For many people, it can feel as if the symptoms of mental illness just sprung up without rhyme or reason. We may begin feeling more anxious than normal, more depressed about our lives or more paranoid about seeing friends or family. Before, there never seemed to be an issue – so why does all of this seem to be happening now? While it may feel as though mental illness simply came “out of the blue,” the reality is that there’s always a starting point for things like this. Let’s take a look at some potential causes for the development of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, phobias and more: If someone in your family has been diagnosed with a mental illness, the odds that you will develop one increase. First-degree relatives – such as your parents, siblings and children are the best sources of information, followed by your second-degree relatives, such as your nieces and nephews, half-brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc. Our lifestyle both growing up and as adults can determine our risk for developing a mental illness at some point in our lives. Some of these environmental risk factors can include but are not limited to: smoking, sleep deprivation, pollution, exposure to toxins during childhood, extreme weather conditions, hazardous work conditions and more. Other environmental factors could involve people – such as the early loss of a parent, poverty, social stigma, and more. Traumatic events can have a significant impact on a person’s livelihood, and sometimes this can lead to the development of mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some cases, addiction can bring out symptoms that cause a person to develop a mental illness. When this happens, a person then has two conditions to treat, often called a co-occurring disorder.
At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor, you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.