According to statistics, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness this year. Mental illnesses are some of the most common conditions that are diagnosed every day. But, understanding these conditions is part of the healing process. And, many people who are living with these issues may wonder how they’ve come to develop the mental illness they’re facing. It can be helpful to understand more about the causes of mental illness you’ve been diagnosed with as it can help you better assess how to approach treatment. Plus, it can give you a better sense of how common these issues are and ensure you that you’re not alone in your experience.
Some of the most common causes of mental illness include:
Experiencing trauma can lead to the development of mental illness. Specifically, people who live through trauma during childhood and adolescence have an increased risk of developing mental health issues. While not every person who lives through a traumatic experience will develop a mental illness, experiencing trauma does increase the risk of developing mental illnesses like depressive disorders, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. People who have experienced trauma may experience debilitating mental effects that, if left untreated, can lead to negative emotional effects that, if left untreated, can lead to developing a mental illness. Trauma comes in many forms and may be different from person to person. Some examples of things that can qualify as traumatic experiences include witnessing or being the victim of a violent attack or abuse, bullying, war combat, being the victim of a natural disaster, injury, or illness, etc.
Most people don’t respond well to change. Especially, sudden and dramatic changes in life that may leave a person experiencing emotional fragility. Severe changes in life can lead to the development of mental health issues. Examples of sudden life changes can include divorce, losing a loved one, being diagnosed with a physical illness, experiencing a debilitating injury, losing a job, etc. Not being able to cope with changes in one’s life can lead to negative emotional effects that can also lead to the development of mental health issues like anxiety and depressive disorders.
As we have seen with the pandemic, isolation can lead to negative mental health symptoms that can increase the risk of developing mental health issues. As human beings, we are social creatures that thrive when we are surrounded by others. But, when we are presented with isolation, we can get lonely. Loneliness can lead to other negative emotional effects that can eventually lead to the development of specific mental health issues.
People who are living with substance use disorder, or addiction, are at an increased risk for developing mental health issues. The negative impacts that come with a life of addiction can affect relationships, financial stability, legal status, and more. These consequences can lead to negative emotional effects, avoidance behaviors, and other negative emotional impacts that can lead to the development of mental health conditions.
Recognizing why you may have developed a mental health issue can help you begin the road to healing as you are more aware of what may have played a part in the development of a diagnosed condition. This can help with the acceptance process and allow you to make further important decisions about mental health care. If you’re wondering why you may have developed a mental health issue and what the next steps for treatment may be, Delray Center for Healing is here for you. Find out more about our outpatient mental health treatment options and services on our website.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.