What causes a Mental Illness?

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It is unlikely that one thing alone leads to a mental illness; usually a number of different factors are involved for a person to develop a mental illness. The cause is not always clear and differs from person to person.

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From the UNSW Australia there are 6 factors for a mental illness to occur.

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Biological

• The body produces chemicals needed to transfer messages between cells and carry out normal body functions (neurotransmitters, hormones). Having too much or too little of certain types of these may contribute to a mental illness.

• Some mental illnesses may have a genetic factor. Therefore the risk of having certain mental illnesses is higher for some people if they have a close biological relative with the same mental illness.

• Physical illness such as experiencing pain or feeling unwell  may also affect the mental wellbeing through lifestyle changes for instance, the ability to work or to get up in the morning.

 

Social

• Self isolation (having few or no relationships, little contact with others, or not feeling involved in a community.)

• Previously been or currently in an abusive or unhealthy relationship.

• Being a victim of discrimination.

• Cutting off communications with intensions

 

Psychological

• Stress or being under pressure, such as having lots of things to deal with at the same time (having large amounts of work either at work, school, university) and not enough time to relax and participate in pleasurable activities. 

• Low self-esteem, e.g. a person may believe they have let family/friends down, or they will never be good enough.

• Some people may use poor coping strategies to deal with negative events. They may try using alcohol or drugs or other methods harmful to their health and may lead to addiction.

• A person’s personality is made up of different traits. Some people may have traits that make them more attracted to mental illness. For example, some people may be naturally more anxious whereas others tend not to worry and go with the flow.

 

Environmental

• Lower socioeconomic status is related to a greater risk of mental ill-health. This may be due to a complex combination of factors. These include: money worries; relationship problems; poor access to healthcare; poor access to leisure activities; reduced education and work opportunities; living in areas with a higher crime rate, etc.

• A person’s living conditions for example, noise, cleanliness, neighbours, personal preference.

• Being homeless is related to a range of things that can affect mental health. For example; risk to safety, basic needs such as food and shelter, isolation from family and friends, lack of access to health services, and being exposed to people who use drugs and alcohol.

• Seasons and lower amounts of daylight can affect some mental illnesses. For example, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression.