1. a mental or emotional disorder involving symptoms of stress, anxiety, or obsessive behavior but not a radical loss of touch with reality
Usage: psychology; medical
2. excessive and irrational anxiety or obsession about something
Usage: informal

Examples

• The therapist diagnosed her with an anxiety neurosis.
• His neurosis about germs made him wash his hands constantly.
• She developed a neurosis about being late to appointments.
• The patient’s neurosis interfered with his daily functioning.
• Treatment helped reduce the symptoms of her neurosis.
• His neurosis about money caused him to check his bank account multiple times daily.