Different Approaches to Mental Disorders in Psychology
Given the amount of different mental disorders, the search to understand what causes them all seems vast. This essay will aim to present the assumptions that different models make about the origins and treatment of psychological disorders. Although there are a number of paradigms in the area of abnormal psychology, the biological, psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive are the four major models which place distinct interpretations. Each of the different approaches is considered to the degree that it is of value in practical terms, to the patient, and to the development of the theory. A significant point that will be made is that even though psychologists do not agree on what causes abnormality and how it can best be treated, they will have to compile their different views and contributions, and work together instead of compete with one another. With the aim of achieving a more accurate treatment, that will lead to the cure of each disturbed individual or at least to a significant improvement of their dysfunction, in a way that will allow them to lead a more normal life.
The essay will therefore address ‘what the underlying causes of psychological disorders truly are and what methods do psychologists use in their attempt to cure them?’ questions that our society asks.
Distinct mental disorders can be identified by occurring patterns of behaviour or symptoms that provide the basis for diagnosis. According to the biological model, also known as the medical model, symptoms are evidence of an underlying disease of the body, somewhere within the body or the brain of the individual. This perspective focuses on the physical aspects of a disorder in an effort to understand its characteristics. The idea here is that it is a natural ‘illness’; that there are physical symptoms and physical causes. So it could be a chemical imbalance in the brain of the individual, a brain defect, an infectious transmission or a genetic predisposition, all possible sources of psychological
The essay will therefore address ‘what the underlying causes of psychological disorders truly are and what methods do psychologists use in their attempt to cure them?’ questions that our society asks.
Distinct mental disorders can be identified by occurring patterns of behaviour or symptoms that provide the basis for diagnosis. According to the biological model, also known as the medical model, symptoms are evidence of an underlying disease of the body, somewhere within the body or the brain of the individual. This perspective focuses on the physical aspects of a disorder in an effort to understand its characteristics. The idea here is that it is a natural ‘illness’; that there are physical symptoms and physical causes. So it could be a chemical imbalance in the brain of the individual, a brain defect, an infectious transmission or a genetic predisposition, all possible sources of psychological
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