Describe and discuss the contribution of two different models of mental health in explaining Depression.

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Describe and discuss the contribution of two different models

of mental health in explaining Depression

Mental ill health has not always been identified in our society; it is only in the 20th century that illness' like schizophrenia and depression have been recognised. Before this time, anyone presenting behaviour that did not fit in with the social norm was seen to be 'possessed' by an evil spirit. It has been suggested that the accused in the Salem witch trials may have been mentally ill people, a theory which would make sense. The idea that people with psychological problems were possessed was very much a belief held by most of society however, the idea that these abnormalities came from our biology was not revolutionary. Hippocrates believed that 'psychopathology resulted from bodily disturbances' (Hippocrates, n.d., cited in Joseph. S, 2001, 33) He believed that the body consisted of 4 chemicals named the 4 humours, (black bile, yellow bile, blood and phlegm) if these 4 chemicals became unbalanced then we became ill either physically or mentally and the treatment would be to try and balance the chemicals by- for example- blood letting.

These ideas were the beginnings of what