Biological Mental Health

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“Mental illnesses are usually caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors”. Discuss with reference to at least two different mental illnesses.
Mental illness is an issue that is described by unsettling influences in an individuals, feelings, or conduct. Dysfunctional behavior alludes to a wide mixture of factors, going from those that cause gentle misery to those that weaken an individual’s capacity in every day life. The biological viewpoint sees emotional sickness as a substantial procedure. Where as the mental viewpoints think that part of an individual’s childhood and environment are foundations for maladjustments. All in all, what really constitutes an emotional sickness and in what manner can one characterize …show more content…

There are many mental health conditions that are associated with mental illness’s and studies have been carried out in order to determine whether there is a connection between an individuals biological factors, environmental factors and psychological factors in the formation of a mental disorder.
Mental illnesses can be present in many different forms such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors. In this essay I will be focusing on eating disorders and depression and will explore whether such mental illnesses resultant of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can be characterized, as ones need to control their food consumption or change their shape to a compelling level that does not conform to that of the ordinary level. Eating disorders can develop at any stage of an individual’s life although they are more prevalent during the teen years and young adulthood.
The three forms of eating disorders include:
Anorexia Nervosa – This condition is compliant with ones inability to accept that they are to a great degree underweight and rather the individuals see themselves as being overweight. They perceive a distorted body image and so they refuse to eat and exercise …show more content…

Major depression is a mood disorder illustrative of depression in which an individual’s lifestyle and experiences are compromised. People who are depressed are characterized by emotional, motivational, physiological and cognitive problems. They experience low moods, become secluded and are unmotivated to perform tasks common with that of the norm.
About 5% of the European population will be clinically depressed at any one time (Paykel et al. 2005). Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than are men and this is consistent across cultures. Depression is very common and is referred to as the ‘common cold’ of mental health.
Theories suggested to explain this are, hormonal imbalance, gender roles. Different cultures have built in norms, which may be difficult to surpass. Also the level of support individuals receive from their social network may vary.
Biological Factors that may lead to depression is the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine found are believed to be associated with depression if such neurotransmitters are imbalanced.
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