What Causes Mental Health Disorders?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, it’s normal to wonder, “Why me?” and “How did this happen?” We don’t completely understand why some people have mental disorders, but researchers have identified some determining factors. When you have a better understanding of the likely causes of mental disorders near West Caldwell, it’s less difficult to determine the treatment you need and feel less isolated.
What Causes Mental Health Disorders In West Caldwell And The United States?
There is no conclusive way to determine what has caused a mental health disorder. You may have comparable life experiences as another individual and develop a disorder that they don’t. Or, perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness that your relatives don’t have. But, experts have singled out factors that directly correlate to mental health disorders. If dealing with a psychiatric condition, you might identify with one of these causes of mental health disorders.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are disturbing events that happen before age 18. These may include:
- Violence and physical abuse
- Being a witness to violence
- Having a family member commit suicide or attempt to do so
- Living with an individual with an alcohol or drug addiction
- Living with a loved one with an undiagnosed mental health disorder
- Splitting from parents or family members
- Food and shelter insecurity
The detrimental repercussions of these events may stick with you throughout life. Even when you have a safer, more stable life as an adult, the fear and hurt inflicted by ACEs may lead to psychiatric disorders.
Chronic Medical Concerns
Enduring and managing a chronic, life-changing physiological concern can exact a toll on you. It’s draining, discouraging, and terrifying. So, it’s not surprising that people with chronic medical conditions are at an increased risk for mental ailments, as well. If you’re battling ongoing anxiety or symptoms of depression as part of a lifelong illness, this could be a logical explanation.
Substance Use
Prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol all include powerful chemicals that impact your feelings and thoughts. That’s why some people use these substances and why they foster substance use disorders. But these chemicals can modify your brain’s chemistry, creating imbalances that persist even after the substance isn’t present. If your brain chemistry is modified like this, it can cause mental illness.
Social Isolation
Humans are social lifeforms. Even private citizens necessitate a bit of human contact to flourish. If you have a rather secluded life with a limited number of fulfilling interactions or relationships with other individuals, it will impact your mental health.
Chemical Imbalances
Our physical, emotional, and mental well-being are all tied to chemicals found in our bodies. Whenever those chemicals become out of balance for whatever reason, we could endure detrimental repercussions. If there isn’t an evident cause behind your mental disorder, it might be that the neural chemicals that manage your moods are unbalanced. Elements like lifestyle and genetics may cause these imbalances, but most of the time, physicians aren’t certain why an individual is undergoing this widespread cause of mental health disorders near West Caldwell.
Why Does The Cause Of Mental Disorders Make A Difference?
So why does the cause of your mental disorder make a difference? You could never pinpoint the exact cause of your disorder, but these factors will help you get a good idea of what it is. Front that point, you and your medical provider will have less trouble determining how to address your disorder. For example, medications may help with chemical irregularities, and therapy can help you work past childhood traumas.
Knowing possible causes of mental health disorders might also help you make required lifestyle enhancements to help you steer clear of future disorders. You might also feel less alone understanding other people have similar experiences.
Learn More About Mental Health Disorders And Treatment
The Counseling Center at West Caldwell is your local resource for mental health treatment. We supply compassionate outpatient support when you need help managing or diagnosing a psychiatric disorder. Dial 973-453-0808 today or complete the contact form, and we’ll respond promptly to consult on your mental health needs.