noun

neurosis

nuu-ROH-sis/nʊˈrəʊsɪs/

A mental or emotional condition marked by persistent anxiety or distress without loss of contact with reality.

Her neurosis causes constant worry, but she remains grounded in reality.

An anxious adult repeatedly checking an ordinary door lock, surroundings entirely real and normal, concerned facial expression, respectful portrayal without caricature.

Etymology

The pieces describe an abnormal condition of the nerves. Originally covering several nervous-system disorders, the term later acquired a psychological sense involving distress without a radical loss of touch with reality.

In context

Deep Dive Global33:23

So, what used to just be categorized as a general neurosis or a nervous breakdown was surgically carved up. You now had generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder

The Victorian Nervous Breakdown: A History of Neurasthenia and Social Control

More examples

Therapy helps him manage the fears associated with his neurosis.
Older medical texts classify several anxiety conditions as neuroses.
She describes her neurosis as an endless cycle of irrational worry.

Forms

neurosis · neuroses

neurotic adjective — Marked by persistent anxiety or emotional distress.

Similar words

anxiety: Describes worry or fear rather than the broader psychological condition.
anxiety disorder: Names a specific diagnostic category rather than this older umbrella term.