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neurosis vs. psychosis

neurosis vs. psychosis: What's the difference?

Psychosis is a mental condition that is often considered more severe than neurosis. Neurosis is usually used to describe the mental condition of a person who is very anxious and interpersonally maladjusted. Psychosis is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.

neurosis

[ noo-roh-sis, nyoo- ]
noun,
  1. a functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without objective evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality.
  2. a relatively mild personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision and a degree of social or interpersonal maladjustment.

psychosis

[ sahy-koh-sis ]
noun,
  1. a mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.
  2. any severe form of mental disorder, as schizophrenia or paranoia.