Medical Model

• Mental illness has an organic cause
• What is the primary focus of the NHS website regarding illnesses?


  To provide extremely clear descriptions of illnesses
• What is an affective disorder?


  An affective disorder is characterized by changes in mood
• What is a common example of an affective disorder?

  Depression
• How do the symptoms of an affective disorder differ from normal feelings?


  They are different from how you normally feel
• What should individuals do if they or someone close to them is suffering from symptoms of mental illness?

  Consult their GP
• What is the medical model of mental illness?


  • It suggests that mental illness has an organic cause
  • It views mental disorders similarly to physical diseases
• What is the role of dendrites in the nervous system?


  Dendrites receive electrical impulses
• What is an action potential?


  An action potential is an electrical impulse in neurons
• What is the function of the axon in a neuron?


  The axon transmits impulses away from the cell body
• What is the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?


  Neurotransmitters transmit signals across synapses
• How do enzymes relate to neurotransmitters?


  Enzymes break down neurotransmitters for reabsorption
• What is the purpose of receptors in the nervous system?


  Receptors bind neurotransmitters to facilitate signal transmission
• What are the key components of a neuron?


  • Dendrites: receive signals
  • Axon: transmits impulses
  • Nucleus: contains genetic material
  • Receptors: bind neurotransmitters
• Neuotransmitter (moramine) - currently have 60 known - excitaray (start), inhibatory (stop)

  Dopamine - Mood (positive)

  Noradrenalin - Activity levels

  Seratonin - Regulates dopamine and noradrenalin
• Depression - Is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters at the synapse of the brain (too low)

  low energy = low noradrenalin low mood = low dopamine

  This is called the Monamine theory
• Antidepressants to balance the neurotransmitter:

  1 Tricyclics - Targets the 3 neurotransmitters to increase levels by blocking reuptake (reabsorption).

  2 SSRI's (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitor)

  3 Prozac

  4 SNRI's (selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor)