The history of mental disorders and associated research shows diverse ways of thinking about deviations from normal behaviors. The biological perspective views mental disorders of different types as health-related phenomena that stem predominantly from biological factors, and the psychological approach stresses disruptions in psychological processes. This expository essay will discuss the two perspectives comparatively, explore psychotropic medications’ importance in treatment, and present some concepts’ hypothetical applications.
Both biological and psychological perspectives seek to establish mental disorders’ root causes and nature. Despite operating completely different categories and relying on dissimilar types of evidence in theorizing cause-effect relationships, both approaches establish the structures imbalances in which lead to disorders. The biological perspective considers genetic/epigenetic factors, atypical brain functioning patterns, or the consequences of chemical imbalances affecting emotional regulation or behaviors (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). It explores complex biological structures, the elements of which, including genes, thresholds for stimulation, or brain activation patterns researched in fMRI investigations, are often observable and tied to human anatomy (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). In contrast, structures and models forming the psychological approach, including Freud’s iceberg model or Beck’s cognitive theory, “anatomize” the human psyche in an abstract sense or theorize on the psychological mechanisms of depression. Pursuing a similar goal of explaining the origins of mental disorders, the two approaches remain vastly diverse.
The approaches differ in terms of implications for research and clinical activities. The biological approach considers brain geography and associations between brain regions and their functions to collect evidence on brain functioning patterns in certain disorders (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). Current experimental and observational research suggests that those on the antisocial spectrum display similar deficits in brain functioning when engaging in emotional and cognitive tasks (Dugré et al., 2020). Genetic factors, such as the family history of depression, inform risk assessments for depressive disorders (Lebowitz & Ahn, 2017; Nevid & Rathu, 2021). In contrast, the psychological perspective gives rise to methods engaging a diagnosed person in thinking critically about their perceptions and behaviors (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). Finally, in psychological therapies, individuals learn to decode their unobvious needs or detect harmful behaviors or reactions to correct them later.
With its emphasis on brain chemistry, the biological approach advocates for the use of psychotropic medications (PMs). Despite not being a cure, PMs help to reduce unwanted symptoms and can be an effective supplement to psychotherapy sessions (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). The reason behind their importance is the ability to influence and regulate processes that cannot be controlled by the force of will. Particularly, by changing the central nervous system’s activity patterns, antianxiety medications effectively combat uncontrollable anxiety and difficulty getting to sleep (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). Spontaneously arising hallucinations are another example of issues patients cannot control. Antipsychotics, another type of PMs, can effectively block dopamine transmission in the brain, thus reducing visual and auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia and psychosis and promoting remission and increases in the quality of life (Ceraso et al., 2020). Thus, PMs promote short-term or long-term mental health improvements by interfering with processes beyond patients’ control.
Both approaches could help individuals to engage in self-analysis and hypothesize on their unique psychological issues’ possible sources. For instance, I sometimes accuse others of being overly emotional in situations requiring rational thought. Applying the principle of psychological projection, I could assume that this misunderstanding is linked with my own unhealthy emotional regulation habits and sensitivity I continuously deny. Regarding the biological approach, simplistic tools, such as the Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Scale, could maximize self-knowledge (Nevid & Rathu, 2021). Considering my relatively high score, I should continue building self-awareness to reduce peers’ unwanted influences and assess potential consequences prior to engaging in potentially risky behaviors when driving. Another regular application of the biological perspective refers to genetic influences in mental disease. It involves advising those whose biological parents or siblings display behaviors typical for personality disorders or are officially diagnosed to pay close attention to their own mental well-being and acknowledge this risk factor. If applied with caution, concepts peculiar to the two perspectives on mental disorders could increase mental health awareness and motivate getting professional assistance.
Finally, the biological and psychological perspectives on mental disorders aim to establish disorders’ root causes by prioritizing diverse factors. The difference promotes a variety of approaches to treatment that assist patients in normalizing processes they cannot control or teach them to prevent some unwanted ways of thinking. The use of PMs for patients with mental health issues exemplifies an attempt to remove uncontrollable barriers to healthy functioning.
References
Ceraso, A., Lin, J. J., Schneider-Thoma, J., Siafis, S., Tardy, M., Komossa, K., Heres, S., Kissling, W., Davis, J. M., & Leucht, S. (2020). Maintenance treatment with antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (8), 1-273. Web.
Dugré, J. R., Radua, J., Carignan-Allard, M., Dumais, A., Rubia, K., & Potvin, S. (2020). Neurofunctional abnormalities in antisocial spectrum: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies on five distinct neurocognitive research domains.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 119, 168-183. Web.
Lebowitz, M. S., & Ahn, W. K. (2017). Testing positive for a genetic predisposition to depression magnifies retrospective memory for depressive symptoms.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85(11), 1052-1063. Web.
Nevid, J. S., & Rathu, S. A. (2021). Abnormal psychology in a changing world (11th ed.). Pearson.