Abnormal psychology question ? What are some "pros" and "cons" of the mental disorder as "disease" model?

Question

Thesis Question: What are some "pros" and "cons" of the mental disorder as "disease" model? (Ultimately, I want to you choose a position relating to the topic, and defend that postion.)

I don't really understand what this question is asking ? If anyone could help me, I'd greatly appreciate it, Thanks!

Answer 1

Some great answers have already been posted. :)

Another way to look at the question is that a "disease" model often implies that there is something wrong with the patient. Other models, instead, emphasize characteristics of the environment that contribute to the disorder, rather than internal characteristics of the patient. What are the implications of this?

Or, compare and contrast the term "mental disorder" with "mental health". One is a more preventive approach, while the other is more reactive.

Answer 2

They want you to choose whether a mental condition is a "disease" or a "disorder" and to defend your choice by putting forward your points in it's favour.

If it is any help my view is that disease has a pathology it can be traced to a bacteria or virus for example. A disorder per se has no such pathology and therefore cannot be classed as a disease.

Hope this helps a little, good luck x.

Answer 3

I think its basically asking is it right or wrong to catagorise people with mental "illness" as  "illness", or should we be looking at it from another perspective.

There are numerous stances you could take. Eg maybe it is "normal" to have these characteristics that we term as illness. Alternatively your position could be that the disorder IS a disease and would be better controlled by culling the affected populous to prevent the disease spreading. The question leaves the position you take up to you. Your job is to convince that your stance is the correct one.

One con is that we could be failing to understand the situation entirely and therefore missing a solution by not looking at the problem in from the right angle. Try reading  "Beyond the disease model of mental disorders" By Donald J. Kiesler. It will give you an idea of another perspective.