Evolving views of mental disorders and their treatment

During the past three decades, research advances in the biomedical and behavioral sciences have converged to revolutionize--or rather "evolutionize"--public and professional views of the etiology and treatment of mental disorders. As Sabshin has observed, at long last science has replaced ideology as the foundation for understanding and designing treatments for these disorders. One might also add that, at long last, science is providing solid support for the biopsychosocial approach long espoused by family physicians and many mental health clinicians and researchers.