Symptoms and Types of Neuroses and Character Disorders

Most people suffer from neuroses or a character disorder, and these "two conditions are disorders of responsibility, and as such they are opposite styles of relating to the world and its problems" (Peck, 1978, p.35). These two types of personalities are evident in everyone, and some people can have a little of both. Here is a description of each condition that I hope will help you understand your own mental state as well as others. When one understands the character problems they have they can begin to overcome and work with them.

I believe that I am more neurotic because neurotic people "assume too much responsibility", and I have a habit of trying to do too much (Peck, 1978, p.35). Neurotic people automatically assume that there is something wrong with them when they are having problems. "The speech of the neurotic is notable for such expressions as "I ought to," "I should," and "I shouldn't" (Peck, 1978, p.36). I find myself using these phrases often, and I believe that although it makes me neurotic these ideas help me learn. Neurotic people also suffer from anxiety, depression, and fear, and people suffering from these symptoms may have obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, or clinical depression. It is common for people with neuroses to have low self confidence, but these people are capable of learning from this disorder and overcoming it.

People with character disorders "automatically assume that "the world is at fault", and they rely heavily on phrases such as "I can't," "I couldn't," "I have to," and "I had to," (Peck, 1978, p.36). People with character disorders are harder to work with because they do not see fault in themselves. Since this type of disorder causes people do not see "themselves as the source of their problems," and "therefore they fail to recognize the necessity for self-examination" (Peck, 1978, p.36). This behavior is counter-productive.

People with character disorders can not deal with frustration. They are especially upset by people that get in the way of what they want, and their answer to these people is aggression and anger. People who suffer from character disorders live in the moment, and they choose not to dwell on the past or the future because it would cause them to have to way out the consequences of their actions. (Peck, 1978). These type of people also have a problem with authority figures, and they normally suffer from antisocial disorder, conduct disorder, and sociopathic disorder. (Peck, 1978)

Both of these characters are in everyone, but we can choose to acknowledge and work with them. Some people may be a little of both personalities as well. In order to live healthy and happy lives we "must continually assess and reassess" ourselves and "where our responsibility lies" (Peck, 1978, p.37).

References:

Peck, M.S. (1978). The Road less traveled: a new psychology of love, traditional values, and spiritual growth. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.