Lecture 3 - theories

Question 1

Diagnostic Literalism

Answer 1

Diagnostic literalism is the oversimplified belief that mental health diagnoses and mental health problems are the synonymous. This view assumes that diagnoses fully represent the nature of mental health disorders, which leads to treatment of the diagnosis, rather than the actual problems of the individual. It creates a very rigid idea about what set of symptoms represent certain disorders, but the same disorder can look very different from individual to individual.

Diagnosing someone with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) based solely on DSM criteria without considering the complexity and variability of symptoms in different individuals.

Question 2

Reductionism

Answer 2

Reductionism is the idea that mental disorders can be fully understood by breaking them down into their biological components, such as genes and neural circuits. This approach often overlooks the complexity of psychological and environmental factors.

Referring to depression as simply a result of a “serotonin deficiency” without considering psychological and social contributors like trauma or stress.

Question 3

Network Theory of Mental Disorders

Answer 3

Network theory proposes that mental disorders arise from interconnected symptoms that influence each other, rather than from a single underlying cause. Each symptom can have its own causal impact on other symptoms, creating a complex system.

In depression, insomnia might lead to fatigue, which in turn worsens concentration problems, eventually leading to feelings of worthlessness.

Question 4

Common Cause Theory

Answer 4

This theory posits that symptoms of a mental disorder are interchangeable and stem from a single underlying cause, such as a biochemical imbalance or a latent variable. The treatment should target the underlying cause, not the individual symptoms.

Treating all symptoms of depression (such as fatigue, sadness, and insomnia) by addressing a single cause, like serotonin deficiency, instead of targeting each symptom individually.

Question 5

Biological Psychiatry

Answer 5

Biological psychiatry is an approach that focuses on understanding mental disorders through biological factors like genetics and brain function. This field aims to treat mental health issues by “tuning” neural circuits or finding biomarkers, but has faced criticism for explaining little about mental disorders.

Efforts by the NIMH to identify biomarkers for depression through genetic studies and brain imaging have yet to significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Question 6

criticism of reductionism

Answer 6

1. oversimpification
2. multiple realizability
3. failure to explain complex disorders

Question 7

Examples of criticism of reductionism

Answer 7

Serotonin Deficiency in Depression: While many antidepressants target serotonin levels, not all individuals with depression respond to these treatments, suggesting that other psychological and environmental factors are at play.

Biomarkers in Schizophrenia: Decades of research aimed at identifying genetic or neural markers for schizophrenia have not significantly improved outcomes for patients, highlighting the limitations of a purely biological approach.

Question 8

Why does diagnostic literalism limit our understanding of mental health disorders

Answer 8

It limits our understanding, because it encourages a one size fits all approach in treatment, ignoring personal, social and environmental factors that contribute to mental health problems.