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What Causes Mental Health Disorders?

June 28, 2024

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, it’s normal to ask, “Why me?” and “How did this happen?” We don’t entirely understand why some people develop mental disorders, but experts have identified some determining traits. Once you understand the possible causes of mental disorders near Fair Lawn, it’s easier to find the treatment you need and feel less isolated.

What Causes Mental Health Disorders In Fair Lawn And The US?

There’s no conclusive way to know what has precipitated a mental health disorder. You may have equivalent life experiences as another individual and get a disorder that they don’t. Or, possibly you have a mental health condition that your relatives don’t have. However, experts have pinpointed certain characteristics that have direct correlations to mental health disorders. If you have a psychiatric affliction, you may relate to one or more of these causes of mental health disorders.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are distressing events that occur before the age of 18. These may include:

  • Acts of violence or physical abuse
  • Being a witness to violence
  • Having a loved one attempt or die from suicide
  • Habitating with someone with an alcohol or drug addiction
  • Living with a person with an undiagnosed mental health disorder
  • Separation from parents or guardians
  • Housing or food insecurity

The negative repercussions of these events might follow you throughout life. Even if you happen to have a safer, less traumatic life in your adult years, the terror and damage inflicted by ACEs might play a role in psychiatric disorders.

Chronic Medical Concerns

Being afflicted by and trying to manage a chronic, life-changing health concern may exact a toll on you. It’s known to be exhausting, disheartening, and terrifying. So, it isn’t surprising that people with chronic medical afflictions are at an increased risk for mental ailments, as well. If you’re struggling with frequent anxiety or symptoms of depression in conjunction with a long-term illness, this could be a logical rationale.

Drug Or Alcohol Use

Prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol all include powerful chemicals that impact your feelings and thoughts. That’s the reason why individuals take these substances and why they develop alcohol and drug use disorders. But these chemicals may modify your brain chemistry, creating problems that linger even once the substance isn’t present. If your brain chemistry is modified like this, it may lead to mental illness.

Social Isolation

Human beings are social animals. Even the most introverted people require some human bonding to survive. If you have a rather isolated life with not many positive relationships or contact with other individuals, it will affect your mental health.

Chemical Imbalances

Our mental, emotional, and physical well-being are all connected to chemicals found in our bodies. When those chemicals get thrown out of balance for whatever reason, we may endure detrimental repercussions. If there isn’t an evident cause behind your mental disorder, it could be that the brain chemicals that manage your emotions are unbalanced. Things like genetics and lifestyle can precipitate these imbalances, but most frequently, doctors don’t understand why someone is enduring this common cause of mental health disorders near Fair Lawn.

Why Is The Cause of Mental Disorders Noteworthy?

So why does the cause of your mental disorder make a difference? You may never pinpoint the precise cause of your condition, but these factors can help you get a better idea of what it is. Front that point, you and your healthcare provider will have an easier time knowing how to address your disorder. To illustrate, some prescriptions can help with chemical imbalances, and therapy can help you overcome childhood experiences.

Understanding potential causes of mental illness might also aid you in making needed lifestyle enhancements to help you steer clear of future disorders. You could also feel less isolated understanding others are going through similar situations.

Get More Information About Mental Health Disorders And Treatment

The Counseling Center at Fair Lawn is your trusted local provider of mental health treatment. We offer professional outpatient guidance when you need assistance diagnosing or navigating a psychiatric condition. Dial 201-389-5326 today or send in the form below, and we’ll respond right away to consult on your mental health concerns.