Resumo

CAMARA, Fernando Portela. Nonlinear dynamics and psychiatry: the dynamic nature of mental disorders. Rev. latinoam. psicopatol. fundam. [online]. 2008, vol.11, n.1, pp. 105-118. ISSN 1415-4714.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-47142008000100011.

Modern psychiatry was built on the association between psychopathology and synaptic physiology. This brought about important advances in the pharmacotherapy of mental illness. However, the introduction of the principles of nonlinear dynamics changed the focus on synaptic aspects into a focus on specific and pathologically autonomous approaches involved in psychopathologal phenomena. This trend began in the 1990s and brought in more systemic concepts of physiopathology and psychiatric treatment.

Palavras-chave : Psychiatry and nonlinear dynamics; psychiatry and non-equilibrium thermodynamics; dynamic diseases.