Problem:
Please respond to this discussion. Using the most recent articles, include intext citations and a reference page.
Psychopathology can be defined as the result of a variety of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that influence the predisposition to various disorders. It is clear today that any of the mentioned factors does not cause psychopathology alone but works with others. The approach called biopsychosocial model is considered the basic approach in contemporary psychiatry, which allows understanding and treating psychological disorders, is used by PMHNPs.
The key role is played by biological factors related to genetics and neuroscience. According to Boland et al. (2022), genetic risk factors cause mental disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Even though the mentioned factors increase one's risk of having mental issues, it does not mean that the latter will take place; thus, the environmental factors still play an important role. Another critical element associated with the mentioned factors is the dysfunction of neurochemical pathways and neuronal circuits, which is the cause of development of certain disorders. Imbalance of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a sign of numerous diseases (Juruena et al., 2020). Continuous stimulation of stress responses via HPA axis also leads to the occurrence of psychopathology.
The importance of psychological factors cannot be ignored as they contribute to mental health problems through cognitive, emotional, and developmental processes. For instance, the presence of maladaptive or distorted thinking and distorted beliefs can serve as reasons for development of emotions and psychopathology (Boland et al., 2022). One's participation in negative automatic thoughts and maladaptive beliefs regarding stressful situations may be seen as a reason to develop anxiety and depression. An important point is also connected with the role of emotional development on the onset of psychopathology. Adverse early experiences, childhood traumatic events, neglect, and dysfunctional families may have a negative effect on one's ability to control emotions and develop mental issues. As stated by McLaughlin et al. (2023), adverse events have an impact on one's future wellbeing through influencing development and psychological states.
There are many more influences related to sociocultural and interpersonal factors. Some of the factors include socioeconomic status, educational level, employment, access to healthcare, housing, and involvement in the community (WHO, 2022). Besides, sociocultural attitudes are very significant for the treatment of mental disorders. Lastly, there are important aspects to discuss, which relate to interpersonal relationships that influence patient assessment and intervention. Family conflict, social isolation, violence, and lack of supportive systems make one prone to mental illnesses; positive relationships produce opposite results.
All the discussed elements are crucial for PMHNPs in order to understand the way they evaluate their patients. With the help of the biopsychosocial model, it is possible to realize the complexity of the issue and avoid working with only biological factors. Thus, the process of evaluation of one's health condition includes taking the history of the patient's family and development, culture, psychological aspects, etc. This will allow creating a treatment plan that will contain multiple approaches including medications, psychotherapy, education, and social services.
To sum up, psychopathology is the result of a number of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Need Assignment Help?