03. Beyond the Biomedical Model: 5 Myths about Mental Health Diagnoses & Treatment

The biomedical model of mental health, which posits mental health issues are purely biological and only treatable with medication, has dominated the field for the last 40 + years without much evidence to justify it. Many concerned psychiatrists and psychologists argue that this model is outdated and ignores the complex interplay of social, cultural, institutional, and other factors that contribute to mental health issues. Recent research shows that the roots of mental health concerns are much more complex. Despite this, many myths about mental health concerns persist, even in the face of mounting evidence against them. It's time to put aside what we thought we knew about the DSM, diagnoses, psychotropic medication, and the chemical imbalance theory and take a more holistic approach to mental health. This includes prioritizing community mental health over just individual treatment and medication. In this episode you’ll learn: What the biomedical model of mental health is and why it dominates our field today Why this model is outdated and what emerging research is showing about the roots of mental health concerns The top myths that persist about mental health concerns despite evidence and research against it Why it’s time to put aside what we thought we knew about the DSM, diagnoses, psychotropic medication, and the chemical imbalance theory Why the United Nations, the old president of the National Institute of Mental Health and top researchers all agree that community mental health is most important Links:  Institute for The Development of Human Arts - https://www.idha-nyc.org Get bonus episodes on substack! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://depthwork.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Research:  Biomedical model and stigma: https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/ijfab.4.1.140 & https://journals.lww.com/jonmd/Abstract/2009/02000/A_Comparison_of_Contextual_and_Biomedical_Models.5.aspx Montcrief et al umbrella review of chemical imbalance theory depression and serotonin: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0?s=09 Healing by Thomas Insel: https://www.thomasinselmd.com/healing Biomarkers in Psychiatry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2820448/ Antidepressant effect rates: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e024886 & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7418603/ UN Human Rights Counsel on rights of persons with disabilities / guidelines https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/G17/164/63/PDF/G1716463.pdf?OpenElement Client/therapy relationship: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-3204.38.4.357 Power Threat Meaning Framework Research Domain Criteria (RDoc) Psychiatric Diagnoses found scientifically meaningless: https://neurosciencenews.com/meaningless-psychiatric-diagnosis-14434/ DSM statistically unreliable and invalid: https://www.madinamerica.com/2014/09/how-reliable-is-the-dsm-5/ Thrive NYC https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2019/02/27/with-opaque-budget-and-elusive-metrics-850m-thrivenyc-program-attempts-a-reset-873945 Marginalization, structrural issues & mental health: https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06152.x & https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/spc3.12168 Disclaimer: The DEPTH Work Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Information on this podcast in no way to be construed or substituted as psychological counseling, psychotherapy, mental health counseling, or any other type of therapy or medical advice.

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