One of the challenges in the treatment of Mental Health Disorders is understanding the origin and root cause of the specific disorder. There are countless factors—including genetics, environmental circumstances, psychological symptoms and conditions, and other Mental Health Disorders—influencing the development or worsening of one’s Mental Health Condition.
This is particularly true of Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders, which are among the most common Mental Health Disorders. These conditions can stem from any number of factors and influences, making it difficult to identify the root causes behind a patient’s Mental Health Disorder.
However, with an understanding of the most common variables, risk factors, and other circumstances that can influence Mental Health, Licensed Clinical Psychologists work closely with clients to identify the influences at play in their lives. This information then impacts the development of individual, evidence-based treatment plans. Learn more about the common factors that contribute to Depression and Anxiety with this overview.
Family History of Mental Health Disorders
Family history and genetics play a role in the development of many Mental Health Disorders. While there is no specific gene that causes Depressive Disorders or Anxiety Disorders, a genetic predisposition to these Mental Health Conditions can pass from parent to child. Therefore, individuals whose blood relatives have Depressive Disorders or Anxiety Disorders are more likely to develop one more of these disorders themselves.
It is important to note that genetics are not the only risk factor at play here. Learned behavior, childhood experiences, and other psychological factors can stem from growing up around family members with Depression or Anxiety.
Traumatic Experiences
Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety are all closely intertwined. Traumatic experiences—such as witnessing or experiencing violent crimes, natural disasters, or abuse—take a significant toll on your Mental Health. They alter your ability to regulate emotions and maintain positive, productive thought patterns. They also hinder stress management, which can cause further problems for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Unaddressed trauma creates a persistent source of stress, worry, and fear in your life. These negative emotions can feed into anxiety and depression, eventually leading to the development or worsening of Anxiety Disorders and Depressive Disorders. Trauma is also a risk factor for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—a form of Anxiety Disorder.
Life Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but persistent and overwhelming stress—combined with poor stress management—can lead to Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Major life changes can contribute to this stress, even if they are positive changes. Changing jobs, moving, starting or earning a degree, getting married, and starting a family can all contribute to extreme stress.
Without professional intervention from a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, this stress becomes overwhelming and can lead to maladaptive behaviors such as isolation, substance abuse, aggression, irritability, and more. All these factors can lead to or exacerbate Depression and Anxiety.
Grief and Loss
Grief is another common factor that can contribute to Depression and Anxiety. When many people think of grief and loss, they think of death and the loss of a loved one. However, it is important to remember that grief can also stem from major life changes, such as the end of a relationship, a big move, career changes, and so on.
These changes disrupt your life and have a lasting impact on your mental and emotional well-being. They can involve stress or even trauma, which in turn contributes to the development of Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. The loss, sadness, and helplessness of grief can often become overwhelming and lead to feelings of depression. Meanwhile, major life disruptions can leave you feeling afraid, uncertain, and unstable, leading to feelings of anxiety.
Physical Medical Issues
Physical health and Mental Health go hand in hand. Ongoing physical health problems—including chronic pain, heart problems, cancer, and other long-term conditions—act as a source of stress, worry, and frustration. Furthermore, the physical symptoms of these conditions can create ongoing pain, fatigue, and other factors that wear down your Mental Health over time.
Grief can also tie physical health to Mental Health Disorders. If your physical health condition disrupts your routine and prevents you from doing things you once enjoyed, you might find yourself mourning the way your life once was. This grief can lead to overwhelming feelings of sadness, helplessness, or numbness—which can contribute to the development of a Depressive Disorder.
Personality Types and Existing Thought Patterns
The way you process thoughts and emotions plays a major role in your Mental Health. Negative thought patterns make it difficult to process challenging experiences in a healthy and productive manner. For example, if something bad happens to you, you might have a habit of directing blame or feeling ashamed instead of accepting the experience and moving forward. These negative thought patterns make you more susceptible to Mental Health Disorders such as Depression and Anxiety.
The way your mind works affects your thought patterns and your ability to regulate your emotions. This also ties into certain personality types. For example, perfectionists deal with imperfect situations with greater levels of stress and worry. They struggle to handle unexpected obstacles, last-minute changes, or less-than-perfect results. This mindset creates added pressure and stress, which can influence the development of Anxiety Disorders.
Another example is people with a more negative self-image. They tend to be harder on themselves when they face challenges or make mistakes. This negative self-image leads to overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt, and self-hatred, which in turn can further damage self-image and contribute to the development of Depressive Disorders.
The Link Between Depression and Anxiety
Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders can also contribute to each other. The feelings of stress, tension, dread, and worry associated with Anxiety can also be symptoms of a Depressive Disorder, while feelings of sadness, helplessness, and numbness can occur as a result of Anxiety Disorders.
The comorbidity of Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders worsens the symptoms of each, leading to more severe and dangerous Mental Health Conditions. These disorders can also lead to additional comorbidities with Mental Health Conditions such as Substance Abuse Disorders and other Addiction Disorders.
Effective Mental Health Treatment at Blair Wellness Group
Every case of Depression and Anxiety is unique, which means it calls for specialized treatment that tailors evidence-based methods to a client’s specific needs and experiences. If you are looking for effective treatment from a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, turn to Blair Wellness Group. Book your appointment with a Depression Therapist in Los Angeles, Irvine, Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Bel Air, Century City, Brentwood, Westwood, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, or the surrounding areas to see how our evidence-based treatment plans can help you.
