Introduction to Mental Illness Causes

• The question "What causes mental illness?" is complex and will be revisited throughout psychology studies.

Key Concepts in Understanding Mental Illness

• Nature vs Nurture

  • Nature: Refers to predisposed or genetic propensities towards mental illness.

  • Nurture: Involves the impact of negative life experiences such as trauma, abuse, neglect, non-optimal parenting, and family environments.

Diathesis-Stress Model

• Definition: A model explaining the interaction between predisposed vulnerabilities and stressors that lead to mental illness.

  • Diathesis: Represents the underlying vulnerability or predisposition to a mental illness.

  • Stress: Encompasses current or recent events that activate the underlying vulnerabilities.

  • Formula:
    ext{Diathesis} + ext{Stress} = ext{Illness}

  • Applicable to both physical and mental health conditions.

Diatheses (Predispositions to Mental Illness)

• Include genetic and epigenetic predispositions affecting susceptibility to mental illnesses.

  • Genetic Predisposition: Observed in various disorders including:

  • Schizophrenia

  • Bipolar disorder

  • Depression

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Epigenetic Predisposition: Variations in gene expression influenced by environmental factors, impacting susceptibility to:

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Anger

Negative Experiences Impacting Diathesis

1. In Childhood:

   • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include:

     • Childhood physical, sexual, and emotional abuse

     • Physical neglect and emotional neglect

     • Exposure to family violence

     • Parental substance use

     • Parental mental illness

     • Parental separation or divorce

     • Parental incarceration

2. In Adulthood:

   • Past trauma and other negative events.

Stress and Its Role in Mental Illness

• Definition: Stress refers to anything that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope effectively.

  • Acute Environmental Stressors:

  • Loss of loved ones, job, mobility, or ability

  • Recent traumatic events (disasters, war, accidents)

  • Other factors causing immediate high stress

  • Chronic Environmental Stressors:

  • Ongoing relational conflicts

  • Financial stress

  • Chronic pain or illness

  • Workplace bullying

  • Stressors can overwhelm coping tools and strategies gradually over time.

Interconnections: Diathesis-Stress Model and Nature/Nurture

• The interplay between genetic predisposition, epigenetic predisposition, early adverse environments, and stressors framing the understanding of mental illness.

  • Diagrammatic Representation:

  • Diathesis: Various vulnerabilities, reactivities, and coping tools

  • Gene and Environmental Factors: (Adverse childhood experiences, adult trauma)

  • Stress Factors:

    • Acute (loss, trauma)

    • Chronic (relational conflicts, financial stress, illness, bullying)

Causes of Recent Increase in Mental Illness

• Current hypotheses regarding the rise in mental health issues include:

  • Genetic or epigenetic factors, though unlikely given the rapid increase in rates.

  • Early childhood environments and their influence, such as:

  • Overprotective parenting styles of Generation Z.

  • Impact of smartphones and social media in rewiring brain functions.

  • Acute and chronic environmental stressors, for example:

  • Global stress factors such as war and climate change.

  • Increasing political polarization and severe economic inequality.

  • Accessibility of negative news through mobile phones leading to heightened anxiety.

Conclusion on Mental Health Causation

• Mental health causation is a complex interplay of various factors. It is essential to maintain an open mind and follow scientific evidence to gain deeper insights into the causes of mental illness.