*Mental Illnesses may be influenced by biological, environmental or psychological factors:
Biological Factors:Genetics
Certain genes inherited from parents can give someone a genetic predisposing for mental illness, meaning they are more likely to develop that illness. Genes influence the levels of chemicals in the brain. Low levels of serotonin can cause depression. People with high levels of dopamine may have schizophrenia. Brain Injury Traumatic brain injury such as a concussion results from a severe blow or jolt to the head and damages the brain. Brain injuries can lead to temporary or permanent changes in the brain, including depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression and substance abuse to control mood and pain. Treatments for Mental Health: Individual or family therapy, support groups, medication, inpatient treatment received round-the-clock in the hospital.
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Psychological Factors:Unhealthy thinking patterns or cognitive distortions can lead to mental disorders. Examples include black-and-white thinking and catastrophizing. Changing the way people think can improve mental health.
Environmental Factors:Mental disorders can be triggered by stressful events and experiences in a person’s environment such as death of a loved one, divorce, family conflict, financial pressures, moving or changing jobs or schools, abuse or neglect and substance abuse.
Medications for Mental Health:Medications for Mental Health: Antidepressants that treat depression by making chemicals in the brain such as serotonin more available; Stimulants for ADD/ADHD to help increase norepinephrine and dopamine to improve a person’s memory and attention span; Medication for anxiety to help slow down the central nervous system; Antipsychotics to help control the highs and lows of bipolar disorder; medications to help people manage withdrawal from addictions and substance abuse.
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Emotional Disorders
The term "emotional disorders" is commonly used to refer to a psychological disorder that tends to affect the emotions (e.g. anxiety disorders or depressive disorders). Some Emotional Disorders are more correctly referred to as psychological disorders, psychiatric disorders, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, behavioral disorders or personality disorders.
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