The causes of mental disease might be environmental, hereditary, or any combination. Biological variables include ecological pollution, fetal damage, brain malformations, substance abuse, and genetics. However, many experts concur that they are not the only contributing elements. Important physiological factors include a compromised immune system, chronic physical issues, and epilepsy. A mix of circumstances can generally influence a person's mental state.
There is less direct scientific evidence to support these statements, although research indicates that social and environmental variables may contribute to some occurrences of mental illness. Even though social environment elements are frequently regarded as indirect causes of mental illness, they are related to numerous problems. Even though many of these risk factors have no direct effect on mental health, they can influence the likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders.
According to researchers, the following are some more potential causes of mental disease.
Depression and anxiety problems have been connected to poverty in the lowest neighborhoods. People in these communities endure several economic and social strains, including an absence of affordable housing. Class socioeconomic status is one of the most critical risk factors for psychiatric diseases, and this population's frequency of mental illness is directly proportional to the poverty rate. Moreover, poverty is an established risk factor for substance misuse and mental disorders.
As a result, it is crucial to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness, which may be one of the most significant barriers to obtaining mental health treatment. Studies have demonstrated that social stigma is a significant barrier to securing aid and that minorities suffer more in this regard than majorities. The results of the study indicate that mental illness is a pervasive concern. The adverse effects of social stigma are especially acute for racial and ethnic minorities.
Multiple sorts of genetic variables are associated with schizophrenia and other mental diseases. Frequently, genetic factors contribute to the development and manifestation of mental disorders. However, genetic predisposition to mental diseases is complex due to the interaction between genes and early development. For example, evidence indicates that mental illness-associated behavioral patterns are heritable in restrictive and permissive situations. In addition, additional genetic elements are associated with brain plasticity development.
In treating such problems, the cultural dimensions of mental health are equally vital. While one society may encounter severe mental disorders at a younger age, another culture may have different perspectives. As a last option, Ethiopians, Burmese, and Pakistanis may seek therapy for mental health problems. In addition, the societal perception of mental health is critical in the decision to seek care. People are less inclined to seek mental health care due to its stigma, and they may even try to arrange their discharge once they have been diagnosed.
The new definition of depression emphasized symptoms while ignoring the social context and the patient's past. Thus, there was a significant increase in the number of diagnoses for this illness. However, the new description of depression redirected attention away from the underlying personality conflict and social context. This made diagnosis more challenging but improved our understanding of the illness. Consequently, the DSM-III has become the most popular guidebook.
In this new way of thinking, intentionality as a cause of the mental disease is ruled out. Instead, it aims to explain the relationship between deliberate and non-intentional brain functions. In other words, it would reduce the gap between the cause of mental illness and its treatment, but the natural part of mental disorders would remain unchanged. This new method for comprehending mental disease would also align with existing scientific understanding.
Psychiatric treatments can also be used to treat severe forms of mental disorders. Antidepressants, SSRIs, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines are the five groups of psychotropic drugs. Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, and Citalopram are SSRIs. Although SSRIs are powerful antidepressants, they can cause weight gain, drowsiness, and nausea as adverse effects.
A significant predictor of mental health disorders is a loss of purpose or meaning in life. Some authors attribute these symptoms to stress, which may lead to depression. However, stress is a significant contributor to mental health issues. In a 2004 study, Laidlaw and Gjesvik discovered that participants overestimated the intensity of their symptoms and frequently mistook the onset of depression to indicate poor quality of life.