Psychopathology

Assignment

Topic: difference between neurosis and

psychosis

Submitted to: Ma’am Wizra

Submitted by: Hooria Amer

Class: Bs 5th Psychology

Date: 22-10-20
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEUROSIS AND PSYCHOSIS
The term neurotic and psychotic both are used to describe the conditions
or illnesses that affect mental health as neurosis is a relatively mild
mental illness while psychosis is a severe mental disorder.

DIFFERENCE:
The following are some major differences between psychosis and neurosis.
Neurosis Psychosis
Definition Definition
 Neurosis refers to a constant struggle  Psychosis is defined as a major
between an individual’s personality personality disorder which disrupts
and his pattern of behavior in stressful one’s emotional and mental aspect of
condition often associated with life.
physical and mental disturbances.

 Mild functional, neuro-psychical  A severe mental illness characterized

 disorders that confirm themselves in  by loss of contact with reality and

specific clinical phenomena in the relationship with other people
 absence of psychical phenomena. causing social maladaptation.
 No Organic reason present  Organic reason present

 Doesn’t affect personality  Affects personality

 The contact with reality is partially lost  The contact with reality is completely
 Results in a partial change in the lost
personality along with a mild loss of  Results in a complete alteration of
insight. personality with a considerable
 Does not affect the thought, speech and impairment or loss of insight.
communication  The thought, speech and
 Disorganized behavior absent communication changed.
 Disorganized behavior present

Symptoms Symptoms
 Hallucinations and delusions are not  Hallucinations and delusions are
present (or extremely rare if present) present

 Low risk of self-harm  Higher risk of self-harm

Associated disorders Associated disorders

 Anxiety disorders, panic disorders,  Schizophrenia, paranoid disorder,
phobia Borderline personality disorder paranoid personality disorder,
Obsessive-compulsive disorders, dementia and delusional disorders are
Somatoform disorders, Depression, a few types of psychosis.
conversion disorder and Post-traumatic
disorders are a few types of neurosis.

Factors Factors
 The causing factor for neurosis is  The causing factors for psychosis are
biological, socio-psychic climate, genetic, biochemical and
psychological, pedagogical, and socio- environmental.
economic.

Treatment Treatment

 Treated mainly by psychological  Treated by physical methods

methods
  The treatment is usually psychological  Psychosis is treated by antipsychotic
and medicines can also be prescribed. medicines, psychological therapy,
social support.

Conclusion:
Neurosis and psychosis are not similar types of mental disorders. Neurosis is less
significant and only a mental impact cured by support from peers and discussion
with experts. while psychosis is a severe ailment that is both emotional and
functional, the person with psychosis has madness and can harm himself if not
cared properly. Hospitalization is a must to some extent in neurosis and a greater
extent in psychosis.
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