Assignment inadequacies of various historical perspectives on psychopathology question

Assignment inadequacies of various historical perspectives on psychopathology question

Assignment inadequacies of various historical perspectives on psychopathology question

Biological factors have a substantial influence on the development of psychopathologies. They entail physical and organic causes of psychiatric illnesses such as genetics, neurochemistry, and infections among others. The role of genetics is evidenced by the heritability and familial aggregation of certain psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders (Smoller et al., 2018). Genomic studies have revealed genetic defects and dysfunctions attributed to interactions between genes and the environment that play a role in the causation and promotion of psychiatric disorders. Neurotransmitter and receptor dysfunction has also been implicated in psychiatric illnesses for example monoamine neurotransmitter depletion in the pathogenesis of depressive illness (Shao et al., 2020). This has guided the development of many psychopharmacologic agents used in the treatment of psychopathologies.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors also play a pivotal role in the development of psychopathology. Psychological stressors such as exposure to intense trauma, early life stress from separation, loss of a loved one, abuse, neglect, and any other form of maltreatment may predispose to and precipitate mental illness (Kalin, 2020). Such stressors may also lead to maladaptive behaviors such as addiction or anxiety disorders especially when affected individuals try to avoid stimuli that remind them of their past adversities. Identification of such past distress forms the basis for behavioral and cognitive psychotherapies which help individuals process and positively cope with their stressors.

Socio-Cultural and Inter-personal Factors

Social, cultural, and interpersonal factors may have adverse effects on mental illness. Unemployment, poverty, divorce, family and social dysfunction, implicit and explicit discrimination, and lack of support may lead to psychological distress and resultantly mental illness (Moleiro, 2018). Individual differences in attitudes and beliefs,  personality, motivation, and general view of life may predispose susceptible individuals to psychopathology. These factors should thus be considered when managing a psychiatric patient for effective treatment.

Conclusion

            Psychiatric disorders result from a complex interplay of various etiological factors. These can be classified into biological, psychological,socio-cultural, and interpretation factors and they form the basis of the etiopathology of mental illnesses. A multidimensional understanding of these factors pave way for a holistic and appropriate management approach for psychiatric disorders.

References

Kalin, N. (2020). Early-Life Environmental Factors Impacting the Development of Psychopathology. American Journal Of Psychiatry, 177(1), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19111181

Moleiro, C. (2018). Culture and Psychopathology: New Perspectives on Research, Practice, and Clinical Training in a Globalized World. Frontiers In Psychiatry, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00366

Shao, X., & Zhu, G. (2020). Associations Among Monoamine Neurotransmitter Pathways, Personality Traits, and Major Depressive Disorder. Frontiers In Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00381

Smoller, J., Andreassen, O., Edenberg, H., Faraone, S., Glatt, S., & Kendler, K. (2018). Psychiatric genetics and the structure of psychopathology. Molecular Psychiatry, 24(3), 409-420. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-017-0010-4