Neurosis is a general and often somewhat vague term for a non-psychotic mental disorder. This could be depression, panic or anxiety attacks, compulsions, phobias or even psychosamatic illnesses.
Psychosis is a serious illness, such as schizophrenia or paranoia.
The main difference is that if someone is neurotic they will have a sense of reality but their neurosis may affect their daily life. So they will still know what is going on around them, but if they are obsessive, they may have to wash their hands thirty times a day.
If someone is psychotic however, they will have little concep of reality. They will also have extremely abnormal feelings, thoughts and actions and be unable to understand or make sense of the world in which they live.
Usually people who are spychotic will need intensive treatment in a hospital for their safety and the safety of others, whilst neurotic patients can receive outpatient treatment.
Psychosis is a serious illness, such as schizophrenia or paranoia.
The main difference is that if someone is neurotic they will have a sense of reality but their neurosis may affect their daily life. So they will still know what is going on around them, but if they are obsessive, they may have to wash their hands thirty times a day.
If someone is psychotic however, they will have little concep of reality. They will also have extremely abnormal feelings, thoughts and actions and be unable to understand or make sense of the world in which they live.
Usually people who are spychotic will need intensive treatment in a hospital for their safety and the safety of others, whilst neurotic patients can receive outpatient treatment.
