Neuroticism Definition: What Does It Mean To Be “Neurotic?”

If you’ve heard the word “neurotic” used in casual conversation, you may be wondering what neuroticism encompasses. While “neurotic” may sometimes be invoked to describe anxieties or random compulsions, like double-checking that the oven is off before you leave the house, the concept of neuroticism encompasses a range of emotional and behavioral traits. Understanding neuroticism may help you better process the concept of neurotic tendencies. 

The definition of neuroticism

The word “neuroticism” stems from the concept of “neuroses,” a term that was once used to describe mental disorders. In the modern era, neuroticism is not considered a mental health condition, though high levels of neuroticism may be associated with an increased risk of certain mental illnesses, including but not limited to the following: 

• Eating disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Substance use disorders

Neuroticism as a personality trait refers to the likelihood of a person experiencing negative emotions such as anger, fear, irritability, and sadness. It can also cause self-consciousness and emotional instability and may be linked to mental health conditions like depression. While other factors can contribute to unpleasant feelings, a unique attribute of neuroticism is experiencing emotions more intensely than others. People with high levels of neuroticism may be more easily overwhelmed by their emotions, which can lead to a cycle in which one is anxious about one’s anxiety, sad about one’s sadness, etc.  

Neurotic traits and behaviors

Neuroticism can be split into two primary components: neurotic traits and behaviors. Below are a few of these traits to consider. 

Stress and anxiety

One core negative trait of neuroticism is a high disposition to stress or anxiety. People with neurotic traits may become quickly disturbed or overwhelmed in situations they perceive as stressful, and their intense reactions may be disproportional to the situation or others’ responses.

Low self-esteem 

Low self-esteem and consistent feelings of guilt or thoughts of self-blame are also included among neurotic traits, which may stem from perfectionism. As a result, people high in neuroticism may avoid situations with an increased likelihood of making a mistake or apologizing profusely for events they did not cause or influence.

Pessimism 

A person high in neuroticism may view the world through a pessimistic lens. They might experience strong, negative, or unstable emotions, such as envy, and they may be prone to rumination and obsessive thoughts. In some cases, neurotic traits may reveal themselves through physical symptoms seemingly unrelated to any clear medical cause, often manifesting as aches and pains in the head and stomach regions.

The differences between traits and behaviors

While traits encompass personality aspects or proclivities to certain responses, behaviors are specific actions or patterns that people engage in. For someone with neurotic traits such as a high disposition to stress or anxiety, related neurotic behaviors could look like the following:

• Worrying or over-analyzing situations 
• Ruminating or replaying situations and believing minor details or mistakes are indicative of failure
• Struggling to control emotions related to minor stressors
• Procrastinating on significant tasks to avoid intense stress

Associated neurotic behaviors to a pessimistic lens may include snapping quickly, complaining incessantly, showing irritability, or viewing ordinary situations as problematic or threatening.

People with high levels of neuroticism may also display common behaviors in relationships with friends, family, and partners. Such relationships may be characterized by dependency, neediness, or clinginess. Sabotage and enmeshment in social controversy and drama can look like provoking unnecessary arguments. 

Potential causes of neuroticism

There may not be a clear singular cause of developing neurotic tendencies. Researchers believe that genetic and environmental factors, most prominently childhood experiences, may come into play when influencing personality development, including a propensity for high neuroticism. However, there may be differences between each individual. Below are further explanations of these causes.  

Genetic factors

People with high levels of neuroticism may have been born with a nervous system that is more reactive to stressors. Several studies have explored specific genetic differences that may contribute to the probability of someone being more neurotic. For example, investigations on identical twins confirm that a gene integral to the brain’s ability to process serotonin (one of the “feel good” hormones) may present differently in people with neurotic tendencies, potentially impacting their ability to experience positive emotions. 

Another gene that may influence neuroticism development is the G72 gene, which plays a role in the body’s glutamate production, a neurotransmitter responsible for making brain processes run smoothly. People with more neurotic traits may have differences in their G72 gene expression, which could alter their glutamate levels. 

There may also be structural differences in the brain between people with high levels of neuroticism and those with less expression of the trait. These differences could be explained genetically or through lifestyle. One recent study found that when shown a series of disturbing images, people with high levels of neuroticism had less oxygen recorded in their brain’s prefrontal cortex than people with fewer neurotic tendencies.

The prefrontal cortex plays a role in various higher-level cognitive processes, and lower oxygen levels may impair its functioning so that neurotic expression may have a physical explanation. 

Childhood experiences

Neuroticism may also be influenced by factors in a person’s environment, such as their home environment in youth. Suppose they grew up in an unstable or chaotic situation due to frequent parental disagreements, domestic violence, substance use, and other challenges. In that case, they might develop a propensity towards anxiety and neuroticism as a means of self-defense. Childhood neglect, whether of physical needs or emotional needs, is also linked to the formation of neurotic tendencies.

Childhood experiences can shape a person’s idea of themselves. Young children may struggle to distinguish between what is happening around them, independent of their influence. This aspect of their developmental stage can lead a child to internalize chaos in their home as their fault, and they may develop negative beliefs about themselves. This sense of guilt and shame may persist into adulthood and manifest in neurotic behaviors. 

If children experience significant criticism or rejection, especially from their primary caregivers, they may start to think of themselves as fundamentally flawed, inadequate, and unlovable. This belief can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and neurotic tendencies throughout a child’s adult life. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.

If you are facing or witnessing abuse of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for support. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788. You can also use the online chat. 

Support for neurotic tendencies

Learning that anxious behavior could result from an innate personality trait can be overwhelming. However, if you are predisposed towards neuroticism, you don’t have to live your life in an elevated emotional state or have difficulties with relationships. It can be possible to process neurotic behaviors and learn how to manage negative emotions healthily with the help of a therapist.

High levels of neuroticism may lead to the development of anxiety, which can make it difficult to go to traditional in-person therapy. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp could be a beneficial alternative. With online therapy, you can attend therapy sessions from the comfort of your home. You can also change practitioners if the first counselor you match with isn’t compatible.

Research indicates that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy in supporting various mental health conditions and life concerns, including those associated with neuroticism. One study found that people with mental health disorders related to neurotic tendencies, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, found relief from their symptoms after completing a course of online treatment. If you are hoping to find help with processing neurotic thoughts and emotions, online therapy could provide additional support.