Originally: neurosis, especially of a phobic or obsessive type; an instance of this; (now chiefly historical). Later also: mental lethargy, especially as a category in psychological personality testing.
Origin
Early 20th century. From psycho- + asthenia, after French psychasthénie.
Definition of psychasthenia in US English:
psychasthenia
nounˌsʌɪkəsˈθiːnɪə
Psychology
Originally: neurosis, especially of a phobic or obsessive type; an instance of this; (now chiefly historical). Later also: mental lethargy, especially as a category in psychological personality testing.
Origin
Early 20th century. From psycho- + asthenia, after French psychasthénie.