Your Mental Health, Uncovered: Causes of Mental Illness

We understand: talking about mental illness can be intimidating. You might feel nervous, stigmatized, or just plain unsure of how to discuss your own or a loved one’s mental illness. After all, mental health is still largely considered a taboo subject in our society. Although we’re getting better at treating mental health like the physical illness it is, many people still feel anxious at the thought of admitting that they struggle.

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If that’s you, you’re not alone. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be devoting space on the Wild Health blog to talking openly and factually about mental illness. Today, we’re going to start with the basics: getting to the root causes of mental illness.

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What causes mental illness?

Mental illness is caused by a combination of factors. For example, your genes, your life experiences, the biological makeup of your brain, use of alcohol or drugs, and having a serious medical condition can all put someone at risk for mental illness. Other potential causes of mental illness include childhood abuse, a traumatic brain injury, a mother’s exposure to viruses or toxic chemicals while pregnant, social isolation, and numerous other factors..

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That said,some mental illness may be more heavily influenced by genetics while others are more heavily influenced by life experiences, trauma and lifestyle factors. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism all have roots in an individual’s unique biology, as evidenced by structural and functional abnormalities that can be seen in imaging scans. Depression and anxiety, on the other hand, can be much more affected by environmental factors (although someone can still be genetically predisposed to these conditions).

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With so many risk factors contributing to mental illness, diagnosis can get incredibly complicated, incredibly fast - especially when a number of medical specialists are involved and the appointments start to stack up. Precision medicine can empower individuals to make healthy decisions around diet, exercise, nutrition, stress management and sleep (based on genetics, lab results, etc).

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But if there’s one thing you take away from this session, make it this: mental illnesses are not caused by character flaws, and they’re not a choice. You’re not weak, stupid, or less-than if you have a mental illness. In fact, you’re even stronger for deciding to face it head-on.

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How does mental illness develop?

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Mental illness presents differently depending on what the specific disorder is. In some cases, a mental illness begins in childhood, while others develop later in life. In others, environmental factors or major life events might trigger the presentation of the illness (for example, financial problems or a loved one’s death can lead to depressive disorder). Finally, a new medical diagnosis or an ongoing medical condition can increase one’s risk factors for a mental illness. The stress and exhaustion of managing certain chronic diseases can unfortunately go hand-in-hand with one’s propensity for mental illness.

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Knowing the warning signs of mental illness can help you or a loved one take action earlier. Some potential signs and symptoms of mental illness are:

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• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Mood changes
• Loss of interest in socializing and/or activities you previously enjoyed
• Feelings of apathy or disconnection
• Illogical thinking or unusual behavior
• Problems with concentration, memory, or functioning

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While one of these symptoms on its own doesn’t necessarily indicate a mental disorder, it can be a sign that it’s time to talk to a mental health professional.

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How does trauma relate to mental illness?

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“Trauma- and stressor-related disorders” are a subset of mental disorders as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Each of these disorders can be caused, triggered, or worsened by a traumatic event or experience. Unlike many other mental illnesses, which stem from a combination of factors, trauma disorders can nearly always be traced back to a specific experience (although not everyone who experiences trauma will develop a disorder, and some risk factors make people more or less vulnerable to trauma disorders).

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The symptoms of trauma disorders include fear, extreme anxiety, stress, and depression. A person with a trauma disorder might be prone to violent outbursts, social withdrawal, or other difficulties with work and relationships. Similarly, people who already live with severe mental illness may experience more distress after a traumatic episode.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most well-known trauma disorders, and between seven and eight percent of U.S. adults will experience it at some point in their lives. PTSD is much more common in women, likely because women are more vulnerable to higher rates of sexual and domestic violence.

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At the same time, having a trauma disorder might increase someone’s risk of developing other mental illnesses or substance abuse (especially if the trauma disorder is undiagnosed or untreated). The trauma might trigger or worsen other mental disorders, or someone with a trauma disorder might turn to drugs or alcohol as an escape.

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What should you do if you think you have a mental illness?

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We’ll get into this topic more specifically in one of our upcoming blog posts, but first: know that you’re not alone, and that you’re deserving of help. Start by working with a medical professional to make and understand a diagnosis. From there, you can create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and your mental health needs.

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Mental health isn’t something you have to handle alone. Your team of medical professionals, plus your friends, family, and loved ones, can all help support you in your journey to optimal mental health.

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If you or someone you know is in need of immediate help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline right away at 1-800-273-8255.

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