Abstract

SERSON, Breno. Pharmakon and binding: improving psychiatric pharmacotherapy. Vínculo [online]. 2007, vol.4, n.4, pp. 70-78. ISSN 1806-2490.

From Greek’s conception of pharmakon, which unifies the use of a therapeutic substance to general guidelines of a treatment given by the physician, we explore how to improve adherence and outcomes of psychopharmacological treatments. Based on the ancient ars medica rhetoric, and departing from initial transference phenomena within the physician-patient relationship, we seek a binding with the patient, leading to a therapeutic alliance and thus improving the effectiveness of psychiatric pharmacotherapy.

Keywords : Pharmakon; Binding; Rhetoric; Transference; Psychopharmacotherapy.