Abstract
The article presents a historical analysis of the neuroses study in psychology and physiology. Neurosis — a disease which is caused by the impact of severe psychotraumatic circumstances. This disease has a psychogenic origin and functional character (reversible, without organic lesions of the brain). The fundamental theoretical works of the scientistsin the field of interest, the results of practical studies of prominent national and foreign authors, articles and reviews in specialized and periodical publications are considered. The formation of a neurosis as a nosological unit is paid attention to, based on the established etiology and pathogenesis and a characteristic of clinico-morphological picture. The physiological features of the clinical picture for various forms of neuroses are examined. The role of stress as a special mental state, which is related to our physical and mental health, is assigned in the work. Excessive stress loads can often lead to neurotic personality. At the same time, as in the case of stress, mental trauma does not play a major role in the onset of the disease, but the individual's attitude toward the traumatic situation as pathogenic and the functioning of the mechanisms of personal psychological defense is of decisive importance. The article also considers neurotic mechanisms and the emergence on this basis of a number of internal diseases.