In the current issue of Clinical Psychology Review (April 8, 2013), you will find a very interesting article by Brett Jason Deacon, PhD, who is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Wyoming. The article is called The Biomedical Model of Mental Disorder: A Critical Analysis of its Tenets, Consequences, and Effects on Psychotherapy Research. You can see it here.
The article is a critique of the biomedical model from a theoretical and a practical perspective. The author has managed to elucidate a comprehensive range of criticisms of the biomedical model, and has blended them together into a coherent and compelling account.
Dr. Deacon also discusses psychosocial alternatives to the bio-psychiatric approach.
Here are some quotes:
“Evidence-based psychosocial theories and treatments have faded into the background as biological theories of mental disorder and newer-generation psychotropic medications have risen to preeminent status.”
“The biomedical model’s eliminative reductionist philosophy that biology is inherently fundamental to psychology rests on shaky scientific ground.”
“Given the historical lack of scientific evidence for the chemical imbalance theory of mental disorder, why have biomedical advocates promoted this story?”
“If psychotropic medications are safe and effective, why has the rate of mental health disability risen in close temporal association with their increasing use?”
It’s one of those articles that you will probably want to keep close and refer to often.