neurotic

Worrying much more than necessary, especially about small things.

• I get neurotic about being late.
• Her neurotic checking was starting to annoy everyone.
• Don't be so neurotic; the door is definitely locked.

How to use it: neurotic about something (He is neurotic about keeping the kitchen clean.)

Similar words: overanxious, anxious, obsessive

Opposites: relaxed, easygoing

Common phrases: neurotic about something, a neurotic parent, neurotic behaviour

Having a mental health condition involving lasting worry or fear while remaining aware of reality.

• The report described her symptoms as neurotic.
• The study followed patients with neurotic disorders.
• Earlier medical writers grouped several conditions under neurotic illness.

Common phrases: neurotic symptoms, a neurotic patient, neurotic disorder

Affecting the nerves, or used to treat problems with the nerves.

• The old handbook recommends a neurotic remedy.
• The physician described the drug's neurotic effects.
• Several herbs were listed as neurotic medicines in the ancient text.

Common phrases: a neurotic remedy, neurotic medicines, neurotic effects

An unkind name for someone whose behaviour seems unusually worried, unreasonable, or strange.

• He called me a neurotic.
• I become a complete neurotic before every flight.
• She dismissed her demanding boss as a total neurotic.

Similar words: nervous wreck, nutcase

Common phrases: a complete neurotic, a total neurotic, such a neurotic

A person with a mental health condition involving lasting worry or fear while remaining aware of reality.

• The old report called the patient a neurotic.
• The psychiatrist's early work focused on neurotics.
• In that classification, a neurotic remained aware of reality.

Common phrases: a diagnosed neurotic, treatment of neurotics