Causes Of Mental Health Disorders.
                     CAUSES OF MENTAL 
HEALTH DISORDERS
What are mental disorders?
• Mental disorders (or mental illnesses) are conditions that affect your thinking, 
feeling, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting (chronic). 
They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day.
Source: medlineplus.gov
What are some types of mental disorders?
• There are many different types of mental disorders. Some common ones 
include
– Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 
phobias
– Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders
– Eating disorders
– Personality disorders
– Post-traumatic stress disorder
– Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
Source: medlineplus.gov
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN MENTAL 
HEALTH DISORDERS
Genetics
• Mental illnesses sometimes run in families, suggesting that people who have a 
family member with a mental illness may be somewhat more likely to develop 
one themselves. Susceptibility is passed on in families through genes. 
Source: www.webmd.com
Infections
• Certain infections have been linked to brain damage and 
the development of mental illness or the worsening of its 
symptoms. 
• For example, a condition known as pediatric autoimmune 
neuropsychiatric disorder associated with the 
Streptococcus bacteria has been linked to the 
development of mental illnesses in children.
Source: www.webmd.com
Prenatal damage
• Some evidence suggests that a disruption of early fetal brain development or 
trauma that occurs at the time of birth.
• For example, loss of oxygen to the brain may be a factor in the development of 
certain conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder.
Source: www.webmd.com
Psychological factors involved in Mental health disorders
• Psychological factors that may contribute to mental illness include:
– Severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical, or sexual 
abuse
– An important early loss, such as the loss of a parent
– Poor ability to relate to others
Source: www.webmd.com
Environmental factors involved in Mental health disorders
• Certain stressors can trigger an illness in a person who is susceptible to mental 
illness. These stressors include:
– Death or divorce
– A dysfunctional family life
– Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, anxiety, anger, or loneliness
– Social or cultural expectations
Source: www.webmd.com
Depression
• Depression is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of 
guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, tiredness, and poor 
concentration. 
• People with depression may also have multiple physical complaints with no 
apparent physical cause.
Source: www.webmd.com
Bipolar disorder
• It typically consists of both manic and depressive episodes separated by 
periods of normal mood. 
• Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, over-activity, rapid speech, 
inflated self-esteem and a decreased need for sleep. 
Source: www.webmd.com