neurosis

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neu·ro·sis / n(y)oŏˈrōsis/ • n. (pl. -ses / -ˌsēz/ ) Med. a relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms of stress (depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, hypochondria) but not a radical loss of touch with reality. Compare with psychosis. ∎  (in nontechnical use) excessive and irrational anxiety or obsession: apprehension over mounting debt has created a collective neurosis in the business world.

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