Drug therapy A01 - Linking to assumptions

Question 1

What is meant by the Medical Model of Illness?

Answer 1

All psychological disorders have a biological cause

Question 2

How does this relate to drug therapies?

Answer 2

Mental illnesses are like physical illnesses as they have a biological cause, and so can be treated in a physical way

Question 3

How do neurotransmitters relate to drug therapies?

Answer 3

• High levels of serotonin have been linked to depression
• High levels of dopamine have been linked to Sz
• Therefore, drugs can be used to increase or block the action of neurotransmitters, altering mood, thoughts, and actions

Question 4

How does localisation of brain function relate to drug therapies?

Answer 4

• Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions
• Drugs can be used to target specific regions of the brain to treat mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, or Sz