Rationale for Integrating Psychodynamic Theory into Pediatric Psychopharmacology

Psychodynamic perspective is valuable for guiding all psychopharmacological treatment, and it can be especially helpful when treating patients with treatment-resistant conditions. The conscious and symbolic meanings of medication for everyone within the family system need to be considered while prescribing medications to youth. Understanding what motivates the process of offering medication is essential to maximizing the therapeutic benefit of medications and to preventing either excessive polypharmacy or inadequate medication treatment. The importance of establishing a therapeutic alliance is also critical for medication adherence. This chapter reviews the framework and provides the practical guidelines for integrating psychodynamic concepts into psychopharmacology. Applying psychodynamic understanding can help providers become more effective prescribers and experience less burnout.