The Medical Model

The Medical Model

Definition and Core Concepts

• Medical Model is a perspective within psychology that regards mental ill-health in the same way as physical illness.
• It suggests that every mental disorder can be classified on the basis of symptoms.
• The model sees mental illness as an outcome of biological factors like organic brain damage, genetic inheritance, or biochemical imbalances.
• Assumes that mental illnesses are universally applicable and are not influenced by culture or society.

Evaluation and Critiques

• Overreliance on antipsychotic medication is a common critique of the medical model. Overused medication can lead to physical dependence and possibly overshadow the psychological causes of mental ill-health.
• The medical model has been criticised for promoting labelling and stigma, as it tends to focus on symptoms and diagnoses rather than individuals and their experiences.
• The model has been accused of neglecting the social and psychological determinants of mental health.

Alternatives to the Medical Model

• The Psychodynamic approach, which considers the roles of unconscious thought processes and childhood experiences in shaping mental health.
• The Behavioural approach, which mainly focuses on learned behaviour as the cause of mental ill-health.
• The Cognitive Models, which target negative thought patterns and beliefs as the root of mental health disorders.
• Humanistic and Existential approaches prioritise personal growth, self-actualization, and an individual’s experiences in the world.