Mental Health Causes And Treatment

Introduction

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Mental, neurological and behavioural disorders are common to all countries and cause immense suffering. People with these disorders are often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and increased mortality. These disorders are the cause of staggering economic and social costs. Most mental problems are either pathological (caused by disease) or they are caused by problems in childhood and growing up, or stressful events of life. Stresses and problems affect every individual differently, and each person will adapt - or fail to do so - according to his or her physical and psychological makeup.

Causes

Genetics (heredity): Many mental illnesses run in families, suggesting that people who have a family member with a mental illness are more susceptible (have a greater likelihood of being affected) to developing a mental illness. Susceptibility is passed on in families through genes. Experts believe many mental illnesses are linked to abnormalities in many genes -- not just one. That is why a person inherits a susceptibility to a mental illness and doesn't necessarily develop the illness. Mental illness itself occurs from the interaction of multiple genes and other factors --such as stress abuse or a traumatic event -- which can influence, or trigger, an illness in a person who has an inherited susceptibility to it.

Environmental stressors – Your physical surroundings can set off the stress response. Examples of environmental stressors include an unsafe neighborhood, pollution, noise (sirens keeping you up at night, a barking dog next door), and uncomfortable living conditions. For people living in crime-ridden areas or war-torn regions, the stress may be unrelenting.

Social stressors – Your social situation can cause stress. For example, poverty, financial pressures, racial and sexual discrimination or harassment, unemployment, isolation, and a lack of social support all take a toll on daily quality of life.

Psychological factors-your psychological state and influence your mental and emotional state, particularly if you are coping with traumatic and abusive past or current experiences, significant life events like bereavement or divorce, or if you have self-destructive thought patterns and perceptions - our psychological state can and will influence and our mental health.

Brain defects or injury: Defects in or injuries to certain areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental illnesses.

Treatment

Psychiatric drugs are the most common kind of medical treatment for mental health problems. There are a huge number of psychiatric drugs available, with different types used to treat different forms of mental health problems. They work by altering the chemistry of the brain, and affect people's mood and behaviour.Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is another form of treatment but this is normally only used as a last resort after all other options have been tried.

Video medical treatment also increasingly is filling the gap in regions of the country where specialists are in short supply. And mental health appointments work especially well over video, enabling therapists to reach many patients who otherwise might not get help, experts say.