The Disease Model – Savvy Essay Writers | savvyessaywriters.net
The Disease Model – Savvy Essay Writers | savvyessaywriters.net
Original Discussion Board:
Since man first began attempting to figure out why some individuals seemed “normal” and some
did not, the focus has consistently been on what is “wrong” with these people and how can we
make them “right” and if we can’t make them “right” what should we do with them?
This perspective is known as The Disease Model in which we classify clusters of behavior and/or
thoughts into categories that we can then label. In fact, the very DSM version that we will study
in this course (5) is still largely based on this Disease Model. For this discussion board, I want
you to go to Ted Talks and look up Martin Seligman and Positive Psychology and watch this 20
minute video and then discuss amongst your group how this idea relates to our current
understanding of diagnostics. Are we on the right track? Is there a better way? Do we need to
focus more on not just helping individuals to “not be depressed” anymore, but also help them to
flourish?
TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_the_new_era_of_positive_psychology
TED Talk transcript:
Respond to Classmate 1:
Dr. Seligman’s Ted Talk was very enlightening. I would say it was a bit of an “Ah-Ha!” moment
for me. When I began to think about pursuing counseling as a career, I encountered several
people that were discouraged because the people that they worked with never seemed to get
better. Dr. Seligman was proud that progress meant that we could “make miserable people less
miserable”. That’s a long way from cured!
It’s obvious that there will always be a need for the “Disease Model”. Just as there’s a need for a
hospital to treat people physically, there’s going to be a need to diagnose people mentally. That
said, I think the science of positive psychology is a wonderful approach, just as the science of
living healthy physically. I think that’s a fair comparison. That said, I think the results of the
testing were pretty predictable (easy to say in hindsight, I realize). The results of lasting
happiness being linked more strongly to the “meaningful life” is actually a Biblical concept. We
would call it altruistic, but scripture would call it loving others more than yourself which is
second only to loving God. I realize that not everyone subscribes to the truths of the Bible,
nevertheless, they align. These concepts referenced by Dr. Seligman are not new. Aristotle spoke
against a hedonistic lifestyle and in support of a more eudaemonic lifestyle that was more
virtuous (Boniwell, 2008). However, they have been given more credibility thanks to the
rigorous study.
The biggest takeaway is that we are learning more and more about the components of a happy
life as well as learning more and more how to better diagnose and treat (even cure) mental
illness. The two combined absolutely put us on the right track towards helping individuals not
only feel “less miserable” but to also flourish.
Reference:
Boniwell, I. (2008). What is Eudaimonia? The Concept of Eudaimonic Well-Being and
Happiness. Positive Psychology. Retrieved from: http://positivepsychology.org.uk/the-concept-
of-eudaimonic-well-being/
Respond to Classmate 2:
For this discussion board, I want you to go to TED Talks and look up Martin Seligman and
Positive Psychology and watch this 20 minute video and then discuss amongst your group how
this idea relates to our current understanding of diagnostics. Are we on the right track? Is there
a better way? Do we need to focus more on not just helping individuals to “not be depressed”
anymore, but also help them to flourish?
In the Ted Talk The New Era of Positive Psychology Martin Seligman reveals how the field of
psychology was not good enough (2004). Seligman implies that for decades effective treatment
of psychological disorders was nearly nonexistent and finally in the new millennium fourteen
psychological disorders were deemed treatable with two curable in accordance with the disease
model of mental illness. The disease model of mental illness posits that psychological disorders
stem from within…biologically. But what about external factors? This is where, I believe, the
biopsychosocial model of mental health comes into play. Positive psychology embraces
therapeutic integration and eclecticism. There are hints of humanistic psychology, existentialism,
Gestalt psychology, cognitive-behavioral implications etc. Positive psychology lends itself to
efficacy and effectiveness by encouraging the client to self-activate self-acceptance and other
holistic factors rendering personal life fulfillment (Seligman, 2004).
Kindness, wisdom, resilience, humor, optimism, hope, purpose, vigor, passion…these concepts
are invigorated by human nature and are keystones to positive psychology. More than just
positive thinking, positive psychology begs the question, what makes life worth living (UM
News Service, 2020 featuring Professor Christopher Peterson)? Additionally positive psychology
is the scientific study of how people can live meaningful and fulfilling lives by cultivating
purpose, strength, love, work, and amusement so as to thrive in community (Positive Psychology
Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 2020). Seligman is the founding father of positive
psychology and in the formative years this approach resembled the humanistic movement.
Contrary to initial beliefs, positive psychology is enduring the litmus test of time. Overturning
doom and gloom and the prognosis of diagnosis, positive psychology equips the clinician and the
client with more than coping strategies and surviving. Positive psychology accentuates the
What is Eudaimonia? The Concept of Eudaimonic Well-Being and Happiness
What is Eudaimonia? The Concept of Eudaimonic Well-Being and Happiness
positive introducing the prescription of hope, perseverance, optimism, relationship, and
empowered thriving as therapeutic goals of the treatment plan.
In our last class discussion consideration was given to the importance of diagnosis. Assessment,
classification, causation, and intervention are essential. These components are shared with the
science of positive psychology with additional variables factored into the equation. I agree with
Seligman in that focus in treatment can be redirected to encourage assemblage of the good life
and the meaningful life both superseding yet intertwined with the pleasant life. Stimulating
positive emotion through work, play, love, grit, purpose, relationships, helping, self-control,
sharing… is not ignoring the problem but cultivates resilience, quality of life, fulfillment, self-
acceptance, and empowerment. Hence, positive psychology could prove to be the more excellent
way in helping patients flourish instead of flounder.
References
Positive Psychology Center. (n.d.). Ppc.Sas.Upenn.Edu. https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu
Seligman, M. (Director). (2004, February). The new era of positive psychology [Video file].
Retrieved June 13, 2020, from https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_ the_new_era_of_
positive_psychology
UM News Service. (2020). What makes life worth living? (Part 1) [YouTube Video]. In
YouTube.
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