The relevance of Nash equilibrium to psychiatric disorders. (2011)

“the Nash equilibrium is a prominent tool for analysing any interdependence between interacting parties. The Nash equilibrium could aptly be introduced for describing a patient’s mental health status.

Tassos Patokos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 2011; 32: 245-258.

In game theory, the word ‘game’ is used to describe any interdependence between interacting parties, and the Nash equilibrium is a prominent tool for analysing such interactions. Patokos argues that the concept of the Nash equilibrium may also be used in non-gaming contexts.

An individual is in a Nash equilibrium if his or her beliefs are consistent with his or her actions. Given that discordance between beliefs and behaviour is a typical cause of psychiatric disorders, individuals who are not in a Nash equilibrium are likely to be affected by such disorders. In this regard, the concept of the Nash equilibrium could aptly be introduced into the medical practitioner’s vocabulary for describing a patient’s mental health status.

Access the full paper here: The relevance of Nash equilibrium to psychiatric disorders.