[Psychological aspects of drugs]

The "how" of prescribing is an important as what we prescribe. Drugs are part of everyday life for many people. The era of "social chemistry", the "inflation of drug use", or the "social use of drugs" create special difficulties for the "how" of prescribing. It is important that the expectation and fears of the patient are being taken seriously. The manner of prescribing has to depend on whether the patient interprets them negatively, as punishment and violent intrusion. But applications of drugs can also have a passive character, such as is the case with teas and baths. The physician should be aware of the contents of the package inserts, and keep them in mind so as to avoid mistaken interpretations by the patient. The psychological aspects of drug side effects are very important. A further concern is consideration of aspects of human interaction in diagnosis and therapy, also when applying medical drugs. Simplification of medication, written instruction concerning drug therapy addressed to the patient, intensified conversations with the patients on effects and side-effects of drugs are only a few practical examples of how patients can be influenced to the prescribed drugs more regularly.