[The evolution of the concept of neuroses in Emil Kraepelin's textbooks].

Abstract

Background: The German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926) developed a nosology of mental illnesses, the main features of which are still valid today, particularly in the form of the differentiation between the affective and schizophrenic forms. However, little is known about his work on neuroses.

Objective: What development did Kraepelin's concept of neurosis undergo, especially with respect to its etiological theories, symptom complexes, basic characteristics and thus also included or excluded disorders? Which influencing factors played a decisive role in each case?

Material and methods: All neurosis-specific chapters of the 1st to 8th editions of Kraepelin's psychiatry textbook published between 1883 and 1915 were analyzed, compared and examined for changes and their motivations for change.

Results: The neurosis concept established in the 2nd edition is retained in its basic features until the 6th edition. In the 7th edition Kraepelin breaks with his original conception due to a lack of selectivity and only retains one subgroup: the "psychogenic neuroses". This was continued in the 8th edition under the name of "psychogenic disorders" and expanded to include new disorders.

Conclusion: Both social and professional neurological influencing factors can be identified for the development of Kraepelin's concept of neuroses.