Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment in Freehold, NJ
732-515-4187

All Calls Are Confidential

Freehold
732-515-4187
two women talking by a couch with a text overlay of what causes mental health disorders

What Causes Mental Health Disorders?

June 28, 2024

If you are living with a mental health disorder, it’s reasonable to wonder, “Why me?” and “Why did this happen?” We don’t entirely comprehend why certain people have mental illnesses, but scientists have detected some determining characteristics. Once you have a greater understanding of the likely causes of mental disorders near Freehold, it’s simpler to find the support you need and feel less lonely.

What Causes Mental Health Disorders In Freehold And Beyond?

There isn’t a conclusive way to figure out what has caused a mental health disorder. You may have equivalent life experiences as another person and develop a disorder that they haven’t experienced. Or, perhaps you have a mental health condition that your relatives haven’t encountered. Even so, experts have identified certain characteristics that strongly correlate to mental health disorders. If you’re experiencing a psychiatric condition, you may identify with one of these causes of mental health disorders.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are distressing events experienced before age 18. These may include:

  • Acts of violence or physical abuse
  • Observing violence
  • Having a loved one commit suicide or attempt to do so
  • Living with a person with a drug or alcohol addiction
  • Living with someone who has an undiagnosed mental health disorder
  • Being taken away from parents or family members
  • Food or housing insecurity

The detrimental repercussions of these events can stick with you throughout life. Even when you have a more stable, safer life in your adult years, the fear and damage inflicted by ACEs may lead to psychiatric illnesses.

Chronic Medical Conditions

Enduring and trying to manage a chronic, life-endangering medical issue will be hard on you. It may be frightening, frustrating, and draining. So, it isn’t surprising that people enduring chronic medical conditions are at an elevated risk for mental disorders, as well. If you’re grappling with consistent anxiety or symptoms of depression as part of a lifelong illness, this might be a logical rationale.

Alcohol Or Drug Use

Alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs all have potent chemicals that impact your thoughts and feelings. That’s the reason why people use these mind-altering substances and why they foster substance use disorders. But these chemicals could alter your neural pathways, causing issues that last even once the substance is gone. When your brain is modified like this, it may precipitate mental illness.

Social Isolation

Humans are social creatures. Even private people need a little human connection to thrive. If you endure a mostly isolated life with a limited number of fulfilling relationships or interactions with others, it will influence your mental health.

Chemical Imbalances

Our physical, emotional, and mental health are all tied to chemicals located in our bodies. If those chemicals get out of balance for whatever reason, we might feel detrimental effects. If there’s no apparent cause of your psychiatric disorder, it could be that the brain chemicals that regulate your emotions are out of balance. Aspects like genetics and your way of life might precipitate these imbalances, but most frequently, physicians don’t know why someone is undergoing this widespread cause of mental health disorders near Freehold.

Why Does The Cause Of Mental Disorders Make A Difference?

Why does the cause of your mental disorder make a difference? You may never determine the irrefutable cause of your condition, but these factors may help you get a good idea of what it is. From there, you and your medical provider will have less trouble determining how to address your disorder. For example, some prescriptions may help with chemical imbalances, and therapy might be best to help you work past childhood experiences.

Understanding potential causes of mental health disorders can also assist you in making required lifestyle changes to help you steer clear of other disorders. You might also feel less alone knowing other individuals are going through similar situations.

Get More Information About Mental Health Disorders And Treatment

The Counseling Center At Freehold is your local resource for mental health treatment. We supply professional outpatient care when you need help diagnosing or managing a psychiatric disorder. Call 732-515-4187 today or send in the form on this page, and we’ll reply promptly to discuss your mental health situation.