Can you develop mental illnesses

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness.

Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being. Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes , heart disease , and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness. When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health could be impacted.

For example, if someone is working long hours, caring for a relative, or experiencing economic hardship, they may experience poor mental health. There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as.

People can experience different types of mental illnesses or disorders, and they can often occur at the same time. Mental illnesses can occur over a short period of time or be episodic. Mental Health Foundation. There are a number of different claims regarding the age at which most people with a mental health condition begin to develop it. These particular claims are based on two different studies, one looking at a group of New Zealanders over the first decades of their lives and the other an American study interviewing people about when they first developed their mental health condition.

This is based on a study by researchers based in Dunedin, New Zealand. It examined around 1, people born in the town in and They said that while the proportion of people suffering from mental health conditions was similar to other studies carried out in the USA, other studies should be carried out in other parts of the world. And finally, not all mental health conditions were considered by the study. It left out a number of conditions including somatic disorders, sexual disorders, and cognitive impairments.

Another study conducted at the University of Michigan between and interviewed English-speaking Americans over the age of They were asked questions in order to diagnose whether they had any mental health conditions and also to find out about any possible risk factors they had. Turn on more accessible mode.

Turn off more accessible mode. Skip Ribbon Commands. Skip to main content. Turn off Animations. Turn on Animations. Our Sponsors Log in Register. Log in Register. Ages and Stages. Healthy Living. Safety and Prevention. Family Life. Health Issues. Tips and Tools. Our Mission. Find a Pediatrician. Text Size. Inheriting Mental Disorders. Page Content. Diagnosing Mental Disorders Doctors diagnose mental disorders based on the signs and symptoms of the individual patient.

What does it mean if a mental disorder seems to run in my family? Causes of Mental Disorders Most mental disorders are caused by a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors.