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Is neurosis curable? In most cases, yes, neurosis is a completely reversible disease. The only question is finding a competent, experienced specialist.
A psychotherapist treats neuroses.
Symptoms of neurosis may be signs of neurological, endocrine diseases, or hide other mental disorders (for example, depression). Therefore, the psychotherapist prescribes treatment only after diagnosis. Read more about diagnosing neuroses.
What and how is neurosis treated? The basis of treatment is psychotherapy. If necessary and with the consent of the patient, the doctor prescribes medications that relieve symptoms (this can take up to several weeks even with adequately prescribed medications). But it is non-drug methods that finally help to cope with the cause of neurosis and defeat the disease: individual psychotherapy, biofeedback therapy.
Important
Treatment of severe, protracted forms of neurosis can take a long time. A competent doctor ends therapy only when the chances of the disease returning are minimal.
How long does it take to treat neurosis? The duration of treatment is determined individually. Depending on the severity of the disorder, complete recovery may take from several weeks to a year. This depends on many factors:
- personal characteristics of a person - many deny the disease to the last, taking medications occasionally;
- duration and severity of the disease;
- competent support of relatives;
- specialist qualifications.
What is neurosis and how does it differ from depression?
Differentiation of depression and neuroses is based on diagnostic criteria in the International Classification of Diseases.
We talk about depression when certain criteria are found, such as: depressed mood, loss of interest in things that previously gave pleasure, a significant decrease or increase in appetite, insomnia or increased sleepiness during the day, fatigue, decreased energy, unreasonable feelings guilt, feelings of worthlessness, decreased concentration. It should also be remembered that such symptoms can occur as a reaction to strong experiences in life, for example, the death of a loved one, and also accompany other diseases. Accurate diagnosis is important.
In neuroses, the dominant symptom is fear, which is a characteristic symptom of neurotic disorders. Added to this are symptoms characteristic of depression.
Origin and causes
The name “neurosis” originated back in 1776 during a dispute between two doctors studying mental disorders. The Italian G. Morgagni specialized in pathological anatomy. He argued that neurasthenia is a consequence of physiological changes in organs and tissues. In his opinion, the pathology could be provoked by a protracted inflammatory process, tissue degeneration, or genetic characteristics. The Italian specialist’s opponent was the Scot W. Cullen. He considered the only possible cause to be the combined influence of neuropsychic factors. It was Cullen’s opinion that turned out to be correct, and the term he proposed was included in the official list of diagnoses.
In-depth study of the issue over many years has not yielded a comprehensive definition. Psychiatry and biology give different explanations for the deviation in question. Soviet scientist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov wrote that the essence of nervousness is a prolonged overstrain of nervous processes in the brain associated with destructive external stimuli. Sigmund Freud saw the reason in the opposition of the hidden instinct to social prohibitions. American psychologist Karen Horney blamed childhood trauma. Modern experts identify several prerequisites that provoke the disease.
What treatment is used?
Psychotherapy is offered to people suffering from neurosis.
The symptoms of neurosis affect daily life, which is greatly impaired. And as soon as the quality of life decreases, it is worth seeking the help of a psychotherapist. In a safe therapeutic space, the patient has the opportunity to express his feelings, dominant obsessive thoughts, which creates the opportunity to distance himself from internal conflict, become aware of its origins, and also to change beliefs, thinking and, therefore, also feelings.
Drug treatment also brings results, the inclusion of which is decided by a psychiatrist. According to doctors, patients often say after treatment: “I’m breathing again!” You should not ignore the symptoms of neurosis, because it worsens the quality of life.
How to overcome neurosis?
Neurosis is a disorder of mental activity that affects the entire body as a whole. This disease may also be characterized by a functional imbalance of the nervous system.
Often the causes of symptoms are prolonged psycho-emotional stress, stressful situations, overwork, serious illnesses and many other factors that negatively affect the body's systems.
Symptoms of neurosis
Manifestations of neurosis primarily affect the emotional sphere. A person may become irritable and hot-tempered. There are also sudden changes in mood, loss of energy, sleep disturbance and a feeling of fatigue.
Symptoms of neurosis can also manifest themselves in the form of physical problems - headaches and heart pain, changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate or tachycardia, negative autonomic reactions.
Diagnosis of the disease
The process of establishing neurosis and determining the patient’s condition can be carried out on the basis of a comprehensive study by doctors of different specializations, examination and questioning of the patient. Neurosis is often disguised as other types of illnesses, so a thorough examination can exclude an incorrect diagnosis, reaching the true illness, the treatment of which is within the competence of neurologists and psychotherapists.
Prevention and treatment of neuroses
Preventive measures include a set of methods aimed at improving a person’s psychological state and stabilizing the functioning of the nervous system. In the foreground is a lifestyle adjustment that eliminates emotional and nervous stress. Along with drug therapy, qualified assistance from a psychologist is important, who will help to effectively resist the main causes of neuroses - stress.
Methods for treating neurosis
Effective methods of treating neurosis should completely eliminate the causes of the development of this disease.
The main focus of therapy in this case is psychological assistance, identifying traumatic circumstances and methods of dealing with this kind of condition.
Sedatives and antidepressants are prescribed in parallel with the course of psychotherapy. This combination allows for a comprehensive impact on both mental and physiological causes of neurosis.
Reflexology, massages and acupuncture can have a relaxing effect. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, adequate sleep and physical exercise will help you cope with stress and its consequences.
What are the symptoms of neurosis?
Neurosis is classified as an anxiety disorder. The first symptoms may appear in childhood, but most often the diagnosis is made to people aged 25-45 years.
With neurotic disorders, the patient in certain situations experiences uncontrollable and inexplicable fear, a feeling of panic and anxiety. They are often accompanied by a fear of death and the sudden onset of symptoms of a disease that can cause death (heart attack, stroke, malignant neoplasms).
Often attacks are accompanied by symptoms such as pain in various parts of the body, chronic cough, itchy skin, dry mouth, sudden increase in blood pressure, visual disturbances and hearing impairment. Of course, these symptoms may indicate a current illness in the body, but in patients with neurosis, subsequent consultations with doctors and numerous examinations do not answer the question: what is the cause of these pains? Therefore, patients often change doctors and do additional tests. It is typical that good test results do not please patients, but worry them even more.
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COST OF TREATMENT
The harm of self-medication
Many people try to get treatment based on advice taken from a dubious website. Following such recommendations and taking measures on your own is extremely dangerous. The following situations may occur in response to improper treatment:
- Progression of neurosis;
- Development of a persistent irreversible disorder;
- The appearance of other chronic diseases;
- Suicidal thoughts;
- Drug poisoning;
- Problems in society;
- Damaged relationships with loved ones and colleagues.
Outpatient program and remission
In the absence of an aggravating factor, therapy can be carried out on an outpatient basis. Treatment includes identical points:
- Attending psychotherapeutic sessions in accordance with the approved schedule;
- Taking medications according to indications as needed;
- Treatment of the underlying provoking disease, if present;
- Searching for some kind of “outlet” in hobbies and creativity;
- Gradual return to society.
Neurosis is highly treatable, under the supervision of the attending physician, and quickly fades into the background. Relapses are observed in rare cases, but as part of psychotherapy, the patient is taught to independently cope with anxious thoughts and panic. If you follow all the recommendations, peace and joy will forever take away nervous tension.
Treatment methods for neurasthenia
The treatment tactics for neurosis are determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the pathology. In some cases, you can get rid of HP using psychotherapy alone. Properly selected psychologist activities are the fundamental technique for treating neurasthenia. The reversibility of neurosis and a positive reaction to mental influences allows you to quickly achieve healthy thinking. Based on the specifics of the methods, there are:
Pathogenic. Designed to fight the root cause. They help identify conflict, resolve internal contradictions, and mitigate childhood trauma, the consequences of which have become a pathology in adulthood. The most effective methods of therapy are: psychodynamic, systemic, cognitive, integrative.
Symptomatic. They allow you to correct behavior during stressful situations, help lay down the principles of objective perception, and independently stop panic symptoms. They use hypnotherapy, breathing techniques, and relaxing painting.
Sometimes the diagnosis requires medical intervention. Usually, drugs act as a “second fiddle” to achieve rapid physical and mental relief. These products should only be consumed under the supervision of a specialist. The drugs have a wide range of limitations and side effects.
Types of drugs for relieving neurosis
- Tranquilizers. Means that reduce emotional anxiety and tension.
- Neuroleptics. Suppress psychomotor agitation, reduce the speed of the brain reaction without loss of consciousness.
- Sedatives. They calm down, relieve hysterical neurosis, and normalize the emotional background.
- Antidepressants. Increases the level of neurotransmitters. This is the main way to combat depression using pills.
When conducting therapy among adults and children, light therapy, long walks in the fresh air, and communication with loved ones are recommended. It is good if the patient is engaged in some activity with pleasure, for example, creativity or handicrafts.
Psychoeducation
Developing the skills to breathe correctly, relax effectively, and react less acutely to a stressful situation is the key to the fact that in the future our patient will be able to withstand stressors and other unfavorable conditions completely independently, without the help of a doctor. Psychoeducation is necessary not only for the patient himself, but also for his family members. Support from specialists who explain how to correctly respond to certain human conditions, how to effectively provide assistance to him, and providing psychotherapeutic assistance to the family is the key to ensuring that the patient returns from the hospital to therapeutic and safe conditions that are favorable for him.
Neurosis is not a whim, but a serious illness
In modern society, a tendency has emerged to stigmatize patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Their suffering is underestimated, considered a weakness, and the significance of dangerous symptoms is minimized in every possible way. Ashamed of being reproached for imaginary weakness and laziness, people put off seeing a doctor for a long time. This is a fundamentally wrong tactic that leads to detrimental consequences for the entire body.
Psychosomatic connections gradually, gradually wear away the will and provoke chronic disturbances in the functioning of the whole organism.
If patients neglect their health and engage in denial, self-medication, or use advice from online forums, they risk developing comorbidities:
- clinical depression;
- suicidal tendencies;
- urination disorders;
- functional dyspepsia;
- idiopathic hyperthermia;
- sexual dysfunctions;
- sleep and eating disorders;
- angina pectoris, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction;
- alcohol or drug addiction;
- loss of motor and sensory functions of the nervous system;
- erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
