How Do You Spell DEFENSE PSYCHONEUROSIS?

1. Defense psychoneurosis refers to a psychological condition in which an individual's defense mechanisms become overly exaggerated or maladaptive, resulting in the manifestation of neurotic symptoms. This term is often used to describe a specific subset of neuroses that stem from the individual's attempts to cope with anxiety or emotional conflicts through the unconscious use of defense mechanisms.

   Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies that individuals utilize to protect themselves from distressing thoughts, feelings, or memories. However, in defense psychoneurosis, these defense mechanisms become excessive and problematic, leading to the impairment of daily functioning and the development of various symptoms.

   Common symptoms of defense psychoneurosis may include phobias, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, dissociative episodes, conversion symptoms, or even psychosomatic disorders. Additionally, individuals affected by defense psychoneurosis often display significant distress and impairment in their personal and social spheres due to the limitations imposed by their excessive defense mechanisms.

   The term "defense psychoneurosis" highlights the role of defense mechanisms in the manifestation and maintenance of neurotic symptoms. The condition is typically treated through psychotherapy, aiming to help individuals gain insight into their unconscious processes and develop healthier coping mechanisms. The therapeutic approach often involves exploring the underlying causes of the excessive defenses and fostering adaptive ways of managing anxiety or emotional conflicts.

2. Freud's term for hysteria and various neuroses and psychoses caused by some idea or sensation so painful that the sufferer endeavors to dismiss it from the mind; at times, instead of being absolutely forgotten, the thought sinks down into the subconsciousness and acts as the hidden cause of the psychoneurotic disturbances.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for DEFENSE PSYCHONEUROSIS

The term "defense psychoneurosis" is derived from a combination of two main components: "defense" and "psychoneurosis".

The word "defense" is derived from the Latin word "defendere", which means "to ward off" or "to protect". In the context of psychology, defense mechanisms refer to protective strategies employed by the ego to cope with unconscious conflicts or to shield oneself from anxiety.

The term "psychoneurosis" is a combination of two other terms: "psycho" and "neurosis". "Psycho" comes from the Greek word "psyche", which refers to the mind or soul. "Neurosis" is derived from the Greek word "neuron", meaning "nerve". Neurosis broadly refers to a mental or emotional disorder characterized by anxiety, distress, or inner conflict.