Explanations for why someone is acting oddly have changed through the centuries. The medical model is the form of explanation current in modern society. This led to a number of problems with reliability of diagnosis 3. The medical model of abnormal behaviour results in somatic therapies, which involve chemical, electrical or physical forms of intervention with the body, designed to alleviate or cure mental disorders. It has attracte considerable criticism.
Abnormality is an elusive concept.
It does not conform to statistical or normative criteria for abnormality, and may vary in social groups and cultures. Its conventional nature can lead to bias in psychiatric diagnosis. The medical model identifies specific disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Explanations for these disorders include genetics, neurochemistry and social stressors. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia can ultimately result in the individual starving to death.