Biological Approaches target the "hardware," the body's mechanisms that control the central nervous system, endocrine system, and metabolism. Biological approaches assume that many psychological disorders stem from underlying biological causes, such as structural abnormalities in the brain, biochemical processes, and genetics.
Biological Treatments attempt to alter brain functioning with chemical or physical interventions, including drugs that act directly on the brain and body, surgery, and electroconvulsive therapy. Conducted by psychiatrists, physicians, and surgeons, biological treatments, also known as biomedical therapies, include the following practices.
Psychopharmacology: |
• | Therapy that incorporates drugs and chemicals; includes three major types of drugs: anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, and anti-anxiety
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Biomedical Psychosurgery: |
• | Surgical procedures on brain tissue to alleviate psychological disorders |
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): |
• | A brief electrical current applied to a patient's temples to alter the brain's chemical and electrical activity
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Explore the psychological approaches.
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