therapy

• Biological approach assumption

  All psychological behaviour is the result of physical, rather than psychological, processes
• Biological approach assumption

  Neurotransmitters play a role in underlying causes of 'normal' behaviour
• Neurotransmitters

  Chemical messengers passed from presynaptic neuron to postsynaptic neuron across the synapse
• Biological approach assumption

  Abnormal behaviour is a result of faulty neurotransmitters
• Aim of drug therapy

  Increase or decrease the number of neurotransmitters in the brain to help the individual live a more functional life
• SSRI antidepressants

  Increase serotonin levels by binding to presynaptic neuron to prevent serotonin reabsorption, improving communication between neurons and reducing depression symptoms
• Drug therapy process

  1. Individual seeks help from medical professional

  2. Medical professional diagnoses mental illness

  3. Medical professional prescribes appropriate drug

  4. Individual takes prescribed drug daily

  5. Individual returns for check-up in 4-6 weeks

  6. Behaviour monitored to decide on continuing, changing or stopping drug therapy
• Drug therapy effectiveness

  Can be effective in short term, but does not treat underlying causes and may only temporarily reduce symptoms
• Drug therapy ethics

  Can be unethical due to side effects and lack of informed consent, but benefits may outweigh risks for some mental illnesses
• the biological approach is nature rather than nurture
• the biological approach focuses on the brain and genetics
• the biological approach has been criticised because it ignores environmental factors such as upbringing and life experiences
• the biological approach suggests that people are born with certain traits which can lead to mental health problems
• neurotransmitters can be responsible for mental health problems
• low serotonin can cause depression
• abnormal levels of dopamine can cause schizophrenia