The Disease Model versus Positive Psychology

When using traditional psychology

The physician will most likely focus on the patient’s problems or symptoms in order to develop an intervention that focuses on improving those specific symptoms. According to Martin Seligman, the disease model dominates psychology and stresses the importance of treating a condition rather than developing strengths (Films Media Group, 2008). In the William case scenario, the essential information is his apparent signs of depression that include health issues (high blood pressure and weight gain) reduced engagement in social and pleasurable activities, decreased motivation, feeling pointless or hopelessness, and disrupted sleep. It can be suggested that recent divorce that the patient experienced might be the cause of development of these attitudes.

The doctor responsible will possibly diagnose the patient

With major depressive disorder and probably anxiety disorder. Consequently, the clinician would recommend an intervention approach that consists of medication and therapy. The reason for medication is to balance the hormones using the drugs prescribed. Baumgartner & Crothers (2009), argues that psychologist has insufficient knowledge about mental health compared to mental illness. In this case, the most crucial information would be finding the details about the divorce and the separation between him and his daughters. As a result, the physician will have focused on mental sickness and treated the behaviors that lead to depressive condition rather than finding out Williams’s strengths and make him a healthier person from all perspectives.

Discuss William’s situation from the perspective of positive psychology

What information would be most important? What conclusions and recommendations might be made by a psychologist working from the positive psychology model?

According to the case scenario, it is clear that William is in a state of unhappiness at this moment. Analysis of his mentality shows that the reason why he is not happy is that he is focusing more on negatives rather than strengths and positive things around him. Martin Seligman requested the American Psychology Association to change the focus from emphasizing treating the worst in human attitude to promoting positive behaviors (Films Media Group, 2008). Model of positive psychology focuses on developing strengths in behaviors of a person rather than treating the negative ones like in the case of disease model. While using the Positive Psychology approach, an essential information to the doctor treating William would be divorce. Seligman describes that Positive Psychology approach focuses attention on the positive situations or occurrences in the patient’s life.

Upon evaluating William work ethic

It can be said that he is both dedicated and hardworking since he always spends most of his time working on a computer or telephone. In addition, he continues to focus on his work and does not allow the divorce to consume him and affect his effectiveness in service delivery. All these attributes are positive aspects from which psychologists can work on since positive psychology assumes that one’s outlook of situations can bring transformation. In fact, according to Seligman’s point of view, individuals have the capacity to control their happiness voluntarily (Films Media Group, 2008). Some approaches that can be used to assist William to get well include improving his time management skills through training, advising him to delegate some of the workload to his team of employees to avoid being overwhelmed, and convincing him to set aside time to do woodworking as his hobby.

References

Baumgardner, S. R., & Crothers, M. K. (2009 by Pearson Education, Inc). Positive Psychology. Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook.

Films Media Group (2008). TEDTalks: Martin Seligman—What Positive Psychology Can Help You Become (24:00) From Title: TEDTalks: Martin Seligman—What Positive Psychology Can Help You Become.