Biopsychosocial explanations for disease and health

Research into explanations for illness and disease and research of successful interventions are increasingly acknowledging the need to address the illness through a biopsychosocial lens.

The biological component is the focus on the physiology and physical features of the individual.  The biological includes family history, current illnesses, past illnesses, exercise and activity levels, nutrition, hormones, age, sleep hygiene, cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels and other biometric assessments as warranted.  Typically, the biological component of the biopsychosocial model is what most of us experience when we visit our physician due to illness.  However, research has demonstrated over and over again that the medical (biological) model, as a sole answer to our health issues and diseases, is not enough.  For example, we know now that stressors – stress events as well as chronic stress contribute to the disease process through the inflammatory pathways.

The psychological portion of the biopsychsocial model helps in part to explain both the disease process and poor health versus good health in many individuals.  For example, having the diagnosis of depression can wreak havoc on our immune system.  Taking psychotropic medications lend themselves to problems with libido, blood pressure and weight gain, to name a few.  Stress, as highlighted earlier, is a large contributor to the inflammatory processes in progression of disease.  Positive cognitions and positive perceptions - including feeling hopeful, encouraged and inspired, help to counter the inherent negative feelings of fear and anxiety when diagnosed with a disease.  The current research on mindfulness is showing promising results in demonstrating how the relaxation and meditative processes lend themselves to improved health status.  The psychological theories addressing motivation – called ‘readiness to change’ theories, are demonstrating that individuals can be much more successful in making positive health regimen changes when in the action stage.  The understanding of one’s own health beliefs and core assumptions can contribute to understanding the fears and assumptions one may have about disease. The list goes on and on regarding research that demonstrates the psychological component as being key to explanations for disease processes and health and wellness.

The third component of the biopsychosocial model is definitely not the least of the three, but instead, offers a more complete understanding of disease, health and wellness processes.  Some of the newest research in community identifies social contagion as a factor in happiness, group health behavior change and obesity.  Research on social support has taught us that we may report having a supportive family, but in truth, family may also contribute to our failures in self management of our disease.  Group belonging, meaning and recreation helps to counter the feelings of anxiety and the fear of illness in death in cancer patients.  These few points are just a sampling of the varied research and interventions applied to enhance our understanding of health and wellness and offset the stress and difficulties that accompany disease within a family member.

Remember the importance of viewing your own health, wellness and disease issues through the biopsychosocial lens.  Such an approach will give you an improved understanding of what you can and cannot do to change what can be changed and accept what cannot.  Many people find that increasing their knowledge and understanding of the disease and health and wellness processes gives them more confidence and increases their sense of hope and motivation.