Concepts of neurosis and somatoform disorders

  Neurosis is a group of psychiatric disorders that manifest mainly as anxiety, depression, fear, obsessive-compulsive, hypochondriac symptoms, or neurotic symptoms. The disorder has a personality basis, and its onset is often influenced by psychosocial (environmental) factors. The symptoms are not based on a verifiable organic lesion and are not proportional to the reality of the patient’s situation, but the patient feels distressed and powerless about the presence of symptoms, with complete or largely intact self-awareness and a prolonged course.  Somatoform disorder is a neurological disorder characterized by a persistent fear or belief in the predominance of various somatic symptoms. Patients repeatedly seek medical attention for these symptoms, and various negative medical tests and physician explanations fail to dispel their doubts. Even if some kind of somatic disorder is sometimes present, it does not explain the nature or extent of the symptoms complained of, or their distress and predominant perceptions. It is often accompanied by anxiety or depression. Patients often deny the presence of psychological factors, despite the fact that the onset and persistence of symptoms are closely related to unpleasant life events, difficulties or conflicts. The disorder is present in both men and women and has a chronic fluctuating course.