Mental illness is a general term that is used to describe a wide range of mental health conditions. Mental illness can cause a person to experience a wide range of symptoms, which can vary in severity. Mental illness can be caused by a variety of factors, including: biology (genetics and brain chemistry), psychological factors (trauma and stress), and social factors (poverty and social isolation). Mental illness is often treatable with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
Social isolation or loneliness
People who live in isolation often have difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships. This can be due to a number of reasons, including social anxiety, introversion, or simply not having access to others who share similar interests. Whatever the reason, isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and despair which can worsen existing mental health conditions or trigger new ones.
Loneliness has been linked with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicide. A lack of social support can also make it more difficult for people to cope with stress and adversity. In fact, research has shown that lonely individuals are more likely to experience negative emotions such as anger and fear, and they are also less likely to experience positive emotions such as happiness and joy.
Isolation doesn’t just affect our mental health; it can also take a toll on our physical health. Studies have shown that lonely people are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other chronic health conditions. They are also at greater risk for developing dementia later in life.
So what can we do about this problem? If you’re feeling isolated or lonely, reach out to family and friends or join a support group or community organization where you can interact with others who understand what you’re going through. Taking these steps can help you feel connected and supported which may reduce your symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
Experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism
Discrimination and stigma are two of the most common experiences for people with mental illness. Racism is a form of discrimination that can be especially harmful to mental health.
Mental illness is often misunderstood and people who experience it can face discrimination in many areas of their lives. This includes at work, in housing, when accessing healthcare, and in their relationships with family and friends. Discrimination can make it harder to find and keep a job, get adequate housing, or access quality healthcare. It can also lead to social isolation and make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships.
Racism is a particular form of discrimination that targets people based on their skin color or ethnicity. People of color are more likely to experience racism in its various forms, including individual racism (e.g., racial slurs), institutional racism (e.g., unequal access to education, employment, and housing), and structural racism (e.g., segregation).
Racism can have a profound impact on mental health. Studies have shown that experiencing racism is associated with increased risk for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and other mental health problems. Racism can also worsen existing mental health conditions by increasing stress levels and making it more difficult to manage symptoms effectively.
Social disadvantage, poverty or debt
Mental illness can be caused by social disadvantage, poverty or debt. These factors can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair and isolation. Mental illness can also be caused by genetic factors, brain chemistry or trauma.
Bereavement (losing someone close to you)
Bereavement is a deeply painful and difficult experience. The death of someone close to us can trigger a range of intense emotions, from sadness and desperation to anger and guilt. In the face of such overwhelming grief, it can be hard to cope with everyday life.
For many people, the grieving process is a gradual one that happens over time. As we gradually come to terms with our loss, our emotions may ebb and flow, sometimes feeling more manageable and at other times feeling completely out of control. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to grieve – everyone experiences it differently.
However, for some people, the pain of bereavement doesn’t go away or gets worse over time instead of better. If you find yourself struggling to cope with your loss and it’s impacting your ability to function in daily life (for example, you’re unable to work or take care of yourself), then you may be experiencing complicated grief. This is a type of prolonged grief disorder which requires professional help from a GP or counsellor/therapist.
There are also other types of mental illness that can be triggered by bereavement, such as depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can make grieving much harder to deal with and may require treatment from a mental health professional in order for you to recover.
If you’re struggling to cope with your grief, don’t suffer in silence – talk to your GP about how you’re feeling and they can signpost you towards appropriate support. There are also many charities that offer specialist bereavement support services, so there is help available if you need it.
Severe or long-term stress
Severe or long-term stress can cause mental illness. Stress can come from any number of sources, including work, relationships, finances, and health problems. When someone is under a lot of stress, it can start to take a toll on their mental health. They may become more anxious, irritable, and have difficulty sleeping. If the stress is not relieved, it can lead to depression or other mental illnesses.
Having a long-term physical health condition
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about one in five adults in the United States (18.5%) experiences some form of mental illness in a given year. Of these, around 4% live with a serious mental illness, such as major depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
A long-term physical health condition can be both a cause and a consequence of mental illness. People with chronic physical health problems are more likely to develop psychological difficulties than those without such problems. For example, research has shown that people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing depression.
People with chronic physical health conditions often have to cope with pain, fatigue and other symptoms that can impact on their mood and sense of wellbeing. They may also have to deal with financial stressors related to their condition, such as the cost of medication or treatment. All of these factors can contribute to the development of mental illness.