Mental Illness Basics
Introduction
Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that
influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves and/or relates to others and
to his or her surroundings. Although the symptoms of mental illness can
range from mild to severe and are different depending on the type of
mental illness, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to
cope with life's daily routines and demands.
What Causes Mental Illness?
Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is
becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a
combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental factors.
One thing is for sure—mental illness is not the result of personal
weakness or a character defect, and recovery from a mental illness is not
simply a matter of will and self-discipline.
- Heredity (genetics): Many mental illnesses run in
families, suggesting that the illnesses may be passed on from parents to
children through genes. Genes contain instructions for the function of each
cell in the body and are responsible for how we look, act, think, etc. But,
just because your mother or father may have a mental illness doesn't mean you
will have one. Hereditary just means that you are more likely to get the
condition than if you didn't have an affected family member. Experts believe
that many mental conditions are linked to problems in multiple genes—not
just one, as with many diseases—which is why a person inherits a
susceptibility to a mental disorder, but doesn't always develop the condition.
The disorder itself occurs from the interaction of these genes and other
factors—such as psychological trauma and environmental stressors—which
can influence, or trigger, the illness in a person who has inherited a
susceptibility to it.
-
Biology: Some mental illnesses have been linked to an
abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If
these chemicals are out of balance or are not working properly, messages may
not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms
of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the
brain also have been linked to some mental conditions.
-
Psychological trauma: Some mental illnesses may be
triggered by psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as severe
emotional, physical or sexual abuse; a significant early loss, such as the loss
of a parent; and neglect.
-
Environmental stressors: Certain stressors—such as a
death or divorce, a dysfunctional family
life, changing jobs or schools and substance abuse—can trigger a disorder in
a person who may be at risk for developing a mental illness.
Next: Can mental illness be prevented? »
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Bipolar Disorder (Mania) »
Introduction to bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression or bipolar
depression, is a relatively common mood disorder that affects about 5.7 million
Americans. Characterized by episodes of depression alternating with euphoric
(manic) states, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are several and often affect an individual's daily functioning
and interpersonal relationships.
Bipolar disorder symptoms include depression and
feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other
depressive symptoms include thoughts of suicide, alterations in sleep patterns, and
loss of interest in activities that once were a source of pleasure. What
differentiates bipolar disorder from major depression is the occurrence of manic
episodes, often described as emotional "highs," between the episodes of
depression. Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness,
increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thought...
Read the Bipolar Disorder (Mania) article »
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