The biopsychosocial model (BPS) is a framework used to systematically consider the interactions between biological, psychological and social influences on human functioning, in the context of a person’s disease or illness (Boundless Psychology, 2016). This integrated approach suggests that health and sickness overlap and can be best understood by looking at the multiple combinations of these influences and how they interact and affect a person’s health and wellbeing (Wade, 2009). This assignment will aim to discuss the BPS model, describe the different perspectives within the theory and demonstrate how they apply to patient care. In order to do this, a case study of a person with a chronic health condition will be introduced and the factors …show more content…
The belief that the mind and body were separate, and that all diseases and disorders could be explained by science, founded this conceptual model (Sarafino, 2008). Ergo, this approach saw health care professionals focusing predominately on the physical processes and looked at biochemistry, pathology and other related fields to explain, diagnose and treat illness or disease (Wade, 2004). As a consequence, medical intervention was the primary method used to return the health of an individual to a pre-illness state ‘free from pain, disease or defect’ (Williams, 2016, p.1). However, this model did not take into account any of the external considerations that lead up to the development of certain health conditions. Nor did it consider that a person’s mind could play a role in becoming ill or getting well (Sarafino, 2008). (DOES THIS EXPLAIN IN BETTER …show more content…
HIV is transmitted from person to person during specific activities when an infected person’s bodily fluids, for example, semen, vaginal fluids, anal secretions or blood enters another person’s body (UNICEF, 2008). For transmission to occur these fluids have to come into contact with damaged, broken skin or the mucous membranes found inside the rectum, vagina, mouth or penis; through certain sexual behaviors or by using an infected needle/drug equipment (NHS, 2014). Once infected this virus gradually attacks and destroys certain cells of the body’s immune system. The very system that protects and defend the body from illness or infections (The Well Project, 2015). HIV specifically targets the CD4 cells or T ‘helper’ cells and reduces them in number causing the immune system to weaken, making the body vulnerable and less able to fight off infections (AVERTing HIV, 2015). If left untreated, HIV destroys so many of these cells that the immune system becomes too badly damaged, making the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and HIV related cancers. These infections would cause no reaction in a person with a normal immune system but for an HIV infected person, they can cause devastating illnesses (Aids.gov, 2010). This is the final stage of the HIV virus and is known as Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Unlike other viruses, the body cannot get rid of HIV, once caught the person has
The biopsychosocial model is a general model that states that biological, psychological, and social factors all play major roles in everyday life and health. The field of health psychology seeks to study how biology, behavior, and social situation influence overall health. Both are key to understanding how health affects behavior.
It is generally accepted within healthcare that to understand mental health we must adopt the biopsychosocial model. This model assumes that an interdependent relationship exists between biological, psychological and social factors which are involved in all aspects of mental health (Toates, 2010, p. 14). To be true to the model research must be holistic and not investigate the factors in isolation.
Valli, thank you for your insight into the biopsychosocial model. You mentioned that the public health model is similar to the biopsychosocial model. I do believe the prolonged substance abuse can damage the body and the brain. These effects can be permanent and irreversible damage. Through the use of PET scan, a person can see the effect drugs and alcohol has on the brain. There are some that disagree with this philosophy especially when discussing the use of a common drug as marijuana. Lewis (2014) points out the increase use of drugs in society has reached an all time high.
The model of addiction etiology that best describes why people get addicted and how best to help them is biopsychosocial model. The biopsychosocial model, first developed by cardiologist Dr. George Engel, is today widely accepted by the mental health professions. The biopsychosocial model describes addiction as a brain illness that causes personality and social problems. The biopsychosocial model lets us to make solid and accurate differences between substance use, abuse, and dependence. It also allows the signs of addiction to be recognized and structured into progressive stages.
The psychological construction of health is of crucial importance in defining a baseline understanding of how general health-related issues may be best understood. This is because the state of the mind plays a vitally important role in determining the extent to which one is defined as healthy. It is not an absolute determinant, but on the premise that the "mind is the measure of the man', and psychology is concerned with mental states, people's psychological health is the balancing factor for all other aspects of their health. Contentment and peace of mind stimulates other bodily functions that generate good health, even in the absence of perfect nutrition, ill health is easily attainable if individuals are affected by poor psychological factors,
In later centuries, however, this belief was cast aside. Medical professionals focused on identifying and treating symptoms through physical means such as drugs and surgery, and mostly ignored the role of mental states in the prevention and treatment of disease. To most doctors, the immune system was regarded as an autonomous entity, operating independently of the mind and behavior. Since the 1960's, however, researchers have realized that these ideas are incorrect, and have since been looking at the mind-body connection more closely and with more respect.
Before considering it a biomedical construct, illness is a human experience, deeply rooted in the social and cultural context in which we live. Besides clinical disease definitions; health problems are experienced at different levels in the life of each person. The whole course of an episode of illness, from its first sow until the therapeutic approach is felt different by each particular individual, shaped by multiple coordinated of his life. The identification, investigation and deepening of aspects of diseases is a favourite object of study of more than many social disciplines, among which sociology and health studies.
The universal understanding of “Health” has taken the form of which an individual’s physical and cognitive state of well being when it is compared to the majority of the population within the society in which he or she is residing in. Just as Norman Sartorius has mentioned in his article “The Meaning of Health and its Promotion”, a healthy person is often determined by whether or not if he or she is struggling with any medical complication and mental disorder. Sartorius’ claim in which “health” has three definitions that can help regular individuals and professionals identify the state of one’s well being corresponds with my interpretation of what is health like. I believe that health includes the condition of both the body and the mind, be
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, in short, called HIV, is a virus that attacks and weakens your immune system, which can later lead to the fatal stage known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Many people are uninformed of exactly how HIV is transmitted, but the most common route of transmission is through unprotected sexual intercourse. This is because body fluids such as semen that are infected with the HIV virus can enter another person’s body, thus spreading the virus. Other routes of transmission include: infected mother to baby and sharing needles with an infected person (Centers for Disease Control, 2001). Once the virus enters your body, it looks for it’s favorite cell, the T-cell, attaches its CD4 receptor to the CD4 cell (T-cell) and begins infecting the cell.
HIV-1 and HIV-2 are both viruses that attack the human immune system, but are contracted differently. Research shows that the strain HIV-1 was contracted from chimpanzees compared to HIV-2 which was contracted from sooty mangabeys (avert.org). Globally, “more than 90% of HIV infections are of the HIV-1 strain” (Madden, 2011). If one has contracted the HIV virus and does not seek medical attention, the introduction of other infections and diseases, including AIDS can occur. As mentioned earlier, HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system of humans. By this occurring, white blood cells that are significant in fighting off infection are being destroyed. Initially, this makes the human body susceptible and vulnerable to contracting new infections and diseases. There are three stages in which the HIV virus goes through in order to develop into AIDS. These three stages include: acute HIV infection, clinical latency and then AIDS. Stage one of the infection occurs two to four weeks after contracting the virus. In most cases, flu like symptoms will occur as the body’s response to the virus. The second stage of the HIV virus, victims will show little to any symptoms of the virus. The virus is continuing to reproduce, but at a slower rate compared to stage one. In the final stage of the HIV infection, one’s immune system is already in a severe state and the body is extremely vulnerable to infection. Without treatment in stage three of the HIV virus, one typically is given an average of two to three
My 10-month old son Jayden is in the first stage Infancy. The major life crisis of this particular stage is trust versus mistrust. For example, I on a daily basis read with my son and interact with him by playing with his toys with him that is an example of trust that I am building with him, but if I didn’t show affection, care, and reliability then that would lead to mistrust which results of him becoming fearful and believing the world is unpredictable and inconsistent. In this case Erikson crisis is being used in a positive way by me showing affection towards him so he can begin to trust the world and feel safe and secure from that surround him.
It is my philosophy as a nurse that as a unique human being, each person undergoes different experiences in life, which in combination with their above mentioned characteristics, affect their biopsychosocial needs. Psychiatrist, George L. Engel, theorized the biopsychosocial model which states, “that biological, psychological, and social factors, all play a significant role in human functioning in the context of disease or illness.” Therefore, if their biopsychosocial needs are disrupted in any form, this individual will reach out for assistance in order to regain biopsychosocial balance. My philosophy continues to encourage that each human being, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion,
Many definitions of ‘health’ have been given over time, yet the concept is often seen as difficult to affirm. Traditionally, it was defined in a scientific or medical context, largely based on the normal or abnormal biological and physiological functioning of the body (Wills, 2008). However, as perceptions of health continued to develop, this perspective, once dominant in western medicine has often been challenged (Wade, 2004). In 1948, The World Health Organization defined health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity '. Suggesting that in order to determine an individual’s experience of health or illness it would require the consideration of biological, psychological
Man is deemed to be both a biological and a social being; and as such, man’s health is depicted scientifically and sociologically (Williams & Bendelow, 1998). This recognition of man’s health as more than a biological phenomenon has highlighted the significance of the ontological and emotional component of health and illness (Williams & Bendelow, 1998, pp. 21-22). Illness, described as the “social meaning of the biological condition [disease]” (Eisenberg, 1977 cited in Conrad & Barker, 2010), is experienced as influenced by culture and social systems (Conrad & Barker, 2010). The process whereby an individual experience an illness has, subsequently, appealed and interest many scholars and researchers alike as noticeably indicated by the diverse literature currently available.
Illness is defined as the opposite of being healthy where one’s body undergoes the sense of being unwell through the manifestations of physical conditions. It is evident when one cannot perform his duties and responsibilities in the normal manner because of the presence of a disruption in his