The decline of pharmaceutical psychiatry and the increasing role of psychological medicine

Abstract

The increasing influence of the pharmaceutical industry on psychiatric research and practice is leading to an intellectual and clinical crisis. A narrow concept of science attempts to apply oversimplified neurobiological models to the understanding and treatment of mental disorders, and relegates psychiatrists to a marginal role. This paper reviews some emerging trends of renewal that may be subsumed under the rubric of psychological medicine: use of a multidisciplinary approach, emphasis on psychotherapeutic strategies leading to self-management, reliance on repeated assessments, integration of different treatment modalities and independence from the pharmaceutical industry. The concept of psychological medicine, defined as the clinical application of the psychosomatic approach, may provide room for innovative paths in psychiatric research and treatment.