When these voices appear to me, I involuntarily turn around, if the voices are familiar, I enter from the room and ask if anyone came, if someone called me.
An obsessive feeling of fear. I always have the feeling that someone is standing behind me, and at night, before going to bed, I have the feeling that something is about to open. Entrance door and everyone in the house will be killed, it’s especially frightening when I hear rustling noises. I can sit at night and, hugging my knees, just be afraid of everything and everyone, even though I have to go to school in the morning. I've had this since childhood. As a child, I often dreamed of how I was lying alone in a coffin and, when I woke up, I cried with fear, because my dreams are very vivid and always believable, that you involuntarily believe that it happened. When I go somewhere, I constantly see pictures in my head of being hit by a car, being kidnapped by someone, and this gives me goosebumps and intensifies my fear.
I often see silhouettes of people who are not really there and this enhances this feeling of fear.
I have a very changeable mood. One minute I’m having fun, jumping, dancing, and the next minute I’m already sitting and almost crying for no reason. Every caustic word addressed to me ends with me turning away with tears in my eyes so that no one can see the tears. I don’t know how to restrain my emotions and they are always very bright. That is, I can’t just get angry, I just “tear and slash.” Every emotion I have is extremely vivid, which is somewhat disturbing. One morning I sit and listen to music, singing along. The music is quite rhythmic, but tears flow from my eyes, although there is nothing sad associated with this song. Tears often flow for no reason, and it’s hard to stop.
Dream. My sleep is somewhat disrupted; I fall asleep either very late or very early, and in neither case do I get enough sleep. My dreams are very vivid and believable, and my sleep is sound, and when the nightmares come off, I cannot bring myself to wake up. I often wake up with tears in my eyes, and once, when I dreamed about the death of my grandfather (in fact, everything is fine with him), after waking up, I cried for more than 20 minutes and simply could not stop.

I went to a psychiatrist in my city and they didn’t tell me anything worthwhile, like I had to go to the psychotherapeutic center in Murmansk to see a psychotherapist.
Please help me, please, I'm already so tired of this.
Thank you in advance for your help.

1 answer

Don't forget to rate the doctors' answers, help us improve them by asking additional questions on the topic of this question.
Also, don’t forget to thank your doctors.

Hello, Ksenia.
The signs you listed indicate a possible neurotic disorder. To find out accurate diagnosis You need an in-person consultation with a psychiatrist-psychotherapist.
They do not pose a danger to the person himself or his environment. Despite the painful symptoms to endogenous mental illness and do not cause organ damage.
The most important thing in the treatment of neuroses is psychotherapy - this is internal work on oneself in a specially organized safe environment group or doctor's office in individual consultations. You are looking for a specialist who gives priority to psychotherapy over drug treatment, because tablets will only give a temporary and unstable effect. In psychotherapeutic sessions, you can understand the destructive mechanisms of neurotic defenses, learn to bring yourself back to normal and manage your mood, as well as develop a life strategy that is acceptable to you.
Sports and general strengthening activities also play an important role: establishing a daily routine, adequate sleep, water procedures, proper nutrition, vitamin therapy, etc.
And only in some cases is drug therapy added: antidepressants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics.
More details about the treatment of neuroses here: http://preobrazhenie.ru/psychiatry/lechenie-nevrozov

If you don't find the information you need among the answers to this question, or your problem is slightly different from the one presented, try asking additional question doctor on the same page, if he is on the topic of the main question. you also can ask a new question, and after some time our doctors will answer it. It's free. You can also search for the information you need in similar questions on this page or through the site search page. We will be very grateful if you recommend us to your friends in in social networks.

Medical portal website provides medical consultations via correspondence with doctors on the website. Here you get answers from real practitioners in your field. Currently on the website you can get advice in 48 areas: allergist, anesthesiologist-resuscitator, venereologist, gastroenterologist, hematologist, geneticist, gynecologist, homeopath, dermatologist, pediatric gynecologist, pediatric neurologist , pediatric urologist, pediatric surgeon , pediatric endocrinologist, nutritionist, immunologist, infectious disease specialist, cardiologist, cosmetologist, speech therapist, ENT specialist, mammologist, medical lawyer, narcologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, nephrologist, oncologist, oncourologist, orthopedist-traumatologist, ophthalmologist, pediatrician, plastic surgeon , proctologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, pulmonologist, rheumatologist, radiologist, sexologist-andrologist, dentist, urologist, pharmacist, herbalist, phlebologist, surgeon, endocrinologist.

We answer 96.97% of questions.

Stay with us and be healthy!

Are there hallucinations in neurosis? and got the best answer

Answer from Nobody[guru]
any hallucination is not quite a hallucination in the understanding that most people put into it)) after all, even a thought is material, and an image is even more material; another question is whether it was created by you, or whether you saw what exists without you
Someone
Thinker
(8887)
try talking to them) just don’t be afraid and don’t get emotional

Answer from 2 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: Are there hallucinations in neurosis?

Answer from Irina Bon[guru]
B vitamins to help

Answer from Aziz Ulyushov[active]
your mind is slowly getting worse for you and the psychiatrist for you

Answer from Nikolay Kruzhkov[guru]
What psychotropic medications do you use? Amitriptyline? Sonapax? Diazepam? For neurosis obsessive states There should be no hallucinations (visual, auditory). What you just called hallucinations is not. These are obsessive ideas. Hallucinations usually occur when paranoid schizophrenia. Did you read " General psychopathology"Karl Jaspers?

Answer from Kosha[guru]
auditory hearing occurs, it seems that the phone is ringing or there is a knock on the door

Answer from Evgeniy Egorenko[master]
1) Why not. Hallucinations occur with neurosis, and with sore throat, and with pyelonephritis. 2) Another thing is that all these conditions (diseases) in themselves cannot be the cause of hallucinations.

Answer from Vodoplyas[active]
Just go to a psychotherapist, they won't tell you anything useful.

Answer from Death Bearer[newbie]
Hallucinations are pathological symptoms that occur in disorders mental activity, in which a person feels (sees, hears, etc.) something that does not actually exist in the space around him. Hallucinations are obvious pathological manifestation mental disorders, since normally, with an unchanged psyche, they are absent in people of all ages of both sexes. The pathological symptom refers to disorders of perception of surrounding reality. Depending on which analyzer the disorder in the perception of surrounding reality occurs, hallucinations are divided into auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, visceral, speech and motor. Hallucinations of any nature can be caused mental illness, as well as brain damage (traumatic brain injury, meningitis, encephalitis, etc.) or severe pathologies internal organs. Hallucinations due to severe somatic diseases (internal organs) or brain damage are not a sign of a person’s mental illness. That is, a person suffering, for example, from heart failure or having suffered a traumatic brain injury, may experience hallucinations, but at the same time he is completely mentally healthy, and the disturbance in the perception of the surrounding reality was due to a serious illness. In addition, hallucinations can also appear in completely healthy people under the influence of substances that affect the functioning of the central nervous system, such as alcohol, drugs, psychotropic medications, toxic substances, etc. a brief description of and the essence of the symptom Understanding the essence and scientific definition hallucinations were produced during the study of this problem within the framework of general development psychiatry. Thus, the translation of the Latin word "allucinacio" means "pipe dreams", "idle chatter" or "nonsense", which is quite far from the modern meaning of the term "hallucinations". And the term “hallucinations” acquired its modern meaning only in the 17th century in the work of the Swiss physician Plater. But the final formulation of the concept of “hallucination,” which is still relevant today, was given only in the 19th century by Jean Esquirol. Thus, Esquirol gave the following definition of hallucinations: “a person is deeply convinced that he currently has some sensory perception, but there are no objects within his reach.” This definition is still relevant today because it reflects the main essence of this psychiatric symptom– a violation of the sphere of perception of surrounding reality, in which a person perceives objects that are absent from reality and at the same time is completely convinced that he is right. In short, hallucinations are the perception of something that is not actually there. this moment. That is, when a person smells smells that do not exist in reality, hears sounds that also do not exist in reality, sees objects that are absent in the surrounding space, etc., then these are hallucinations. At the same time, mirages do not belong to hallucinations, since this phenomenon is not a consequence of a violation of mental activity, but a natural phenomenon, the development of which is based on the laws of physics. Hallucinations must be distinguished from pseudohallucinations and illusions, which also refer to disturbances in the sphere of perception of the surrounding world that occur in severe mental disorders. Thus, the main difference between hallucinations and pseudohallucinations is their pronounced outward orientation and connection with objects that actually exist in the surrounding space. For example, a hallucination is that a person sees a spot sitting on a really existing chair, or hears sounds from behind a real existing door, or smells a smell coming from a ventilation system that exists in reality, etc. Pseudohallucinations are the opposite.

IN modern world It often happens that a person has to deal with neurotic and mental disorders. This is due to the fast pace of life, constant stress and problems, and an unstable emotional state.

Neurosis-like schizophrenia is called light form schizotypal personality disorder, which is similar to neurotic in some symptoms. This disease is quite rare, not more than 0.5% of all cases. As a rule, it is easily treatable and does not require isolating the sick person from society, but it is not completely curable and requires monitoring by specialists for the rest of his life.

Yes, these two diseases have similarities, such as:

• hypochondria;
• depression;
• obsessive states;
• the presence of fears in a person.

Many people believe that neurosis can develop into a schizotypal disorder, but this is not the case. Neuroses arise as a consequence of previous psychological trauma, as well as complex internal and external conflict, due to severe stress, chronic fatigue, after childbirth.

Such a pathology, most likely, will not be chronic continuously and will remind itself of infrequent exacerbations. People around may not notice that a person is experiencing neurotic disorders. The patient remains critical of both himself and the circumstances around him. He notices changes in himself, worries about this, turns to specialists and experiences hypochondria, thoroughly studying the symptoms various diseases and trying them on himself, just like a schizophrenic.

A person with pseudoneurotic schizophrenia can live without noticing serious changes in himself for quite a long time, up to three decades. However, during the course of the disease, all kinds of neurotic and mental personality disorders progress. People with this disease rarely complete their education, work in the same place for a short time, and it often happens that they cannot start a family. The disease forces you to take medications for a very long time. for a long time, and sometimes throughout life.

The patient has no desire to take care of himself, he looks unkempt, as a rule, everyday life does not bring productivity, a person experiences various fears absolutely unfounded, sometimes there is a craving for studying subjects that are boring for other people, for example, philosophy. Often, a patient’s phobias become simply absurd and progress; if, for example, a person is afraid of buses for some reason, he will soon stop using this type of public transport altogether.

Schizotypal disorder, unlike neurosis, occurs in a person regardless of whether he has experienced any stress that traumatized his psyche and regardless of his character. Patients may become confused about time and location, or confuse themselves with another person. Even when the period of psychosis ends, one cannot say with certainty that the person is absolutely normal.

So, what are the differences?

Neurosis-like schizophrenia

• Occurs after experiencing severe stress that affected mental condition sick
• Occurs regardless of the circumstances and character of the person, may occur due to genetic predisposition
• The life values ​​and character of a neurasthenic do not change
• The disease radically changes a person’s personality
• The patient remains critical of himself and the circumstances surrounding him, and worries about his mental health
• A schizophrenic does not understand that he is sick, the ability to criticize is lost
• A person turns to specialists and wants to be cured
• The patient will not go to the doctor on his own, this happens at the insistence of people close to him
• A neurasthenic person in any serious situation is able to pull himself together and pull himself together
• A schizophrenic, even in a life-threatening situation, will not pull himself together
• May continue to remain social person, communicate with others, work, engage in education and build a family
• Antisocial, apathetic, avoids society, does not stay in the same job for long, is unable to build relationships
• A complete cure is possible
• A person is almost always doomed to lifelong medication and medical supervision

Sluggish schizophrenia is different from neurosis.

This disease has three types:

• psychopathic;
• simple;
• neurosis-like schizophrenia.

It is considered a transitional form, since the symptoms of the disease are superficial. While the classic type leads to rapid degradation of the personality, the sluggish one changes the personality slowly, affecting his behavior, manners and socialization, as described above. Differences low-grade schizophrenia from neurasthenia are the same as mentioned above. These are absolutely two different ailments, similar only in some symptoms.

Therapy.

Schizotypal disorders, as a rule, do not pose a threat to life and health, both for the patient and for the people around him, so the use of a large number of potent drugs is excluded. Often the patient is prescribed antipsychotics or simple tranquilizers.

If the disease progresses to hidden form, then the doctor prescribes antidepressants to the patient to suppress the surging depression. During treatment, psychotherapists use individual and group techniques to achieve healing. To achieve positive dynamics, the support of family and their constant presence is important.

During treatment neurotic disorders they also use various sedatives, tranquilizers and antidepressants. There are also many different non-drug methods, which are used depending on the nature and course of the disease. The following methods exist:

• hypnosis;
• breathing exercises;
• music therapy;
• color therapy;
• phototherapy and others.

Hypnagogic hallucinations in neurosis

Hypnagogic hallucinations- These are hallucinations that occur before going to bed. The reasons for such phenomena are stressful situations, depressive state, anxiety, excessive emotionality, as well as alcohol and drug abuse.

Auditory hallucinations before sleep often accompany non-rotic people, but they have nothing to do with the various visions that arise with schizotypal, manic states and psychosis.

Hypnagogic hallucinations are different from pseudohallucinations and visual illusions. Hypnagogic hallucinations occur only in a state of drowsiness; many experts claim that every person sees and hears them, but simply does not remember them, because afterwards they fall asleep. But pseudohallucinations are familiar to schizophrenics and people with acute psychosis.

You should not be afraid or worry too much about hearing voices before going to bed; for people suffering from neurasthenic disorders, this is considered normal occurrence. You should consult a psychotherapist in order to get rid of the neurosis, along with which the hallucinations will disappear.