ノイローゼ

のいろーぜ
noun
neurosis; nervous breakdown
1. neurosis; nervous breakdown
a state of mental distress, anxiety, or obsessive worry, often used colloquially to describe being stressed to the breaking point
仕事(しごと)のストレスでノイローゼになりそうだ。
The stress from work is driving me crazy.
育児(いくじ)ノイローゼに(なや)母親(ははおや)()えている。
More mothers are suffering from parenting burnout.
この問題(もんだい)(かんが)えすぎてノイローゼ気味(ぎみ)だ。
I've been overthinking this problem to the point of anxiety.

ETYMOLOGY:
From German 'Neurose' (neurosis). This term entered Japanese through German medical terminology in the early 20th century.

USAGE:
While the medical term 'neurosis' is less used in modern psychology, ノイローゼ remains common in Japanese colloquial speech to describe being extremely stressed or anxious.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • ノイローゼになる - to have a nervous breakdown
  • ノイローゼ気味(ぎみ) - somewhat neurotic; on edge
  • 育児(いくじ)ノイローゼ - parenting burnout/depression
  • 受験(じゅけん)ノイローゼ - exam stress/anxiety

MODERN EQUIVALENTS:

  • 不安障害(ふあんしょうがい) - anxiety disorder (medical)
  • うつ病(うつびょう) - depression (medical)
  • バーンアウト - burnout