Neuroticism Vs. Neurosis: Is There A Difference?

Neuroticism and neurosis are two similar-sounding words that are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same. While neuroticism is a major personality trait utilized in modern psychology, neurosis was historically used to describe mental illnesses featuring a high degree of internalization, such as anxiety disorders. In this article, we’ll be exploring the difference between these two terms as well as how to improve your mental health when struggling with a neurotic personality or symptoms of a mental illness. 

What is neuroticism?

These include the following personality traits, which account for much of the differences in the ways people think, feel, and behave:

• Agreeableness: This personality trait accounts for cooperation, compassion, and helpfulness in relationships. 
• Conscientiousness: Conscientiousness consists of thoughtfulness, impulse control, work ethic, and organization. 
• Extraversion: Extraversion is a personality trait that reflects socialness and emotional expression. People with low extraversion often find socializing tiring and are considered introverted because they get their energy from spending time alone.
• Openness: Openness reflects imagination, curiosity, and creativity. Oftentimes, people who score high in openness enjoy challenges, travel, and abstract thinking. 
• Neuroticism: Neuroticism describes levels of emotional stability, including worry and stress. 

Like other personality traits, neuroticism is relatively stable and exists on a continuum from very high to very low. Most people experience some level of neuroticism that is between these two extremes. 

Neuroticism reflects emotional stability. Those with high neuroticism tend to experience large mood swings, difficulty with impulse control, and strong reactions to stressors. People with low neuroticism often have stable moods, cope well with stressors, and recover quickly after challenging events.

What is neurosis? 

People may use the word “neurosis” informally to describe general symptoms (such as chronic worry, anxiety, or irritability), psychological disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder). 

Historically, the term neurosis referred to “diseases of nervousness” that were diagnosable psychiatric disorders. Neurotic disorders were contrasted with psychotic disorders (disorders that are characterized by loss of contact with reality), and together they formed a broad way to differentiate mental disorders. 

However, the term “neurosis” was largely eliminated when the DSM-III (a manual used by some therapists to diagnose mental health disorders) was released in 1980 due to its lack of precision. Though the term is not used in modern psychiatric diagnoses, it influenced the understanding of many recognized psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, OCD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Neuroticism vs. neurosis: Is there a difference?

In everyday language, many people use the terms “neuroticism” and “neurosis” interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings:

• Neurosis is a term used colloquially to refer to general symptoms, such as excessive stress, emotional instability, worry, and anxiety. When someone expresses that they’re “neurotic” or experiencing “neurosis,” they may be referring to stress, agitation, or moodiness. 
• Neurosis may also be used in everyday language to describe mental health disturbances. Historically, neurosis referred to a range of diagnosable psychiatric disorders called “neuroses.” Neurosis closely resembles modern mental health disorders like generalized anxiety disorder.
• Neuroticism is a personality trait that refers to the degree of emotional stability someone experiences. Individuals with high neuroticism tend to experience strong emotional fluctuations, whereas those with low neuroticism typically have stable emotions and are less reactive to stressors. 

Symptoms of neuroticism and the negative feedback loop

Common symptoms of high neuroticism include: 

• Feeling uncertain, apprehensive, and/or frequently asking for the input of others 
• Anxiety and depression
• Recurring worry
• Tendency to interpret neutral situations negatively
• Criticism of others 
• Self-blame
• Irritability and agitation
• Codependent tendencies in relationships
• Negative self-talk, self-blame, self-consciousness, and/or low self-esteem 
• Emotional instability 
• Perfectionism 

Neuroticism can become problematic when individuals have not developed the skills and tools to cope with stressors effectively, worsening negativity over time. The following stages characterize unhelpful responses to stressors that may exacerbate neurotic behavior: 

1. Stressor: The event, memory, or situation that initiates stress or other negative emotions. 
2. Exaggerated Negative Perception: Negative emotions and experiences are emphasized and exaggerated, making the stressor seem more stressful than it is.
3. Internalization: The person blames themselves and internalizes the stress, often resulting in the development of shame and low self-esteem.
4. Rumination: A person with high neuroticism may get stuck on negative thoughts and feelings, further intensifying worry and other negative feelings. 
5. Ineffective response: The response to overwhelming stress and negative emotions may involve short-term thinking that is not oriented toward problem-solving. This might include avoidant behaviors, criticism of others, or maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance use. 
6. Consequences: The short-term thinking of ineffective responses may create further problems, which can exacerbate negative thinking if left unaddressed. This is often referred to as a self-perpetuating negative feedback loop. 

Neuroticism is not a mental illness; rather, it is a personality trait that does not necessarily interfere with daily function. Though neuroticism is sometimes stigmatized, there are some benefits to neuroticism, such as risk reduction and heightened creativity. 

However, high neuroticism can be one of many risk factors that contribute to the development of mental illnesses (including anxiety and depressive disorders). Through therapy, individuals can learn to improve their responses to emotional distress and develop healthy coping skills that may reduce the possible negative impact of high neuroticism. 

How to improve your mental health if you have a neurotic personality trait

• Adopt a solutions-oriented mindset

When you encounter a stressor and find yourself becoming overwhelmed, it can help to take a step back and evaluate the situation. Consider what stressor you might be reacting to, and then assess what actions you can take to address the stressor instead of reacting to your emotional response. If you cannot identify a solution, consider whether your response is effective or ineffective.

People who have high neuroticism tend to emphasize and ruminate on negative emotions. Training yourself to productively seek solutions can break the cycle of neuroticism and build self-efficacy. For example, if you’re worried about an upcoming exam, you could plan for study sessions ahead of the test. Or, if you’re feeling insecure in your relationship, you can openly communicate your feelings. 

• Give negative thoughts a name

When you find yourself stuck on negative thoughts, it can be challenging not to think of your stressors and your emotions as a negative reflection of yourself. 

You may want to try giving your negative thoughts a name (like “Jane” or “John”) so that you can mentally separate yourself from the negativity. For example, when you think something negative like, “I can’t do anything right,” you can tell Jane/John that they’re “barking up the wrong tree.” This technique is referred to as a form of “cognitive defusion,” as it can help you differentiate feelings from facts.

• Know that negativity isn’t all bad

Most people tend to weigh negative experiences more heavily than positive ones. This is referred to as negativity bias, and it likely evolved in humans to keep us safe from physical threats and dangers. While negativity bias can be harmful, it also serves a purpose. 

When you’re experiencing negative emotions, your body is trying to communicate with you. Listening and reflecting, rather than fighting negativity, may give you more insight into the root cause of your thoughts and feelings. Once you know what’s causing your negative emotions, ask yourself how you can reframe your thoughts and view the whole situation beyond just the negative aspects.

• Practice mindfulness 

Mindfulness refers to the practice of becoming more aware of the present moment. It involves noticing and observing your physical body, your environment, and your thoughts without passing judgment or criticism. Research from 2018 found that mindfulness can effectively build coping skills by slowing down thoughts, making negative emotions less intense, and interrupting catastrophism. Mindfulness has also been found to neutralize some of the negative effects of high neuroticism and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

To try a simple mindfulness exercise, you can do the following: 

• Find a quiet space and get in a comfortable sitting or lying position. Then, set a timer for several minutes (2-10) and close your eyes.  
• Bring awareness to your breath, taking slow, deep inhales through your nose and exhales through your mouth. If you want, you can place one hand on your belly and the other over your heart while you breathe, noticing the rising and falling of your belly.
• Observe your body and your surroundings. For example, notice where your body connects with the earth. Is the ground cold, hot, soft, or hard?
• At some point, thoughts will wander across your mind. When they do, practice observing them and letting them go without judgment. Recenter your breath whenever you need to.
• Once your timer goes off, slowly open your eyes, and resume your day.

Online therapy for personality traits and negative emotions

If negative moods or overwhelming thoughts are impacting your daily life, you may want to reach out to a talk therapist. A specific type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on evaluating and reframing negative thought patterns and developing healthy coping skills. Though CBT was designed to address psychiatric disorders rather than personality traits, it can be adapted to address neuroticism. 

Through online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you can connect with a therapist who has experience conducting CBT for their clients. With the ability to talk to your therapist through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging, you can get support and guidance according to your comfort and availability.

The efficacy of online therapy for the improved mental health of people with anxiety

For individuals who are easily overwhelmed or feel more comfortable attending therapy sessions from home, online therapy can be an appealing option. A study published in 2014 found that online CBT can effectively reduce trait neuroticism in people with health anxiety on a long-term basis. Another study concluded that online CBT can successfully address symptoms of many internalizing psychiatric disorders. CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing one’s negative thought patterns to promote more positive, helpful ways of thinking and feeling. As an individual learns how to change their thoughts, they can often shift their unwanted behaviors as well.