The medical model for labeling and treating mental health disorders involves identifying symptoms and   matching  those symptoms to  a list that has been denoted in the DMV-IV, the psychiatric book of disorders used by most in the mental health profession. A label is then determined for the disorder, and psychiatric medication is  generally prescribed. Very simply, the medical model in its purest form, which is the most common model used in the current mental health system, runs under the assumptions that mental health disorders are chemical imbalances that can be corrected with what is considered to be appropriate drugs.     

Is this simple way of viewing mental health disorders accurate? Quite simply, no. The simple medical model is an inaccurate way of viewing mental health disorders. Most who pursue treatment based on the the use of the “medical model” find themselves disappointed. There are no substitutes for working hard at one’s mental health, with one’s relationships and family. There is no pill that can solve life’s many interwoven problems or heal emotional  wounds.

Psychiatric medicines for mental health disorders, including those prescribed for Attention Deficit, depression, and bipolar disorder, as well as other mental health disorders, address the symptoms but do not address the underlying problems causing the mental health problem.

It might be compared to taking an aspirin for pain. An aspirin can help one to feel a little less pain if there is a headache, but it doesn’t  address whatever might be the source of the pain, and after the aspirin’s positive effects are over, one has to again  take another aspirin to get the same pain relief. Drugs for psychological disorders are much the same. Most who have written on this subject, the subject of psychiatric treatment, the subject of mental health, including those who support the general use of prescribing medication for the treatment of mental health disorder, generally agree that prescribed drugs which are used based on the “medical model” address symptoms, but do not address the disorder itself. It might be likened to a “bio-pharmaceutical band-aid”.

It should be noted that there are other models of mental health which are much more in depth and complete in  addressing the many interwoven factors involved in mental health. One of the most complete models of mental health is the bioecological model which was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner, who is the one of the founders of the Head Start preschool program in the U.S. and a well respected scholar on the subject of mental health, (recently deceased). Dr. Dr. Bronfenbrenner developed the idea that social factors on many levels contribute to mental health disorders and difficulties. While genetics may predispose a person towards mental health difficulties, they do not generally cause mental health disorders. Instead, it appears more likely to be a combination of  genetics, with environmental and other factors that contribute. There is a multi-tiered approach to psychology which more accurately takes all of the many factors into consideration than does the “chemical imbalance” theory, referred to as the medical model.

Another refreshing approach in mental health models, is Positive Psychology, which was developed by by Martin Seligam who developed has  ideas at Penn State University, U.S.. Instead of building its foundation on the the idea of identifying and labeling a disorder, along with what might be considered appropriate pharmaceutical treatment, rather, it starts on a positive foundation, with the goal of building on one’s positives and shooting for goals. Positive psychology is a model of mental health that might be considered mainstream and generally accepted, and the application of which can circumvent the overtreatment through psychiatric drugs that many have experienced.

This article was written by John Samuels from the Association for Natural Psychology. Please also visit our bookstore. Natural psychology, self help for treatment of mental health disorders, natural cures of mental health disorders,  depression treatment without drugs, positive parenting, raising and teaching special needs children, and a variety of related subjects are considered. You can also see our new book,
Overcoming ADHD without Medication: A Parent’s and Educator’s Guidebook on Amazon, Alibris and other online locations. The Association for Natural Psychology is a New Jersey non-profit corporation.