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  • Mental Health Issues
    • Anxiety
    • ADHD
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Depression
    • Grief
    • OCD
    • Personality Disorders
    • PTSD
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Marriage
    • Sex & Intimacy
    • Infidelity
    • Relationships 101
  • Wellness
    • Anger
    • Burnout
    • Stress
    • Sleep
    • Meditation
    • Mindfulness
    • Yoga
  • Therapy
    • Starting Therapy
    • Types of Therapy
    • Best Online Therapy Services
    • Online Couples Therapy
    • Online Therapy for Teens
  • Medication
    • Anxiety Medication
    • Depression Medication
    • ADHD Medication
    • Best Online Psychiatrist Options
  • My Mental Health
    • Men
    • Women
    • BIPOC
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    • Parents
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  • About Us
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    • Advertising Policy
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    • Join Our Free Directory
  • What Is Neurotic Anxiety?What Is Neurotic Anxiety?
  • Neurotic Vs. Regular AnxietyNeurotic Vs. Regular Anxiety
  • Neurotic Anxiety SymptomsNeurotic Anxiety Symptoms
  • Neurotic Anxiety ExamplesNeurotic Anxiety Examples
  • How Therapy Can HelpHow Therapy Can Help
  • ConclusionConclusion

Neurotic Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

Headshot of Hailey Shafir, LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS

Written by: Hailey Shafir, LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS

Dena Westphalen, Pharm. D.

Reviewed by: Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D

Published: September 8, 2023
Headshot of Hailey Shafir, LPCS, LCAS, CCS
Written by:

Hailey Shafir

LPCS, LCAS, CCS
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD

Neurotic anxiety involves anxious and uncomfortable feelings that arise when a person does not feel in control of themselves or their circumstances. Neurotic anxiety often leads to defensiveness and rigid patterns of behavior aimed at resolving inner conflicts and restoring a sense of control.1,2,3 Therapy is a frontline treatment for anxiety, and can help to reduce symptoms and teach new, healthier ways of coping with anxiety, stress, and uncertainty.

Find a supportive therapist that can help with anxiety. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is Neurotic Anxiety?

Neurotic anxiety is a term coined by Sigmund Freud to describe the emotional distress caused by inner conflicts between their ego (self-concept) and id (primal urges and desires). Unlike “objective” anxiety, which he defined as a normal fear response to an actual threat, neurotic anxiety is a form of anxiety that’s excessive, irrational, and stems from internal insecurities, rather than external threats.1,3

According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, a person experiences neurotic anxiety because of feeling like they are losing control over themselves, their lives, or when their ego is threatened. This anxiety causes them to become “neurotic,” which is a word used to describe dysfunctional and rigid responses to stress or anxiety in a desperate attempt to restore a sense of control.1

More recently, the definition of neurotic anxiety has been expanded to describe people who are more prone to stress and anxiety, and who also have controlling, rigid, “type A” personalities.

What Is Neuroticism?

In modern psychology, neuroticism is a word used to describe a personality trait that makes some people more likely to experience negative emotions, and also less equipped to cope in healthy ways with these emotions.2,3,4,5,6 People who score high on neuroticism in personality tests like the Big Five are known to be more at risk for developing a range of chronic health and mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, impulse control disorders, eating disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder.4,5,6

Neuroticism is a personality trait that can attach itself to a variety of different issues or conditions.2 For example, neurotic depression describes a depressed person who is also more likely to self-harm, attempt suicide, or be impulsive when experiencing symptoms of depression. Compared to non-neurotic depressed people, they are less emotionally stable and more impulsive, and may have more trouble thinking clearly and making good decisions, especially when depressed. 5

Neurotic Anxiety Vs. “Regular” Anxiety

The signs and symptoms of anxiety can be different for each person, and even neurotic anxiety can show up differently for people. Understanding the differences between “neurotic” and “non-neurotic” anxiety can be a useful way to differentiate between the two, as well as helping people identify which kind they struggle with.

Here is a summary of some of the main differences between neurotic and non-neurotic anxiety:3,4

Neurotic Anxiety Vs Non-Neurotic Anxiety

Neurotic Anxiety Symptoms

In addition to making people more vulnerable to these conditions, neurotic anxiety is often a symptom of other mental health disorders and will show up alongside other symptoms.2 Usually, neurotic anxiety increases and becomes more apparent during times of stress or hardship, which are also times when other mental health symptoms tend to increase as well.

Like all mental health conditions, anxiety causes distinct changes in the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Understanding the ways that a person’s mood, thoughts, and behaviors can change when they are experiencing neurotic anxiety is essential can help a person identify whether they are experiencing it and if so, how it shows up for them.

Below is a summary of some of the common ways that neurotic anxiety shows up as changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors:2,3

Changes in Neurotic Anxiety

Options For Anxiety Treatment

Talk Therapy – Get help from a licensed therapist. Betterhelp offers online therapy starting at $60 per week. Free Assessment


Psychiatry for Anxiety – Looking for anxiety treatment that prioritizes you? Talkiatry can help. Find an in-network psychiatrist you can see online. Get started with our short assessment. Visit Talkiatry

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp and Talkiatry.

Neurotic Anxiety Examples

Sometimes, it’s easier to identify signs and symptoms of neurotic anxiety when given clear examples of how it can show up for a specific person. With a better understanding of how it presents, once can also work to reduce neurotic anxiety symptoms with a professional.  Below are some examples of the different ways neurotic anxiety can present itself for people with different kinds of issues and disorders.

Neurotic Anxiety in People With OCD

A person with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) copes with their anxiety by using repetitive mental or behavioral acts (compulsions) in order to feel less anxious and more in control. Their anxiety tends to show up in the form of specific worried thoughts or fears (obsessions) that they become fixated on.7 Depending on the specific ‘subtype’ of OCD the person has (the theme of their obsessions), their compulsions can also present differently.8

Here are some common examples of obsessions and compulsions in different subtypes of OCD:7,8

  • Contamination OCD
    • Common obsessions: Worried about germs, bacterial or viral exposure, or getting dirty and being unable to get clean
    • Common compulsions: Hand washing, sanitizing surfaces, wearing gloves or masks, or frequent testing for exposure to viruses or bacteria
  • Harm OCD
    • Common obsessions: Thoughts, fears, or detailed imagined scenarios of harming or killing themselves or others or committing graphic or violent acts
    • Common compulsions: Avoiding triggers, including people, places, or situations, excessive online research about murders, sociopaths, or suicide, or dedicating a lot of time to doing ‘good’ or ‘pure’ deeds like praying, volunteering, etc
  • “Just Right” OCD
    • Common obsessions: Needing things or objects to be arranged in a certain way or needing to perform an action or task in a specific way, or with specific steps
    • Common compulsions: Arranging and rearranging things, organizing, revising, editing or checking something that was already done, or needing to re-do something a specific way or number of times

Neurotic Anxiety in a Perfectionist

People who describe themselves as perfectionists often struggle with anxiety, which shows up as rigid and unrealistically high standards they set for themselves, and possibly also for others. A perfectionist’s neurotic anxiety tends to show up as never being satisfied, always finding something they ‘should’ or ‘could’ have done better, and constantly feeling the need to overachieve.9

Some of the ways neurotic anxiety presents in someone who struggles with perfectionism include:9

  • High levels of self-doubt and lack of trust in their own abilities and capabilities
  • Restless dissatisfaction with themselves and their achievements
  • High internal pressure placed on themselves to do things ‘perfectly’
  • Low tolerance for mistakes and becoming highly self-critical when making one
  • Trouble prioritizing tasks or managing time effectively because of the need to be perfect
  • Interpreting any negative feedback as a sign of failure or rejection
  • Trouble being flexible, adaptable, and open to uncertainty or change

Neurotic Anxiety & Social Anxiety Disorder

Neurotic people may be more prone to shame, self-consciousness, and negative beliefs about themselves that make them more socially anxious.(Paulus) People with social anxiety disorder have fears about being negatively judged by other people, which can show up only in certain kinds of interactions (i.e. dates, speeches, or job interviews) or in almost all interactions.7

People with social anxiety cope by either avoiding these kinds of feared interactions or by putting a lot of effort into trying to control how they are perceived in them.

Here are some examples of neurotic anxiety in people who struggle with social anxiety disorder:7

  • Excessive worry or dread before social interactions
  • Extreme self-consciousness and discomfort during social interactions
  • Overthinking everything they say or do during an interaction and self-censoring
  • Trying too hard to seem interesting, smart, cool, or to get people to like them
  • Adopting a false persona to be more likable or make a positive impression on others
  • Replaying awkward or embarrassing interactions over and over afterwards
  • Mentally rehearsing or practicing conversations ahead of time to feel more prepared
  • Avoiding social situations that are unfamiliar, uncertain, or uncomfortable for them

When & How a Therapist Can Help

Anxiety is highly treatable, and many people experience an improvement in their symptoms with just therapy, although some people benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.7 Most people with neurotic anxiety are struggling with another underlying mental health condition, and most of these can be effectively treated or at least improved with therapy.

In group or individual therapy, a client can learn healthier and more effective ways to cope with anxiety, and can also learn how to avoid making impulsive decisions that cause more problems for them. The goal of therapy is normally to reduce anxiety, improve functioning, and learn more effective methods of coping with symptoms.

Different therapists use different types of therapy, and it’s important to find a therapist you like who uses a style or approach that works for you. Some examples of therapies that can help reduce symptoms of neurotic anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and exposure therapy.

Finding a Therapist

Most people begin their search online when they’re interested in finding a therapist, and many use an online therapist directory to find therapists who have specific training or specialties.

Final Thoughts

Neurotic anxiety describes a type of anxiety that stems from inner insecurities, urges, or fears of losing control. People who suffer from neurotic anxiety often have another mental health condition, with anxiety, mood, eating, or obsessive compulsive disorders being most common. This kind of anxiety often leads people to become defensive, impulsive, overreactive, and to engage in behaviors aimed at restoring a sense of control.2,3,6

Unfortunately, many of the neurotic behaviors and defenses a person will use can backfire, making their anxiety worse and causing additional problems for them. Therapy can help people with neurotic anxiety learn better, more effective methods of coping and responding to anxiety, which can greatly improve their quality of life and ability to function.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minutes weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month)*. Get Started

Anxiety Newsletter

A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those impacted by anxiety. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

Learn Mindfulness, Meditation, & Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Online-Therapy.com, Hims / Hers, and Mindfulness.com. *Hims / Hers Disclaimer: Subscription required. After first month, price is $85/month for a monthly subscription or $49/month for a three-month subscription ($123 for first order, $147 billed quarterly thereafter). Subscription automatically renews unless you cancel at least 7 days before renewal is processed.

For Further Reading

  • Recommended self-help books for people with anxiety
  • Anxiety quotes & stories
  • Anxiety & Depression Association of America’s (ADAA) website
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website with articles, information, resources, treatment, and support groups for people with anxiety
  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov

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Why should I sit in discomfort?

When I first meet someone new for treatment, I start by saying that discomfort and anxiety are just feelings, like any other feelings. Anxiety, in and of itself, is not “bad”—it can even be very important when it works properly. It can teach us what might not be safe. If I am crossing a busy intersection, I need something that lets me know when I have to act. Discomfort helps us to learn, to decipher what we value, what we want, and what we would like to avoid.  Read More

Is OCD a form of Anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety or worry at some point in their lives. For people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD, the anxiety of intrusive thoughts is what compels them toward compulsive rituals and/or avoidance. It often feels like they must do these things or else something bad will happen, which can lead to strong feelings of anxiety. But does that mean OCD is a type of anxiety disorder? If not, what’s the difference, and how are they connected? Read More

“How OCD Turns Your Anxiety Against You”

I know it may seem hard to believe, but anxiety is actually useful. It’s an important feeling to have. Anxiety serves to warn us of danger and should work as a protective agent. When the anxiety system in your brain is working correctly you can be alerted to potentially threatening situations and react accordingly. This helps you to survive things more effectively. This is often referred to as the fight, flight, or freeze response. Read More

This content is sponsored By NOCD.

Sources Update History

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Freud, S. (2013). The problem of anxiety. Read Books Ltd.

  • Paulus, D. J., Vanwoerden, S., Norton, P. J., & Sharp, C. (2016). From neuroticism to anxiety: Examining unique contributions of three transdiagnostic vulnerability factors. Personality and Individual Differences, 94, 38-43.

  • Iacovou, S. (2011). What is the Difference Between Existential Anxiety and so Called Neurotic Anxiety?. Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 22(2)

  • Zinbarg, R.E., Mineka, S., Bobova, L., Craske, M.G., Vrshek-Schallhorn, S., Griffith, J.W.,…Anand, D. (2016). Testing a hierarchical model of neuroticism and its cognitive facets: Latent structure and prospective prediction of first onsets of anxiety and unipolar mood disorders during 3 years in late adolescence. Clinical Psychological Science. doi: 10.1177/2167702615618162

  • Winokur, G., Black, D. W., & Nasrallah, A. (1987). Neurotic depression: a diagnosis based on preexisting characteristics. European archives of psychiatry and neurological sciences, 236(6), 343–348. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377423

  • Widiger, T. A., & Oltmanns, J. R. (2017). Neuroticism is a fundamental domain of personality with enormous public health implications. World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 16(2), 144–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20411

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

  • McKay, D., et al. 2004. A critical evaluation of obsessive-compulsive disorder subtypes: Symptoms vs mechanisms. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 283-313.

  • Maloney, G. K., Egan, S. J., Kane, R. T., & Rees, C. S. (2014). An etiological model of perfectionism. PloS one, 9(5), e94757. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094757

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We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

September 8, 2023
Author: No Change
Reviewer: No Change
Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources.
November 3, 2021
Author: Hailey Shafir, LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS
Reviewer: Dena Westphalen, PharmD
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  • What Is Neurotic Anxiety?What Is Neurotic Anxiety?
  • Neurotic Vs. Regular AnxietyNeurotic Vs. Regular Anxiety
  • Neurotic Anxiety SymptomsNeurotic Anxiety Symptoms
  • Neurotic Anxiety ExamplesNeurotic Anxiety Examples
  • How Therapy Can HelpHow Therapy Can Help
  • ConclusionConclusion
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