- Genes
- Bio-chemical substances
- Neuroanatomy
- Micro organisms
It also says that it can be genetic, passed from parent to child. Cure is only possible by removing by removing the root cause and returning the body to its ‘normal’ level of functioning.
The “Cognitive” model says that the issue is not the problem itself but the way you think about it. Irrational and faulty thinking prevents the individual behaving adaptively. An example of faulty thinking includes maladaptive assumptions about oneself and upsetting thoughts. These thoughts and feelings can often lead to failure and depression. Such distortions in the way we process information have been implicated in schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
While the “Biological” model’s view is that the individuals behaviour is determined by factors outside his or her control, the “Cognitive” model believes that the individual is in control. This is because individuals control their own thoughts and feelings.
Until the 18th century mental illness was blamed on demons and evil within the individual. The “Biological” model offered another source of blame- the illness, which was potentially treatable. With the “Cognitive” model it is not clear which comes first. Do thoughts and beliefs really cause disturbance, or do mental disorders lead to faulty thinking?
It is not clear whether abnormal biochemistry or abnormal neuroanatomy is a cause of abnormal behaviour or an effect. It may still be appropriate to treat the symptoms and alleviate some suffering.
The “Cognitive” model suggests that it is the patient who is responsible. The disorder is simply in the patient’s mind and recovery lies in changing that rather than the individual’s environment.
Because of its emphasis on scientific investigation and understanding, the “Biological” model is the most widely respected model of abnormality. The main assumption of the “Biological” model of abnormality is that diseases of the mind are actually diseases of the brain. The equation of the mind with the brain disease is used to justify the drug treatment for mental illness.
Cognitive and cognitive-behavioural therapies are becoming increasingly popular. They work well with certain disorders such as anxiety and depression, and offer long-term strategies for coping with problems. There is good research support.
As the patient plays a passive role in the “Medical” model, we must question the ethics of prescribing therapies that may alter or change a patient physically but for which he or she did not give consent. Consent may not be possible, either because the patient is not in their right state of mind and/or because the patient cannot properly assess the strengths and limitations of therapy.
In 1972 Thomas Szasz wrote a book (The myth of mental illness) which criticised that mental illness did not have a physical basis. He suggested that the concept of mental illness was ‘invented’ as a form of social control. He said that irrational beliefs cannot be explained by means of physical diseases and therefore cannot be called an illness in the same way as we would call epilepsy a physical illness.
The “Biological” model and the “Cognitive” model both have evidence to support their theories. However I do not believe that one single model is adequate enough to explain all instances of abnormality. Although two individuals have the same illness they may have different explanations for how they received it. Using only one model would also mean that you only have one persons opinion which would be bias.
