One widely accepted approach is the biopsychosocial model, which emphasizes the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding and treating psychological disorders. This model is considered to be holistic and comprehensive, as it takes into account multiple factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of a disorder.
Biological factors include genetics, brain chemistry, and other physiological aspects that can predispose a person to certain disorders. Psychological factors involve individual thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as learned experiences that may contribute to the development or exacerbation of a disorder. Social factors encompass the person's environment, relationships, and culture, which can either contribute to or mitigate the risk of developing a psychological disorder.
For example, consider major depressive disorder (MDD). The biopsychosocial model would suggest that MDD is caused by a combination of factors such as biological, psychological, or social.
The biopsychosocial model allows for a more comprehensive understanding of MDD and promotes a multifaceted approach to treatment, including medication, psychotherapy, and social support interventions.