Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems

This week we’ve been talking about the activities and behaviors that make for good mental health (see our July 13 and 15, 2009 posts). Throughout our lives, many forces shape our emotional well-being, both internal and external. Particular events in our lives, genetic and biological factors, and childhood experiences impact our ability to develop and maintain good mental health. And sometimes life throws us a curve ball and a combination of stressful events can overburden our ability to cope emotionally, triggering anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions.

Researchers have found specific risk factors that can impact mental health. Some, like unaddressed childhood issues, slowly chip away at our ability to cope with life’s problems, creating difficulties years after the actual events took place. Others, like the death of a parent, child or spouse, overwhelm our defenses by the sheer enormity of the event and its impact on our life. Being aware of the following potential risk factors can help us maintain good mental health:

• Lack of connection to a primary caretaker during childhood can have lifelong repercussions. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, confusion, lack of safety or abuse felt as a child can negatively color our behavior into adulthood.
• Serious trauma, death of a parent, war, hospitalization, tragic accidents and other devastating events, particularly during early childhood, can have a  traumatic effect on emotional development.
• Learned helplessness can undermine our faith in our ability to cope with life’s problems. Negative experiences or comments can undermine our confidence in our ability to exert control over our life.
• Chronic or disabling illness can isolate you from other people, denying you the necessary social support of friends and family.
• Medication side effects can affect mental health, particularly in the elderly who generally take multiple medications, creating the potential for problematic drug interactions.
• Alcohol and drug abuse can both cause and exacerbate preexisting mental health problems. Substance abuse can serve as a trigger for latent emotional conditions.

The risk factors that negatively impact our mental health can be counteracted by supportive relationships, a healthy lifestyle, stress management techniques and emotional coping strategies. You may need professional psychiatric help to regain good mental health, but you can improve your psychological well-being. If efforts to improve your mental health have been unsuccessful, it’s time to see a professional psychiatrist and get the help you need.