MONIQUE MAVRONICOLAS MENATL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

INCCORPORATING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction
The objective of this assignment is to discuss a range of mental health approaches
and methods. The aim of the assignment is to recognise mental health models,
compare the different approaches and justify the relevance of these models. In
addition the paper will also focus on psychological abnormalities and mental illness
by not only showing an understanding of the concept but also evaluation methods.
The World Health organisation defines mental health as: A state of well-being in
which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution
to his or her community. On the contrary mental illness is defined by the World
Health Organisation as: Mental disorders comprise a broad range of problems, with
different symptoms. However, they are generally characterized by some combination
of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others. Examples
are schizophrenia, depression, mental retardation and disorders due to drug abuse.
Most of these disorders can be successfully treated.
As our understanding of mental health increases, more health care professionals
realise how controversial the tick boxes are in understanding mental health. With
various research taking place in different fields of study, each disciplines
methodologies are subject to their research, depicted viewpoint and often design
their own conceptual mental health model to explain their findings. As we evolve
though time our understandings of basic psychology (Abnormal, Affective science,
Affective neuroscience, Behaviourism, Behavioural neuroscience, Cognitive,
Cognitive neuroscience, Comparative, Cross-cultural, Cultural, Developmental,
Differential, Evolutionary, Experimental, Intelligence, Mathematical,
Neuropsychology, Personality, Psycholinguistics, Psychophysics, Psychophysiology,
Social, Theoretical) ,applied psychology (Anomalistic, Applied behaviour analysis,
Assessment, Clinical, Community, Consumer, Counselling, Educational,
Ergonomics, Feminist, Forensic, Health, Industrial and organizational, Legal, Media,
Military, Music, Occupational health, Pastoral, Political, Psychometrics, Religion,
School, Sport and exercise, Suicidality, Systems, Traffic) and the orientations or
therapies (Adlerian, Analytical, Behaviourism, Cognitive behavioural therapy,
Cognitivist, Descriptive, Ecological systems theory, Emotionally focused therapy,
Existential therapy, Family therapy, Feminist therapy, Gestalt psychology,
Humanistic, Logo therapy, Narrative therapy, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis,
Psychoanalytic theory, Psychodrama, Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Rational
emotive behaviour therapy, Transpersonal) of these evolve too. With so many
aspects, theories, treatments and psychologies, it is hard to keep up with all the
various approaches. For the purpose of this assignment 9 models/approaches will be
discussed starting with an overview and ending with a tables that includes but not
limited to, advantages, disadvantages and how the approaches can be applied to a
specific illness/ mental health disorder.
The Medical model/approach
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MONIQUE MAVRONICOLAS MENATL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

INCCORPORATING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

This model treats mental illness in the same way as if there is believed to be a
physical cause. It considers symptoms to be external signs of the internal somatic
conditions and the thought is that of; if the symptoms are collected into similar
groups, they will be able to be distinguished as syndrome and this will lead them to
the discovery of the true cause and suitable physical treatment can be administered.
The emphasis of this approach is on genetics, neurotransmitters, neurophysiology,
neuroanatomy and argues that mental disorders are related to the physical structure
and functioning of the brain. Examples of mental disorders that can be based,
treated within the biological model but not limited. Schizophrenia an illness that can
be identified by the biological model not just due to the link to genetics
(predisposition to developing), biochemistry (elevated levels of dopamine) that can
be associated with schizophrenia, neuroanatomy (brain structure) abnormalities in
the frontal and pre-frontal cortex and enlarged ventricles. People who suffer with the
illness are often characterised by psychosis or otherwise known as a break with
reality. They may perceive things that are not there (hearing voices, seeing
hallucinations), believing things are not true (paranoid delusions), bizarre language
and going off on tangents when they speak. People that suffer from schizophrenia
often show behavioural disturbances having difficulty taking care of themselves
which includes dressing themselves, shopping, paying bills and poor social skills,
often being socially withdrawn.
The Behavioural model
Psychologist that researched mental health and illness through the behavioural
approach, based their assumptions on the belief that observable empirical data can
be obtained through controlled observation that could be scientifically measured.
They suggested that psychology should be seen as a science and that mental health
or illness (or our behaviour due to this) is a result of stimulus. Some of the other
basic assumptions were that mental health or mental illness could be cause by
conditioning. One conditions oneself without realising it by doing everyday things and
associating some things with negativity and others through positive association.
Therefore the approach suggest that ones mental health or illness is influence by
their environment and conditioning. Illnesses such as phobias, that takes place due
to classical conditioning (in ones past one learned to associate emotion of fear with
the stimulus that create the fear). Based on this there are a lot of underlying
environmental influences that has an impact on behaviour. The idea that the person
might have a mental illness is not considered as the model does not allow space for
mental structures but rather the behaviour of the person.
The Psychological model
The core assumption of this approach is that the roots of mental disorders are
psychological. The disorder is within the unconscious mind and are the result the
failure of defence mechanisms to protect the self (or ego) from anxiety. Many of
these intrapsychic conflicts involve basic biological instincts, especially sexual ones.

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Many adult problems are reflections of these earlier conflicts, particularly those
stemming from infancy and early childhood (such as the Oedipus conflict).
Spiritual model
Suggested as one of the oldest models behind mental health issues. The model
suggests that religion is key and that those with mental illnesses have either
committed sin and therefor have been possessed with demons or spirits. A lot of
these aspects touch on religion hence the association of sin and been doomed or
possessed. The model also suggests that it is closely tied into cultural beliefs, where
a culture connects its beliefs of the unexplained (due to uneducated and ill informed)
or not able to understand to the unacceptable. Contrary to the aforementioned
cultural believes and their views of mental health, in society today, the believe is that
religion or spirituality could contribute to mental health.
Moral character model
The character model suggests that ones moral values are inevitable embedded in
ones outsets of mental health. The way we were taught as to what was right and
wrong according to society, the things that are acceptable and those that arent. The
model link our morality and mental health in view of our character. It suggests that
our coping mechanisms or the way we embrace life are both influential from a moral
character point of view. The model assumes that the majority of people have
somewhat stable and characters traits that will define their actions. Therefor a
person with a certain character, which impacts, possibly even defines, how they act
and how they live their life. Unfortunately as we live in an unlawful society today we
can conclude that how people act much rather depends on the situation or their
circumstances.
Social model
The social model puts forward that systematic obstacles, negative attitudes and the
response of society could affect how a person is seen in society and defined by
society. The model recognises that some people might have some forms of
disadvantages or mental impairments, but none of these lead to disabilities unless
society fail to include people regardless of their differences. It also suggest that
society plays a role in the empowerment and management to equal rights in order for
people to be able to live life to the best of their ability. Although it includes some of
the medical model aspects (psychological and biological factors) if poses it in a way
that suggests the power that causes and affects mental health most is due to
societal limitations.

Psychosocial model

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MONIQUE MAVRONICOLAS MENATL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

INCCORPORATING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

The model combines aspects from both the social and psychological models,
suggesting that mental illness are cause by a combination of factors. It suggests that
mental disorders are not only impacted by environmental and situational
circumstances but also how our personalities are built up throughout our life and how
the environment and situational circumstances influence these stages that could
cause mental health.
Statistical model/infrequency
This model suggests that people with IQs above or below the average level of
society is abnormal, which will lead to the abnormality of a persons thinking, traits
and behaviour. Thus suggesting that abnormal behaviour in people would be very
rare or statistically unusual according and to the contrary that people with high IQs
are abnormal rather than highly intelligent.
The distribution curve above suggests that
there are a lot of people who are typically big
or aggressive whereas very few people are
very small or highly aggressive. Thus, there
are as many people or scores above the
mean as below it, in a normal distribution.
The further one scores from the mean, the
fewer people or scores there are in the
population. Thus the idea of abnormality is within the 4.56% range overall,
suggesting that there are very few people being abnormal.
Biopsychosocial model
The biopsychosocial model suggests that mental illness and mental health is a result
of an amalgamation of
influences including the
biology of the individual
(genetic predispositions,
chemical imbalances),
behavioural factors (lifestyle,
stress, health beliefs), and
social conditions (cultural
influences, family
relationships, social
support). The model and its
relationship to health is
depicted in the figure aside.

Model
Medical

Best Applies
to
OCD,

Strengths
As the model is based on

Limitations
Some of the treatments
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MONIQUE MAVRONICOLAS MENATL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

INCCORPORATING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Schizophrenia

Behavioural and Phobias and

cognitive
OCD

Psychological/
Psychodynamic

Personality
disorders

biological science it is
objective and can give
insight to causes of some
conditions. The treatments
linked to this model is
easily administered and
effective in controlling the
illness. The idea that that
the person is sick and can
be treated reduces the
stigma of fear of mental
illness

have could have serious

side-effects, ECT can
cause memory loss and
are not always effective.
The drugs merely act by
managing the condition
rather than sure or find a
solution for it. Not allot of
mental illnesses have
physical causes and
therefore often ignores
that environmental and
psychological causes.
Treating mental illnesses
with medication requires
classification and there are
ethical issues with
labelling people as mental
ill.

Therapy is structured in
such a way that it can
focus directly on the
persons maladaptive
behaviour. The need for
history whether medical or
psychological plays no
role as its suggested that
if one could change the
persons behaviour from
maladaptive to adaptive is
adequate enough for a
remedy.

Only behaviour is
considered, thoughts and
feelings of cognition are
not taken into
consideration.
The therapy that
accompanies this model
may change the behaviour
but does not solve the root
of the cause of the
behaviour. It also ignores
the possible medical
causes, however taken
into consideration that
Skinner based the entire
model on the observations
from the behaviour of rats
in a box, it is to be
expected.
The psychodynamic model As this model is based on
is able to provide
the role learning plays in
believable explanations for human behaviour, it lacks
the causes of abnormality. scientific validity and is
It encourages people to
subjective to interpretation
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achieve to their full

potential.

Spiritual/
Religion

Depression,
Anxiety

Moral character

Body
Dysmorphic
Disorders

Social

Anorexia

Religion has the benefit of

empowering the individual
through connecting
him/her to a community,
and to a superior force,
that might in turn give
psychological stability
(Oman & Thorensen,
2003)
Basic personality traits
such as honesty, courage,
open mindedness assists
in the positive outlook in
ones life. The ability to
choose right from wrong
prevalent to society will
assist in managing mental
health

Problems caused is due to

of the therapist. Its time

consuming and could get
very expensive and is
based on Freuds bias
study and over focuses on
sexual issues. The
approach is very
determinist as it says that
suffering childhood trauma
will lead to abnormal
behaviour in adulthood,
however it ignores other
influences.
No scientific evidence to
suggest that the model
works.

Mental illness is not only

based on basic
characteristics. The model
does not include other
factors that play a great
part in mental health.
Societies view with
regards to some aspects
are tainted due to lack of
knowledge and this could
have a negative impact on
people trying to cope with
mental health issues. Most
people with mental health
issues do not
acknowledge most of the
issues they are dealing
with or has no idea how to
deal with these issues and
the model becomes
blurred
Adjustments made to
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societal impact

Bi-polar

The model provides

insight into the directions
of healthy development
across the lifespan and
explains culture and its
affects towards
development. It also
considers individual
differences and can
identify predictable
tensions by way of
socialization and
maturation.

A lot of different
mental
disorders

With several factors being

taken into consideration
social, psychological and
biological - genetic, early
childhood experiences, the
model the diagnoses and
treatment is greater.

Psychosocial

Biopsychosocia
l

reduce the demand of the

society may not suit every
person. Media plays a
very big role in social
interaction and could
advocate the wrong
acceptable image.
The impact culture has on
development, needs 2 be
elaborated in the sense
that other factors have an
impact too. The model
suggests that due to a life
stage circumstances a
person is negatively
affected but not everyone
responds the same way
and not achieve their full
potential will not mean that
one will suffer from mental
illness
Lengthy proses and could
become costly

Abnormality has been defined in a number of ways as unusual behaviour that is

different from the norm; behaviour that does not conform to social expectations or
demands; statistical infrequency; failure to function adequately; presence of
pronounced psychological suffering or distress; deviation from ideal mental health.
Depending on how data is gathered and how diagnoses are made, as many as 27%
of some population groups may be suffering from depression at any one time (NIMH,
2001)
Maladaptive behaviour is one of four criterias that could indicate abnormal
behaviour and is where a person's actions or behaviour is likely to hurt another
person whether physical or social, the examples could stretch from bullying to
physical harm. Statistical rarity as mentioned in the statistical model, person with
extremely low or significantly high IQ might be classified as being abnormal.
Personal distress refers to distress being the cause of abnormal behaviour in
people, like anxiety that leads to compulsive behaviour, unfortunately not all mental
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disorders have associations with distress and anxiety. Lastly violation of social
norms, behaviours that society deems inappropriate and not normal behaviour, and
could include many variable including but not limited to gender, culture and age.
As previously mention in the behavioural model, abnormal behaviour is regarded as
learnt by the processes of classical and operant conditioning. A case that is often
cited 'Little Albert' (Watson and Raynor 1920) is an example of how classic
conditioning has influenced the phobia. Another case often cited Carey and Carey
(1995) deliberated that the original inclination derived from taking drugs may have
acted as a reward and lead to addiction which occurred through operant
conditioning. The behavioural model has directed the development of aversion
therapy, systematic desensitisation for treating phobias and behaviour modification
programmes.
A biological/medical model often uses medical language such as patient, symptoms,
illness, treatment and has been the dominant model for over 200 years and have
advanced the understanding of many mental disorders. The use of serotonin
reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac appear effective in 65-75% of cases of
depression but in the same breath may cause negative side effects like insomnia.
Not only could the drugs have side effects they could also lead to dependency and in
the same light might be treating the symptoms rather than the causes. In addition to
this there is a possibility of biochemical imbalances may be caused by the cause
treatment rather than the psychological disorder. Bipolar depression and
schizophrenia has had the strongest evidence of genetic effects as suggested by the
medial model, but to date have not yet been able to distinguish the prevention of the
commencement of these psychopathologies.
Following the two models above and all the strengths and limitations as per the table
above, abnormal psychologies has to be allowed a variety of models to make a
contribution to the understanding of abnormality. Contributions to the explanation of
eating disorders have derived from biological, behavioural, cognitive,
psychodynamic, and humanistic models, just as many other mental illnesses has
been derived, listed and treated with various models.

The image below suggests the classification of Psychological Abnormalities

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MONIQUE MAVRONICOLAS MENATL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

INCCORPORATING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

References

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MONIQUE MAVRONICOLAS MENATL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

INCCORPORATING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Five Broad models of Mental Illness available at

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory-knowledge/201206/five-broad-modelsmental-illness-1 accessed on 24 April 04
The Medical Model available at http://www.simplypsychology.org/medical-model.html
accessed on 24 April 2015
Models of Mental health available at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicaleducation/publications/psychology-in-medicine/Chapter27.pdf accessed on 5 May
2015
http://as-psychology.pbworks.com/w/page/9174232/AbnormalityModels accessed on
4 May 2015
http://metapsychology.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?
type=book&id=7301&cn=135 accessed on 4 May 2015
Abnormal Psychology available at http://www.simplypsychology.org/abnormalpsychology.html accessed on 4 May 2015
Classifying psychology abnormalities available at
http://www.integratedsociopsychology.net/classifying_abnormality.html accessed 4
May 2015
Abnormality available at http://www.psychology4a.com/abnormal.html accessed on 4
May 2015

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