Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Cook, Peter

Area of Concentration

Biological Psychology

Abstract

Antidepressants have been believed to work by targeting underlying biological abnormalities that lead to the development of depression; this explanation is known as the disease-centered model of treatment. The drug-centered model of treatment states that antidepressants work by inducing an altered physiological state in the patient. This altered state can often be therapeutic. The purpose of this study is to investigate how individuals with depression view the drug-centered model. Participants were given a survey to complete in order to assess their receptivity to the drug-centered model of treatment. Thirty-two percent of participants supported the drug-centered model, and 21% of participants showed partial support. These results demonstrate moderate openness to the drug-centered model, but still a sizable amount of apprehension within depressed populations about pursuing a drug-centered model of treatment. Participants skeptical of the drug-centered model felt that it may not be effective as a means to treat depression. However, the drug-centered model can be an effective means for treating depression by providing personalized treatment for each patient based on their own individual needs.

Download

Share

COinS