What is it that causes distress in the mind of human beings? Being a biological theorist, I have a firm belief that it is something within the person that causes the problem. That something is not spiritual or underlying psychological issue, but deals with the chemistry of the body and brain. To return a person to a normalized state, we must find out what is not working in those two areas and fix it. How we fix it depends on how bad the problem is.
“With my background in physiology to credit my ideas, I published my seminal textbook The Principles of Psychology (1890), and advanced the idea that psychology should be studied in conjunction with biology.” (Cochran, 2013) Another psychologist in the field, Knight Dunlap, “advanced the concept of biological psychology by writing the book An Outline of Psychobiology.” (Cochran, 2013) Besides both our studies on the subject, there has been studies to show that what I believe is true. Neurotransmitters, electrical messages, in the brain release chemicals that go to the receptors passing the message along. “Researchers found that low activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, was linked to depression.” (Comer, 2013)
Genetics are also a large factor. “A person’s genotype (genetic makeup) interacts with the environment to produce physical or behavioral characteristics (the person’s phenotype).” (Sue, Sue & Sue, 2006) It is possible for a person to inherit a psychological problem from a parent, grandparent, or even an ancestor. Due to the Human Genome Project it was also found out that “While single cells have been found to be responsible for a few diseases, most diseases are the result of many genes interacting with hormones, electrical signals, and nutrient supplies in...
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... in recent years it has gotten more precise, it is still in the experimental phase. This is only used if every option has been exhausted.
Using the biological model as the guide, we can help to alleviate mental distress. Again while it take more time to develop medicine, as well as having undesirable effects, it does help in reducing the distress, and helping people continue normal lives. Is that not what matters most?
Works Cited
Cochran, B. R. (2013, December 24). What is biological psychology?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-biological-psychology.htm
Comer, R. J. (2013). Abnormal psychology. (8th ed., pp. 49-53). New York: Worth Publishers.
Sue, D., Sue, D. W., & Sue, S. (2006). Understanding abnormal behavior. (8th ed., p. 37). Cengage Learning. Retrieved from http://college.cengage.com/psychology/sue/abnormal/8e/students/outlines/ch02.html
Through my extensive research on depression I have learned a lot of new things. I have learned about the many forms of depression and treatment for depression. I have also learned a little about what is believed to go on chemically in the brain of a clinically depressed person. I was also able to partially determine what sort of role genetics, chemicals and personal influences in the brain. Though I was unable to determine exactly how environmental and personal stress can cause a chemical imbalance in a person, I was even able to speculate about this issue and determine some theories of my own on why and how this may happen.
... J. H., & Manos, M. J. (2004). Abnormal Psychology: Current Perspectives 9th ed. In L. B. Alloy, J. H. Riskind, & M. J. Manos, The Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sociocultural Perspectives (pp. 75-104). New York: McGraw Hill.
Depression is a mental illness, which affects millions of Americans each year. Currently there are many prescription drugs, called anti-depressants that have been proven to successfully treat it. The causes of depression are somewhat of a medical enigma, however, it is known that depression is associated with a change in the brains chemistry involving the function of neurotransmitters (Reichert). This chemical change occurs in healthy brain’s, which experience sadness, but ends after the unpleasant stimulus is removed. In people suffering from depression this chemical change does not correspond to any particular stimulus. Symptoms of depression are often incapacitating and include severe and extended sadness, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of emptiness, irritability and anxiety (Reichert, Spake).
The illnesses themselves occur due to interactions of many cells and other factors like stress, abuse, or a traumatic event that which can influence or trigger an illness that a person has inherited a susceptibility to; Infections in the brain; Brain defects or injuries; Prenatal damage; or Substance abuse and other factors like poor nutrition. Psychological factors deal with: Psychological trauma as a child such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; An important early loss, such as losing a parent; Neglect; or Poor ability to relate to others. And Environmental factors that deal with: Death or Divorce; A dysfunctional family life; Feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem; Changing jobs or schools; Social or Cultural expectations; or Substance abuse by them or their parents. There are many types of mental illness, and the most common include: Anxiety disorders, Mood disorders, Psychotic disorders, Eating disorders, Impulse control and Addiction disorders, Personality disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Barlow, H. D., Durand, V. M. (2012). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Mental health treatment can help some people recover from their illness and can alleviate painful symptoms, prevent deterioration, and protect them from suicide. It can improve independent
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Rector, N. A. (2011). Abnormal psychology. (2 ed., p. 297, 321, 322,
The biologic basis of Clinical Depression originates in the brain. Your brain is made up of a complex network of nerve cells, called neurons and of brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters transmit messages from one neuron to another. Two of these neurotransmitters are not produced in sufficient quantities in a depressed person’s brain. Because of this lack, too few messages get transmitted between neurons and the symptoms of depression occur. In Clinical depression the chemicals in the brain are out-of-balance. New technology allows researchers to take pictures of the brain that show activity levels in the brain. These imaging techniques such as f-MRI and PET scan actually create images of how active different parts of the brain are. Some studies with these kinds of techniques have suggested that the patterns of activation in the brains of depressed people are different than those who are not. These tests can help doctors and researchers learn more about depression and other mental illnesses. Since this research is fairly new, it is not yet used to diagnose clinical depression.
Irwin G. Sarason and Barbara R. Sara, Abnormal Psychology: The Problem of Maladaptive Behavior,10th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2002)
Bio-Psychologists study the principles of biology as it relates to the comprehension of psychology in the field neuroscience that underlies ones emotions, ideology, and actions (Brittanica). Based upon the conduction of research, the relationship between the brain and ones behavior extends to the physiological process in one’s intellect. Scientists are cognizant that neurotransmitters function as a significant role in mood regulation and other aspects of psychological problems including depression and anxiety. A biological perspective are relevant to psychology in three techniques including: the comparative method, physiology, and the investigation of inheritance (Saul Mc. Leod).
Barlow, David H., Vincent Mark. Durand, and Sherry H. Stewart. Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2012. 140-45. Print.
Barlow, D., Durand, V., & Stewart, S. (2009). Abnormal psychology an integrative apporach. (2nd ed.). United States of America: Wadsworth
I think the best, most logical, and most realistic explanation of abnormal behavior is the multicultural model, which according to the textbook is “the view that each culture within a larger society has a particular set of values and beliefs, as well as special external pressures, that help account for the behavior of its members” (62). This particular model attributes environmental and social factors as causing abnormal and dysfunctional psychological functions, because of their prominent and powerful influence on individuals’ conscious and subconscious, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This models also acknowledges and respects cultural diversity, while catering to these differences in ways that specifically emphasizes and celebrates these
Mental disorders are rapidly becoming more common with each new generation born in the world. Currently, nearly one in two people suffer from some form of depression, anxiety, or other mental health problem at some point in their lives (Editor). With so many people suffering from their mental illnesses, steps have been taken in order to get help needed for these people but progress has been slow. In the medical world, hospitals are treating those with physical problems with more care than those with mental problems. Prescription drugs can only do so much helping the mentally ill go through their daily lives and more should be done to help those who need more than medicine to cope with their illness. Mental health should be considered just as important as physical health because of how advanced physical healing is, how the public reacts to those with mental illness, and due to the consequences that could happen if the illness is not correctly helped.
In some cases the causes of mental illness primarily found inside the individual. Some of them have been associated with an abnormal balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. If they are out of balance the communication between nerve cell in the brain disrupted (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of psychiatrist, 2005). Hence, leading to symptoms of mental illness like depression, schizophrenia. On the other hand, genetics also plays a significant role to acquire mental disorder, which is passed...