Respond to the discussion questions below. Submit your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. . There are numerous theories that attempt to explain the development and manifestation of psychological disorders. Some researchers hold that certain disorders result from learned behaviors (behavioral theory), while other researchers believe that there is a genetic or biological basis to psychological disorders (medical model), while still others hold that psychological disorders stem from unresolved unconscious conflict (psychoanalytic theory). How would each of these theoretical viewpoints explain anxiety disorders? Does one explain the development and manifestation of anxiety disorders better than the others? As you prepare for your final discussion, some questions to consider include:  (1) What  is the difference between "anxiety," "stress," and a "stressor"?  and (2) In what ways is stress related to our overall physical and mental health, or is it? Traditionally, physician's have been trained to focus specifically on the body from a biological perspective and for centuries have treated patients according but how much of a physical illness is actually due to psychological or social stressors?  This is the question that George Engle, a psychiatrist and a medical school professor, developed as he trained medical students and worked with cardiologist, John Romano.  In 1977, Engel introduced the biopsychosocial (BPS) model of treatment, which basically drifted away from the disease model to include other factors as possible contributors to medical disorders.  This model takes a holistic perspective in terms of treatment as it accounts for environmental, as well as psychological contributions to one's overall physical health.   Let's say, for example, that Susie has a horrible migraine headache that will not go away.  Where does she go?  To her physician, right (general practitioner)?  Of course the physician is going to do what he/she has been trained to do, which is to focus on the body.  First, they start by taking blood tests and vital signs and then they may talk to Susie to find out a little about how long she's had the headache and how she would rate her level of pain, etc.  After that, they may schedule Susie for an MRI, or fMRI, as well as other tests to rule out the possibility of any biological origin of the headache.  If those tests come back negative and the physician ascribes to the BPS model, he or she may prescribe a medication but may also ask Susie about any recent changes in her life.  At this point, although Susie had initially not wanted to burden her physician with her problems, she began to tell her physician that a month ago, she lost her job after 20 years, her car was repossessed, her favorite dog died last week, she had been unable to find work, although she had desperately tried, and the phone won't stop ringing as creditors continue to call seeking payment.   In this example, Susie obviously has a lot going o.

1. Respond to the discussion questions below. Submit your
response to the appropriate Discussion Area. .
There are numerous theories that attempt to explain the
development and manifestation of psychological disorders.
Some researchers hold that certain disorders result from learned
behaviors (behavioral theory), while other researchers believe
that there is a genetic or biological basis to psychological
disorders (medical model), while still others hold that
psychological disorders stem from unresolved unconscious
conflict (psychoanalytic theory). How would each of these
theoretical viewpoints explain anxiety disorders? Does one
explain the development and manifestation of anxiety disorders
better than the others?
As you prepare for your final discussion, some questions to
consider include: (1) What is the difference between "anxiety,"
"stress," and a "stressor"? and (2) In what ways is stress related
to our overall physical and mental health, or is it?
Traditionally, physician's have been trained to focus
specifically on the body from a biological perspective and for
centuries have treated patients according but how much of a
physical illness is actually due to psychological or social
stressors? This is the question that George Engle,
a psychiatrist and a medical school professor, developed as he
trained medical students and worked with cardiologist, John
Romano. In 1977, Engel introduced the biopsychosocial
(BPS) model of treatment, which basically drifted away from
the disease model to include other factors as possible
contributors to medical disorders. This model takes a holistic
perspective in terms of treatment as it accounts for

2. environmental, as well as psychological contributions to one's
overall physical health.
Let's say, for example, that Susie has a horrible migraine
headache that will not go away. Where does she go? To her
physician, right (general practitioner)? Of course the physician
is going to do what he/she has been trained to do, which is to
focus on the body. First, they start by taking blood tests and
vital signs and then they may talk to Susie to find out a little
about how long she's had the headache and how she would rate
her level of pain, etc. After that, they may schedule Susie for
an MRI, or fMRI, as well as other tests to rule out the
possibility of any biological origin of the headache. If those
tests come back negative and the physician ascribes to the BPS
model, he or she may prescribe a medication but may also ask
Susie about any recent changes in her life. At this point,
although Susie had initially not wanted to burden her physician
with her problems, she began to tell her physician that a month
ago, she lost her job after 20 years, her car was repossessed, her
favorite dog died last week, she had been unable to find work,
although she had desperately tried, and the phone won't stop
ringing as creditors continue to call seeking payment.
In this example, Susie obviously has a lot going on right now in
terms of stress and it clear that she has a migraine. Both what
role do her stressors play in the development of her migraine
and why can't she "get rid" of it? Her physician may give her a
prescription (i.e., Imatrex, etc.) but suggests that she see a
therapist to help her better manage her stress. Susie takes her
physician's advice and after meeting with her therapist and
taking her medication, Susie notices that not only is her
headache gone, but she is much less stressed, is more
calm overall, and can think more rationally. As a result, Susie
has learned to use some deep breathing techniques, which has
helped her to calm down. In therapy, as she discusses her
problems, her therapists helps her to grieve her losses and then

3. to develop some short and long-term goals and then to develop
an action plan. Susie realizes that she is feeling much better.
Her self-esteem has improved and she is feeling more confident
overall and before she knows it, she has a job offer. Was this
change in Susie due to the medication?.....to therapy?......to
both? Is the BPS model an effective method of treatment for
patients with medical issues?
Below are a couple of links that may interest you regarding
these issues.
http://www.annfammed.org/content/2/6/576.full
http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/medical_education/undergrad
uate/spm/SPM_100/documents/BiopsychosocialModel.pdf