Abstract
The author presents basic concepts and knowledge concerning psychobiological mechanisms of stress involved in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, including the role of the hypothalamic – hypophyseal-adrenal axis, as well as of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. Moreover, the notion of eustress and distress is introduced and a model of "predisposition – stress" is proposed as a general psychobiological model underlying the pathogenesis of mental disorders. (Ed.)