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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no specific identifiable cause of mental illness. Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:
- Inherited traits. Mental illness is more common in people whose biological family members also have a mental illness. You may have a genetic vulnerability to developing a mental illness, and your life situation may trigger the actual mental illness if you're already at risk.
- Biological factors. In addition to inherited traits, outside forces can sometimes be linked to mental illness — for example, traumatic brain injury or exposure to viruses or toxins while in the womb.
- Life experiences. Challenging situations in your life, such as the loss of a loved one, financial problems and high stress, can play a role in triggering mental illness. Life experiences can also be a factor, such as an upbringing leading to poor self-esteem or a history of sexual or physical abuse. Life experiences can lead to unhealthy patterns of thinking linked to mental illness, such as pessimism or distorted ways of thinking.
- Brain chemistry. Known as biochemical causes, changes occurring in the brain are thought to affect mood and other aspects of mental health. Naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters play a role in some mental illnesses. In some cases, hormonal imbalances affect mental health. It's thought that inherited traits, life experiences and biological factors can all affect brain chemistry linked to mental illnesses.
References
- Matorin AA, et al. Clinical manifestations of psychiatric disorders. In: Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:1071.
- Mental illness and the family: Recognizing warning signs and how to cope. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/mi-and-the-family/recognizing-warning-signs-and-how-to-cope.Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Introduction. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 28, 2010.
- What are the early signs of mental disorders? World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/features/qa/38/en. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Warning signs of major mental illness. Healthy Minds. http://www.healthyminds.org/Document-Library/Brochure-Library/Lets-Talk-Facts-Warning-Signs-of-Major-Mental-Illnesses.aspx. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Mind/body connection: How your emotions affect your health. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.printerview.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Kung S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 22, 2010.
- The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/statistics/index.shtml. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Kiraly B, et al. Primary care issues in patients with mental illness. American Family Physician. 2008;1:355.
- Overview of mental illness. Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter2/sec2.html. Accessed June 28, 2010.
- Mental illness: Taking care of yourself. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0801/p363.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Martinez M, et al. Psychopharmacology. In: Hales RE. Textbook of Psychiatry. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008.
- Donker T, et al. Psychoeducation for depression, anxiety and psychological distress: A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine. 2009;7:79.
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed June 28, 2010.
- Lee RA. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154207005-3/0/1494/57.html?tocnode=54111716&fromURL=57.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50014-4_229. Accessed June 28, 2010.
- Saeed SA, et al. Herbal and dietary supplements for treatment of anxiety disorders. American Family Physician. 2007;76:549.
- Wahner-Roedler D. Treating 20 common conditions. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:166.
- Staying well when you have a mental health condition. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/mental-health-month/staying-well-when-you-have-a-mental-illness. Accessed June 28, 2010.
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