Development of a neurotic disorder is a result of the formation of the non-adaptive cognitive structures. Each structure conceptualizes the particular nature of perception, gained experience, specific features of the experience understanding, as well as human behavior. As a result of such cognitive structures, automatic thoughts, cognitive biases, and inadequate emotional sufferings occur that determine the choice of maladaptive behavioral strategies. Unconscious nonrational attitudes exacerbate the emotional state resulting in crystallization of non-adaptive behavioral patterns and development of a neurotic disorder. Within the framework of this study, the special focus will be on the examination of the changes that were observed in emotional state and cognitive attitudes of the patients before and after taking treatment in a hospital. Enrolled set consisted of 60 people with different forms of a neurotic disorder aged 25-44 years (M = 35.8, SD = 5.8 (36.7% men)). The experimental group included 30 people. Unlike the control group, the standard regimen of drug treatment was supplemented with the rational psychotherapy for these patients.

The paper presents the results of a study of dynamic changes in the severity of depression, it’s somatic manifestations, basic beliefs and dysfunctional attitudes in the course of treatment which included rational psychotherapy. The study sample consisted of 48 men and women with different forms of prediagnosed neurotic disorder aged 25-44 years (M = 32.6, SD = 5.3 (43.7% men)). Methods: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, N.V. Tarabrina, 2001), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI, N.V. Tarabrina, 2001), Janoff-Bulman The World Assumptions Questionnaire (M.A. Padun, A.V. Kotelnikova, 2007), A. Beck, A. Weissman Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS, M.L. Zakharova, 2013). Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis H-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis. As a result of the study, it was possible to identify gender differences in the dynamics of cognitive-affective manifestations of depression, somatic manifestations of depression and dysfunctional relationships. It has been found that women demonstrate greater progress in stabilizing their emotional state and developing the skills to recognize their dysfunctional thoughts. At the same time, men are distinguished by a more pronounced dynamics of change in beliefs about their own value, the ability to manage events and luck.