Another strength this that brain scanning and tech has identified biological aspects of many conditions. Also biological treatments are very effective for treating biological aspects with abnormality.
However, a weakness is that the approach is Reductionist which simplifies complex disorders to a simple set of factors and ignores other approaches. This reduces the validity of the approach.
Furthermore, genetic studies do not provide 100% concordance for a genetic link which suggests that other factors may cause it. For instance a trigger could be stressed which is not purely biological.
Lastly, drug treatment can provide support but not effective for all people and all disorders which means there are other factors are into play
Treatments (12 marks)
Two ways in which you can treat abnormality according to the biological approach – drugs and ECT. The biological approach suggests that different drugs can treat abnormality. The first drug treatment is Benzodiazepines. These work by slowing down the activity of the central nervous system and reduce central arousal. BZs enhance the actions of GABA which is a neurotransmitter and is the body’s natural form of anxiety relief. BZs reduce the tension and anxiety. Secondly, there are anti-depressive drugs which raise levels of serotonin and noradrenaline which helps treat depression. Lastly, anti-psychotic drugs act by reducing dopamine activity in the brain which relieves symptoms in schizophrenia such as hallucinations and hostility.
Drug treatments can be effective for many different disorders. But some disorders such as phobias, panic and eating disorders cannot be treated with the drugs.
Also drug treatments only treat the symptoms of the disorders via their effect on the biological changes in the brain and therefore is a highly reductionist treatment that ignores cognitive, emotional and environmental influences.
Lastly, drugs have many side effects such as weight gain, drowsiness and dizziness.
Another treatment is ECT. After the patient has given consent they are anesthetized. They are then given a muscle relaxant, tongue and teeth guard to protect them. Then they are given a minor shock of 100volts for 3-4 seconds and the patient may experience a slight seizure that may last 30secs to a minute. The patient may have 3-6 treatments per week for several weeks.
ECT is very effective and has a 70% improvement on depression. In addition, it has been questioned if the patient can they give informed consent if they are sectioned (are they emotionally capable). Furthermore long term treatment has been proven to damage memory and cause memory loss. Lastly, it can be numbing for the patient and although their depression may be better they will have no emotion
by
ellouise1997hotmailcom (student)
