neurotic

adj. worrying too much about small details or things that might go wrong.

adj. characterised by excessive anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or emotional instability. Often used informally to describe a personality type rather than a clinical diagnosis.

“He is so neurotic about his health that he sees a doctor for every tiny cough.”

“Her neurotic tendencies became more pronounced under pressure, leading her to double-check every minor detail of the contract multiple times.”

Informal

adj. relating to a mental health condition that causes stress but does not involve losing touch with reality.

adj. pertaining to or suffering from neurosis. In modern clinical contexts, this term is less common than specific diagnostic labels but remains relevant in psychoanalytic theory.

“The patient showed neurotic symptoms that were linked to childhood stress.”

“The study examined the correlation between neurotic disorders and long-term exposure to high-stress work environments.”

Technical

n. a person who is often worried, nervous, or obsessed with small details.

n. a person affected with a neurosis or exhibiting obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Use as a noun can be perceived as reductive or insensitive in modern clinical settings.

“I'm such a neurotic when it comes to keeping my kitchen clean.”

“The protagonist is portrayed as a classic New York neurotic, constantly overanalysing his relationships and career choices.”

Informal