Although the exact cause of
most mental illness is not known, it is becoming clear through research that
many of these conditions are caused by a combination of Biological factors, Psychological
factors, Environmental factors.
most mental illness is not known, it is becoming clear through research that
many of these conditions are caused by a combination of Biological factors, Psychological
factors, Environmental factors.
Biological factors in mental illness or
psychiatry disorder
psychiatry disorder
Some mental illness had
been linked to an abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called
neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerves cells in the brain communicate
with each other, if these chemicals are out of balance or are not working
properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly leading to
symptoms of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas
of the brain had also been linked to some mental conditions.
been linked to an abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called
neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerves cells in the brain communicate
with each other, if these chemicals are out of balance or are not working
properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly leading to
symptoms of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas
of the brain had also been linked to some mental conditions.
Other biological factors
that may be involved in the development of mental illness or psychiatric
disorder include.
that may be involved in the development of mental illness or psychiatric
disorder include.
1) Genetics (heredity): Many mental illness run in
families, suggesting that people who have family member with a mental illness
or psychiatry disorder are more susceptible (have a greater likelihood of being
affected) to developing a mental illness. Susceptibility in passed on in
families through genes experts believe many mental illness are linked to
abnormalities in many genes, not just one. That is why a person inherits a
susceptibility to a mental illness and doesn’t necessarily develop the illness.
Mental illness itself occurs from the interaction of multiple genes and other
factors such as stress, abuse or a traumatic event which can influence, or
trigger an illness person who has an inherited susceptibility to it.
families, suggesting that people who have family member with a mental illness
or psychiatry disorder are more susceptible (have a greater likelihood of being
affected) to developing a mental illness. Susceptibility in passed on in
families through genes experts believe many mental illness are linked to
abnormalities in many genes, not just one. That is why a person inherits a
susceptibility to a mental illness and doesn’t necessarily develop the illness.
Mental illness itself occurs from the interaction of multiple genes and other
factors such as stress, abuse or a traumatic event which can influence, or
trigger an illness person who has an inherited susceptibility to it.
2) Infections: Certain infection have
been linked to brain damage and the development of mental illness or the
worsening of its symptoms. For example a condition known as paediatric
autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDA) associated with the streptococcus
bacteria has been linked to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder
and other mental illness in children.
been linked to brain damage and the development of mental illness or the
worsening of its symptoms. For example a condition known as paediatric
autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDA) associated with the streptococcus
bacteria has been linked to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder
and other mental illness in children.
3) Brain defect or injury: Defect or injury to certain
areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental illness.
areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental illness.
4) Prenatal damage: Some evidence suggests
that a disruption of early foetal brain development or trauma that occurs at
the time of birth for example, loss of oxygen to the brain, may be a factor in
the development of certain conditions such as autism (a rare psychiatric
disorder of childhood, with an onset before the age of 21/2
years).
that a disruption of early foetal brain development or trauma that occurs at
the time of birth for example, loss of oxygen to the brain, may be a factor in
the development of certain conditions such as autism (a rare psychiatric
disorder of childhood, with an onset before the age of 21/2
years).
5) Other factors: Poor nutrition and
exposure to toxins, such as lead, may play a role in the development of mental
illness.
exposure to toxins, such as lead, may play a role in the development of mental
illness.
Psychological factors that contribute to mental
illness or psychiatric disorder
illness or psychiatric disorder
Psychological factors that may contribute to mental illness/psychiatric
disorder include:
disorder include:
1) Severe psychological trauma
suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
2) An important early loss,
such as the loss of a parent.
such as the loss of a parent.
3) Neglect
4) Poor ability to relate to
others.
others.
Environmental factors that contribute to mental
illness/psychiatric disorder
illness/psychiatric disorder
Certain stressors can
trigger an illness in a person who is susceptible to mental illness/psychiatric
disorder. These stressors include.
trigger an illness in a person who is susceptible to mental illness/psychiatric
disorder. These stressors include.
1) Death or divorce
2) A dysfunctional family life
3) Living in poverty
4) Feelings of inadequacy, low
self-esteem anxiety, anger or loneliness
self-esteem anxiety, anger or loneliness
5) Changing jobs or schools
6) Social or cultural
expectation (for example, a society that associates beauty with thinness can be
a factor in the development of eating disorder)
expectation (for example, a society that associates beauty with thinness can be
a factor in the development of eating disorder)
7) Substance abuse by the person
or the person’s parents.
or the person’s parents.