Biomedical And Recovery Model Essay

I valued the participants, with a mental illness, sharing their perspective and experiences of living with a mental health diagnosis. As social workers, it is beneficial to understand a clients experience and environment to the best of our ability. I will take away the stigmas faced by individuals with a mental illness and consider how this impacts their psycho, social, and emotional

In discussing the implications of a recovery model on service users/survivors and mental health services, it is essential to define recovery. In illustrating the controversial nature of this concept it is pragmatic to discuss service users and workers in mental health because implications of the recovery model affect both, but in different ways. It is important to realize there is a division in the focus of each group; service users generally want independence from services while health care providers focus on methods and models (Bonney & Stickley, 2008). In working together both groups can improve the provision of recovery services.

The definitions of mental health and mental illness can vary greatly and most are subjective, simplistic or are only partial definitions (Freshwater & Boyd, 2006). Freshwater and Boyd (2006) highlight the idea of mental health and illness being viewed as a “continuum”, where people are located at different points due to life events, developmental stages and genetic influence throughout their lives. As Hinshaw and Cicchetti (2000) state individuals with mental illness aren’t either “ill” or “well”, instead they experience episodes of remission and relapse over the course of their lives. From a medical view

The bio-medical model of ill health has been at the forefront of western medicine since the end of the eighteenth century and grew stronger with the progress in modern science. This model underpinned the medical training of doctors. Traditionally medicine had relied on folk remedies passed down from generations and ill health was surrounded in superstition and religious lore with sin and evil spirits as the culprit and root of ill health. The emergence of scientific thinking questioned the traditional religious view of the world and is linked to the progress in medical practice and the rise of the biomedical model. Social and historical events and circumstances were an important factor in its development as explanations about disease

Mental health is a complex phenomenon that consists of a range of diagnoses, treatments and outcomes. Recovery from such experiences has historically meant to completely remove all symptoms of illness, but is now currently thought of as regaining a sense of control over and development of a new meaning and purpose in one’s life, rather than feeling defined by the illness. Each individual understands it in their own personal way, likened to a journey towards self-determination, choice, and empowerment.

Mental health is defined as the state of satisfactory use of mental function, which results in productive activities, interactions, adjustment to change and coping with challenges (Healthy People 2020, 2012). It is fundamental to one's personal well-being, his interpersonal relationships, and fruitful participation in, and contribution to, society in general. Mental illness or mental disorder refers as a whole to all diagnosable disturbances of the mind. These disturbances are characterized by changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior, which produce pain, discomfort, abnormal functioning or death. Mental illnesses are serious medical conditions, which cannot be overcome by simple will power. They are not caused by personality weakness or intelligence (Healthy People 2020; NAMI, 2012).

In mental health the concept of recovery is a contrast to the medical context to which we are accustomed to. Individuals experiencing mental illnesses have expressed recovery to be “elusive, not perfectly linear… erratic, we flatter, slide back and regroup…establish a sense of integrity and purpose” (Roads to recovery, n.d.), which reflects

Furthermore, tremendous advances have been made in the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses in the recent decades. Nowadays, someone with a mental illness is treated with respect, just like every other person, because, in fact, everyone is equal. Society’s goals today are to treat and support the mentally ill individuals enough so they can live in

Regarding the treatment of mental illness, there are two effective forms that have caused considerable debates in the field of psychology: the medical and the recovery models. While there are significant differences between these two models, they are both effective when used concurrently. The efficacy of the medical model alone is diminishing as it focuses too narrowly on treatment goals, and may ignore the needs of the client. On the other hand, the recovery model focuses on the client and allows them to take control of their treatment and rehabilitation, which helps promote positive change. Recovery is often seen as a lifelong journey that requires the client to be wholly involved in the recovery process. This is why the recovery model values

Within this unit I will be showing my past and learnt knowledge of the main forms of mental health problems according to the psychiatric classification system. I will be looking at the strengths, Limitations and alternative frameworks for understanding mental health. I will also demonstrate ways in which mental health problems can and do impact the individual and there social network.

Although about 450 million people in the world currently are suffering from a mental illness, many untreated, the topic still remains taboo in modern society (Mental Health). For years, people with mental illnesses have been shut away or institutionalized, and despite cultural progression in many areas, mental illnesses are still shamed and rarely brought to light outside of the psychiatric community. The many different forms in which mental illness can occur are incredibly prevalent in the world today, and there is a substantial debate about the way that they should be handled. Some people are of the opinion that mental illness is merely a variance in perception and that it either can be fixed through therapy or should not be treated at

Contemporary mental health care is a changing and developing field. Traditional practices of understanding and caring for those with mental illness are being challenged (Trenoweth, 2017). Personal recovery is not a new concept. Although it is significantly different to the biomedical model, it has been well written about in literature, putting a significant influence on policies and the delivery of care within today’s practices. When people with a lived experience of mental illness started to challenge the biomedical model of care, recovery orientated health care began to grow (Barkway, 2013). Before further exploring both personal recovery and the biomedical approach, we will look at what recovery is. Slade (2009) outlines a two part definition

The labelling and stigma attached to mental illness has held and retained my interest over the course of the semester, as it has equipped me with future skills to be able to apply to my future practice as a social worker as well as to my own personal life. Having had a close family member of

The ‘medical model’ (Beecher, 2009), also called the ‘biomedical model’ (Germov, 2009), basis its beliefs on the theory that there is not a connection between the mind and the body (Sarafino & Smith, 2014) and illness is caused by ‘biological’ (Germov, 2009) factors that can be diagnosed and treated with medications (Germov, 2009). The biomedical model becomes problematic when applied to the treatment of mental health illness due to the cause being widely unknown and so how can mental illness be successfully treated using this model? Social factors that may have a contributory effect or allowance for preventative measures to be implemented are also not taken into consideration with the ‘medical model’ (Germov,

There are different models that describe disorders and diseases. I decided to look at both cases from a recovery and a medical model. The medical model, also known as the disease model, focuses on the underlying disorder in the individual. There is no mention of the environment forces that could affect the individuals distress or any other environment forces that need to change in order for the individual to feel better (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). If you only focus on the disorder and not the outside factors that are affecting an individual’s life, then you will never help them cope with their disorder. In regard to recovery/resiliency framework, there are many different systems that could help an individual live with their disorder.