The Washington times., 1933-07-10
Secrets OF
Health
BY LOUIS E. BISCH, M. D., Phi. d.
How to Discover How NeurOtic
You Are


You Are
To be neurotic means to be
suffering from a functional
nervous disorder.
The reason I stress the word
functional" is because a clear
distinction should be made be-
tween that and the term "or-
ganic."
In an organic nervous dis
ease the very substance, the
structure, of the nerves them
selves is altered. That is why
organic nerve affections are so
difficult to cure or improve.
In functional upset, how
ever, the structure of the
nerves themselves remains un-
changed, the trouble being that
the nerves are not coordinat-
ing properly and messages are
being sent to wrong places.
The result is that the patient
does not think as clearly and
effectively as he should, while
his emotional life is in a state
Of upset that may render him
distinctly miserable.
The neurotic conditions are
durable. With comparatively
few exceptions they are cur
able no matter how long they
have been in existence.
AS a matter of scientific fact,
we are all more or less neurotic.
The hustle and hustle, as we'll
as the stress and strain, Of
modern living has forced us to
be unusually alert and highly
sensitized. This has placed a
distinct burden upon the nerves
as a whole. When one con-
siders the compleXity of modern
civilization, its conflicts, repres-
Sions, uncertainties and what
not, one is bound to wonder
why most of us are not more
neurotic than we really are.
I daresay you will be surprised
when you read the following
lists of signs that indicate a
neurotic disposition. The per-
son who escapes neurotic traits
entirely is indeed a rarity. For
instance:
/. Does lightning put you in
a panic?
2. Do you always find it diff
cult to get upin the morning2
3. Are your feelings easily
hurt?
4. Have you aches and pains
that doctors say are purely
imaginary?
5. Are you afraid when alone
in the dark?
s. Are you convinced you
can never make good?
7. Are you irritable or given
to temper tantrums?
8. Do you find yourself con-
tinually dissatisfied?
9. Are you forever wondering
whether you have done right
or wrong?
10. Are you superstitious?
IL. Do you suffer from a feel
ing of impending danger?
IL. Do you exaggerate trifles?
13. Are you given to worry
without Justification?
IA. Are you moody?
Is. Is your concentration
poor?
In the above list 7 have set
down only neurotic manifesto
tions that are not specially har-
RAISING. These Is symptoms
could readily be extended to so.
A definitely established neu-
rosis can. however, become a
veritable torture. Especially is
this the case when obsessions
and compulsions-that is, fancl-
full ideas from which the pa
tient cannot rid his mind al
though he knows they are fool
ish-fasten themselves upon the
thinking.
Regarding the ordinary neu-
rotic, on the other hand, there
is nothing to worry about unless
the symptoms become so strong
and persistent that the indi-
viduaps general mode of living
and work are interefered with.
Such a person should then also
consult medical psychologist.
A neurotic can often do a
great deal for himself by real
izing that he is not organically
ill and by trying repeatedly to
overcome his symptoms through
an act of the will. This should
diligently be tried, at least, in
every case.
DIR. BiSch's Daily Diet Hint
During the summer months,
drinking water should be boiled
and then cooled unless the pur-
ity of the water supply is be-
yond suspicion. A good plan
is to cool the water, after boil
ing, in a large container, such
as an earthen jug, from which
quantities may he taken as
needed. Water for drinking
should never be too cold. Plac-
ing ice in it is bad practice.
Copyright. 1893. King Features
Syndicate, IncO