Psychology Addict # 16 - The Biopsychosocial Model

The Biological and Psychological Aspects

The biopsychosocial model (or biopsychosocial perspective) refuses to approach ill mental -health, or well-being as a result of biological aspects only. Instead, it takes into account three determiners: the body’s biology – particularly the biology of the brain, the psychological state of the individual, and his/her social conditions. Moreover, according to the biopsychosocial model, not only do these three aspects contribute to the individual’s well-being or angst, but they are dependent on each other. Therefore, when there is a change in someone’s social condition (a job loss), their psychology is expected to be altered (anxiety arises). Equally, when there is a change in someone’s psychology, their social interaction is also affected; finally, when someone’s psychological circumstance changes so does their brain activity.

According to this model, there is no such thing as ‘the most relevant’ determiner, as changes generally don’t take place in only one of the three aspects. For instance, an individual who undergoes medication in order to treat their mental distress won’t be just a passive recipient of the drug; expectations inevitably arise about its effects and results. In such scenario, both the biology and psychology factors are considered. This is also due to the fact that brain and mental events are highly intertwined; in fact, it is assumed that for every one mental event, there is a corresponding brain activity. The term ‘brain-mind’ is an outcome of this very notion, which refers to the parallel changes in both parts. For example, when under medication, the drug locks onto the individual’s brain, altering its activity pattern; hence, mood is consciously improved as a result of this event in the brain.

(Toates, 2012, p. 39)

The Social Aspects

A stressful work and or domestic environments often worsen distress. Feeling depressed might be a consequence of a broken relationship or bereavement, for instance. In many cases this depends upon the individual’s personal narrative: at the same time these are external events there is an unique meaning applied to them, something which is highly dependent on the individual. A circumstance that may be interpreted by someone as stressful may be easily managed by another person.

In order to put them into the context of either mental well-being or ill-health these very circumstances are examined from the perspective of the individual undergoing them. Unfortunately, some fall into a cycle of negative thinking; therefore triggering a pattern of bad memories brought up by a constant low mood state. Indeed, studies demonstrate that a certain state of mind (happiness or sadness) effectively bring back memories congruent with that very mood – Bower, 1981.

Holism & Reductionism

Holism is an approach that considers the whole picture. The biopsychosocial approach is a kind of holism. Reductionism, meanwhile, stands for the opposite; it selects and pays particular attention to a single component of the complex whole. To explain behaviour, for example, this approach isolates either the biological, psychological or sociological determiner. In specific cases, reductionism reaches even smaller scales: seeking events in specific areas of the brain as to explain mental, behavioural and social circumstances.

Reductionism is a largely adopted model to treat individuals afflicted by ill-mental health, generally focusing solely on the biological side of the condition, mostly addressing the brain as the only valid means of efficient intervention.

Still, in some cases it is rather insensitive to do so; there is a danger in attributing angst and distress exclusively to biological events. There is an interchange of components that make us feel the way we feel and that construct who we are, constantly and dynamically. This is precisely what the biopsychosocial model acknowledges.

[Original content by Abigail Dantes - 2017]

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Reference

Toates F., 2012, Core Concepts in Mental Health, Milton Keynes, Open University.

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