Main assumptions: – Psychological disorders are illnesses or diseases

Main assumptions: – Psychological disorders are illnesses or diseases affecting the nervous system – Abnormal behaviour, thinking and emotion are caused by biological dysfunctions – Understanding mental illness involves understanding what went wrong with the brain www.psychlotron.org.uk The Biomedical Model

Possible causes of abnormal behaviour: – Biochemistry – an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters or hormones might cause parts of the brain to malfunction – Structural damage or abnormality – if the structure of the brain is damaged or improperly formed then thinking, emotion and behaviour may change www.psychlotron.org.uk The Biomedical Model

Factors that may affect NS functioning: – Genetics – inherited developmental abnormality – Toxicity – chemical poisoning from e.g. drugs or environmental toxins – Infection/disease – causing chemical or structural damage to the brain – Stress – causing abnormal hormonal effects in the long term www.psychlotron.org.uk The Biomedical Model

www.psychlotron.org.uk Brain Abnormality (Structure)

www.psychlotron.org.uk Brain Abnormality (Structure)

www.psychlotron.org.uk Brain Abnormality (Functioning)