Mental health is not just one condition, so there is no one cause. In fact, it is a mystery as to why some people end up with mental health problems. There are however some factors that are now known to play a role in someone developing this illness at some point in their life. What scientists have been able to decipher however, is that there are some genetic, environmental and even psychological factors at play.
Physical and Genetic Factors
In some cases, mental health problems run in the family. Sometimes abnormal genes combine to cause some form of mental health problem. Stress, substance abuse or some other factor may trigger a mental health breakdown once these genes are present.
Other physical factors that can lead to mental health disorders include brain injuries and infections. There is also some belief that problems at birth such as a lack of oxygen could lead to mental problems later on.
Environmental Factors
People’s surroundings can also trigger mental illnesses. People who live in crime prone communities for example may eventually break under the strain of constant violence. Some environmental factors may be easily overlooked, but their impact on mental health can be long-lasting. Overweight children who are constantly berated for their size may go on to develop an eating disorder which is a mental health problem.
Psychological Factors
Some of the main psychological causes of mental illness result from traumatic childhood experiences. These include losing a parent at an early age, or sexual or physical abuse. Traumatic experiences later in life can also result in a mental breakdown.
The variety of mental health problems that can affect people is still being studied by the scientific and medical communities. No doubt new causes, as well as treatment options will be discovered in the fight to help those affected.