Overly anxious, worried, or emotionally unstable, often about things that may not be that serious.
From 'neuro-' (nerve) plus '-otic' (relating to). Entered English in the 1800s from medical terminology describing nervous system disorders.
Neurotic used to be a serious medical diagnosis for nervous system disorders, but now it's casually used to describe anyone who's anxious—which shows how psychology terms get watered down in everyday speech while losing their clinical meaning.
Historically weaponized against women as a dismissal of their legitimate concerns, anxieties, and professional ambitions. The term pathologized normal female emotion while excusing male behavior.
Prefer clinical language: 'anxious,' 'experiencing anxiety,' or specific diagnostic terms when appropriate. Avoid 'neurotic' as casual dismissal.
["anxious","high-strung","worrisome","prone to anxiety"]
Women's emotional articulation and caution were often labeled 'neurotic' by male doctors who dismissed their own patient observations. Validating women's concerns is part of medical justice.
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