Mental Health- The Medical Model Flashcards
Biological Explanations
What does somatogenic mean?
Originating in the cells of the body: of organic, rather than of mental origin
Biological Explanations
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers in the body
e.g. dopamine
Biological Explanations
What are neurons?
Brain cells that send electrical signals
Biological Explanations
What is a synapse?
The gap between the neurones overwhich neurotransmitters must pass
Biochemical Explanations
What is the dopamine hypothesis?
The theory states that schizophrenia occurs due to an excess of dopamine in the brain (in the limbic system)
Biochemical Explanations
What does the new version of the dopamine hypothesis state?
There is an excess of dopamine (D2) receptors on the postsynaptic neurons
Biochemical Explanations
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Extra/ added symptoms in the mesolimbic system (not usually observed)
Biochemical Explanations
What are negative symptoms?
Missing behaviours and symptoms in the mesocortical system (not usually observed)
Brain Abnormality Explanation
What is the function of the prefrontal cortex?
Associated with behaviour control- damaged= less self-control, impaired emotional processing
Brain Abnormality Explanation
What is the function of the limbic system?
Responsible for processing emotion and stress responses- made up of various structures
Brain Abnormality Explanation
What is the function of amygdala?
Responsible for feelings of fear and also stores emotional memory
Brain Abnormality Explanation
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Navigational memory- processing memory as a whole
Brain Abnormality Explanation
What role does the amygdala have in depression?
Depression is caused by activity in this region- antidepressants reduced it
Brain Abnormality Explanation
What role does the hippocampus have in depression?
The area is significantly smaller in volume in those who suffer with depression- severe symptoms= smaller volume
Genetic Explanation
What does proband mean?
A person serving as the starting point for the genetic study of the family
Usually person with MH disorder
Genetic Explanation
What do the family studies involve when conducting genetic explanations?
- Comparing the proband to a family member
- Compare behaviours of each family member to see if DNA % increases the likelihood of similar behaviours
Genetic Explanation
What do the twin studies involve when investigating genetic explanations?
- Both twins presumed to share same environment
- if mental health is genetic then both twins should have condition
Genetic Explanation
What is the difference between monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins?
- Monozygotic- 100% shared DNA (same egg and sperm)
- Dizygotic- 50% shared DNA (2 eggs/ 2 sperm cells)
Genetic Explanation
What are the adoptive studies when investigating the genetic explanations?
- Compare proband to adoptive parents and bioological parents to see a difference
- if MH is genetic there should be no correlation
Genetic Explanation
What is the role of the family studies in regards to schizophrenia?
- No parents diagnosed= 1% general risk
- One parent diagnosed= 7%
Genetic Explanation
What is the role of the twin studies in regards to schizophrenia?
Both twins develop SZ depending on shared level of DNA
* MZ- 46%-53% if twin has SZ
* DZ- 15% if twin has SZ
Genetic Explanation
What is the role of the adoptive studies in regards to schizophrenia?
Finnish Adoptive Study by Tienari
* Lifetime risk is 9.4% if biological mother had SZ
* Lifetime risk is 1.2% if biological mother did not have SZ
Gottesman
What was the aim of the research, given he focused on genetics of offspring?
To investigate the likelihood of offspring being diagnosed with SZ, bipolar etc, if one or both parents have previously been diagnosed
Gottesman
What method was used, in terms of data too?
- Correlational anaylsis
- Using secondary data
Gottesman
Where did the sample (the secondary data) come from?
- The Danish Civil Registration- all chosen were born from 1968-1997
- The Danish Psychiatric Central Register- psychiatric admissions between 1970-2007
- Total= 3.4 million from Denmark
Gottesman
How was the study carried out (procedure)?
- Data on the offspring linked with parents’ psychiatric history
Gottesman
Which registration was used to establish who their parents were?
The Danish Civil Registration, then the Psychiatric registartion was checked to see if they were there
Gottesman
What did researchers identify once they were on psychiatric registration?
Any person with schizophrenia
Gottesman- Results
Which offspring was at a 27.3% chance of being diagnosed with schizophrenia?
If both parents had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia
Gottesman- results
What was the risk for offspring with one parent diagnosed with schizophrenia?
7%
Gottesman- results
What is the risk for offspring if neither parent has any diagnosis?
1%
Gottesman- results
What was the risk for offspring who had one parent diagnosed with SZ and one diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
15%
Gottesman- conclusions
What was concluded if both parents have mentsl illnesses?
Significantly greater risk of offspring developing mental illness
Gottesman- conclusions
Why do the risks support the genetic explanation for mental illness?
it supports that mental health can be genetically transferred/ inherited
Gottesman- conclusions
Why is it important to consider how the relationship is not 100%?
There is still environmental impact
Gottesman- conclusions
Why are the results useful?
- Offspring are more likely to investigate
- Parents can seek genetic councelling
Biological Treatment
Which biological explanation does elecroconvulsive therapy rely on?
Brain Abnormality
Biological Treatment
How does ECT work?
Research suggests that electric current changes the activity of neurotransmitters
e.g. dopamine and serotonin
Biological Treatment
What are the two types of ECT?
- Bilateral- two electrodes attached to both temples
- Unilateral- one elctrode attached to one temple (not as effective, used less in UK)
Biological Treatment
How is ECT administered?
- patient anaesthetised (prevent physical injury)
- small amounts (0.6v) of electric current passed through brain at 0.5 a second
- treatment for 3-4 weeks
Biological Treatment
Why is ECT useful?
- Found to reduce depression for those who can’t wait/ have serious symtpoms
Biological Treatment
What are the side effects of ECT?
- headache
- muscle ache
- dizziness
- distress
- memory loss
