Toward an Integral Treatment Methodology for Schizophrenia: Part Three

Looking Forward: Justifications for an Integral Model

The biopsychosocial model has been strongly criticized by many who strictly subscribe to the medical model. The medical model views schizophrenia as an organic disease and thus, should be treated with medications. Kevin Gournay has reported research findings in this area in an article titled “New Facts on Schizophrenia.”22 He asserts that although social and psychological factors are important in determining outcome and quality of life for people with schizophrenia, the condition is essentially a brain disease. The psychiatry movement does not include in its framework the psychological, social, and cultural aspects that effect clients diagnosed with severe mental illness. A map that only addresses the biology of the individual living with schizophrenia is a partial map that results in partial treatment.

As it is partial, the medical model runs into difficulty on a number of levels. Psychiatrists frequently try to treat unwilling clients. This might be attributed to the client’s “lack of insight,” common to those diagnosed with schizophrenia. But the decision to refuse medication can seem rational in light of the potentially devastating side effects, and the conflicting evidence of their efficacy. The list of side effects alone is enough to make clients reluctant.23 The list includes Parkinsonism, restlessness and sluggishness, tardive dyskinesia, and a massive range of other effects including anticholinergic, sensitivity reactions, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.24

Those in the biopsychosocial camp strongly criticize the strictly medical approach as a narrow and limited approach to a living, breathing human being. The biopsychosocial model claims to be holistic in that treatment focuses on the biological, psychological, and social aspects of the individual. However, this model fails to include many aspects of the schizophrenics reality. For one, the biopsychosocial model does not address the very real spiritual aspects of this disorder. Many individuals with schizophrenia experience subtle realm states. Altered states are an extremely important and controversial topic in regard to schizophrenia. The biopsychosocial, model, although much more inclusive than the strict medical model, does not take into account or even mention subtle state experiences and the debate over spiritual emergence versus spiritual emergency. Also, clients seemed to be “plugged” into the biopsychosocial approach as though hey were some stagnant variable—never changing, always the same. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are as unique and complex as any other living being. These individuals are often more complex due to their psychological condition. It does not seem rational to treat every client
diagnosed with schizophrenia in the same way. Medications, psychotherapy, and skills training techniques do not and will not work for every client. Treatment should be tailored according to biological,psychological, social, and cultural strengths and weaknesses.

A new approach that includes the biological, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of an individual, as well as developmental stages, states of consciousness, lines of development, and even spirituality, is the Integral model. The Integral model, developed by Ken Wilber, offers a more comprehensive, balanced, and inclusive approach to the treatment of schizophrenia.

- Kelly Sosan Bearer