CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS.pptx

This presentation guides on the various causes of mental illness

1. CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS Owondo Thomas Bwindi Community Hospital © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

2. Introduction The exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known however, research has it that most of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS According to nature; Biological factors. Environmental factors. Psychological factors. B. According to the effect (4Ps); Predisposing factors. Precipitating factors. Perpetuating (maintaining) factors. Protecting factors. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

4. 1. Biological factors Biochemical changes . Some mental illnesses have been linked to an abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body.  They relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons .” Examples include; Dopamine, Noradrenalin, Serotonin, Gama Amino Butyric Acid (GABA ). 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. It is thought that when these transmitters are reduced or too much in the synaptic cleft, a mental illness results. This may also result from a quick destruction of the transmitter or impaired reabsorption of the same. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

5. Biological factors cont.. Genetic (heredity). Mental illnesses sometimes run in families, suggesting that people who have a family member with a mental illness may be somewhat more likely to develop one themselves. Susceptibility is passed on in families through genes. This factor alone does not lead to someone developing a mental illness. It has to be in combination with other causal factors for some one to break down with mental illness. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

6. Biological factors cont…. Change in structure of the brain and diseases of the brain: Defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental conditions . This is caused by the following: Infections e.g. Encephalitis, cerebral malaria. Poor blood supply Tumors Nutritional deficiencies Head injury Prenatal damage e.g. trauma at birth . Substance abuse e.g. alcohol, marijuana etc. Exposure to toxins e.g. lead.

7. 2. Psychological factors (Your Psychological state) . Coping with past or current traumatic experiences such as abuse, bereavement or divorce will strongly influence an individual’s mental and emotional state which can in turn have an influence on mental health. These may include; Severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Witnessing a traumatic event e.g accident, rape. Learning that a traumatic event occurred to person close to you An important early loss, such as the loss of a parent Neglect © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

8. 3. Environmental factors (Factors around us) . Where someone lives and their living conditions along with family and community support networks can play a part along with employment status and work stresses . Factors such as socioeconomic status, culture, technology, and religion can predispose one to mental illness. Certain stressors can trigger an illness in a person who is susceptible to mental illness. These stressors include : Death or divorce or ending a romantic relationship. A dysfunctional family life. Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem , anger, or loneliness. Changing jobs or schools. Social or cultural expectations (E.g. a society that associates beauty  with thinness can be a factor in the development of eating disorders.) Substance abuse by the person or the person's parents.

9. 4. General medical conditions. Mental illness can be caused by other physical conditions; Chronic Medical illness Depression High fever Acute confusion Thyroid disease Anxiety Hepatitis Depression HIV/ AIDS Depression Psychosis Dementia © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

10. 5. Medications Certain drugs used for treatment of illness may cause mental illness as a side effect. HAART e.g. nevirapine can cause psychosis. Certain anti hypertensive drugs can cause depression. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

11. 6. Idiopathic In most cases the cause of the mental illness may not be established and remains unknown. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

12. B. According to the effect (4Ps) Predisposing factors ; Factors operating from early life, that determine a person’s vulnerability to causes acting close to the time of illness . e.g. genetic, personality, Social & psychological factors in infancy & early childhood, Trauma at birth, Environment in utero . Precipitating (triggering) factors ; Events that occur shortly before the onset of a disorder and appear to have induced it . e.g. defaulting Rx, Physical disease, Loss of job, Alcohol and drug abuse. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

13. B. According to the effect (4Ps) Perpetuating ( maintaining) factors ; These factors prolong the course of a disorder after it has been provoked. e.g . no home, no relative, being a street kid, difficult spouse, boss or children, Highly expressed emotion (HEE) by parents, no medication. Protective factors ; These factors prevent the person from breaking down or relapsing. They include religion , marriage, loving family members, job, etc. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

14. Note The person may be affected by some of the above causal factors during uterine life. Mental illness is caused by a variety of factors. Both biological and environmental factors together play a significant role in causing a mental illness. More than one factor is necessary for some one to develop a mental illness. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved.

15. © 2018 Thomas Owondo. All rights reserved. ANY QUESTIONS