Mental and emotional disorder that affects only part of the personality , is accompanied by a less distorted perception of reality than in a psychosis , and is characterized by various physiological and mental disturbances (such as visceral symptoms and impaired concentration).
The neuroses include anxiety attacks, certain forms of depression , hypochondriasis , hysterical reactions, obsessive-compulsive disorder s, phobia s, various sexual dysfunction s, and some tic s. They have traditionally been thought to be based on emotional conflict in which a blocked impulse seeks expression in a disguised response or symptom. Behavioral psychologists regard them as learned, inappropriate responses to stress, which can be unlearned.