Mental health is a very popular topic in society now, as it is one of the most important aspects of a person’s health. Having good mental health does not just mean being free from mental disorders. It is a crucial component of our lives that enables a person to build relationships, make decisions and shape the world we live in.
A mental illness is different from the grief, anger and other emotions we may feel. These issues can affect people of all age groups and they affect each individual in a different way. It is important to recognize that there are many reasons for the development of such conditions and they are multifaceted.
The main reasons for mental health issues could be broadly categorized as biological, psychological, environmental and socioeconomic factors. Biological reasons include prenatal damage, infections, brain defects or injuries and genetics (heredity). Some psychological factors are severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, and important early losses such as the loss of a parent. Under environmental factors, changing jobs or schools, social or cultural expectations, substance abuse may be considered. Unemployment, low income, poverty, debt, poor living conditions and education can be regarded as some socioeconomic factors.
Considering the biological factors, mental illnesses can occur due to a mutation in DNA causing an abnormality in the expression of the gene. Rather than one gene, it is a group of genes and how they interact with each other as well as the environment, which determines its outcome. As these genetic traits are hereditary, a person with a family history of mental illness could be more susceptible. So even if the relevant gene is dormant or inactive, exposure to an event like sudden trauma, grief or abuse could act as a trigger in such a person. Other than hereditary factors, bacterial or viral infections that last for longer periods of time can give rise to other symptoms associated with mental illness. An example seen in children is the development of anxiety, depression and mood swings due to a condition called Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANDAS syndrome). It initially occurs due to an infection by a Streptococcus bacterium but could result in a child becoming moody, anxious, aggressive and displaying obsessive-compulsive behaviors. This is because they are being subjected to dealing with body movements they cannot control. Conditions like schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder have also been linked to bacterial, viral or parasitic infections in prenatal period, childhood or in maturity.
Psychological factors are one of the more prominent reasons for mental disorders. Grief is often described as the sorrow and pain that follow a significant loss. It is normal to experience grief at the loss of a loved one, but a person may get lost in shock and pain if they do not develop appropriate ways to cope with their mindset. Feelings of denial and anger which are common in times of grief, could manifest over long periods and ultimately give rise to intense sorrow or depression. Depression is one of the most common long term effects of grief. Lethargy, apathy, lack of enjoyment, isolation and thoughts of self-harm are all possible results of such a condition. Feelings of inadequacy or low self esteem and an inability to relate to others result in circumstances, where one becomes so anxious and immersed in their thoughts and beliefs of self-hatred that they begin to feel like an outcast in a society where day-to-day interactions with others become a burden to shoulder. Children subjected to abuse and neglect are much more likely to develop psychiatric disorders including phobias, borderline personality disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is because childhood maltreatment likely increases a person’s sensitivity to the effects of recent life stress.
Poverty and unemployment may force a person to partake in extensive substance use. It may be done as a coping mechanism to deal with their daily issues or to forget the existence of their troubles. Studies have shown that substance use may trigger changes in brain structure and function that make a person more likely to develop mental turmoil. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is one such example. It is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control the use of substances both legal and illegal (drugs, alcohol, medications). Although it may provide temporary relief, if not controlled, substance use will lead to addiction, during which a person will lose focus on other daily activities and be completely immersed in a substance-induced haze and loss of control in their life. Facing situations like debt may create panic and hysteria which could lead to rash decision-making, anger, and an unsound outlook on life.
Raising awareness about mental health issues and their reasons will help to eliminate the stigma surrounding such disorders and provide a better understanding to the public. It will benefit those suffering from such conditions to identify the cause of their present mental state and to obtain treatment so that they may start on the path to a better life.
By Rtr. Tharani Weeraman
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Stay tuned with our Tranquil U blog series to explore more about mental health.
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Good Work! Keep it up! 💗