Most (if not all) forms of mental distress are extreme versions of feelings and behaviour which most of us experience. When someone has feelings they can be disturbing or unacceptable to ourselves or others and they may be mentally distressed.

Someone whose behaviour suddenly changes or is causing concern as to their well being and safety, maybe suffering from mental health problems.

What causes mental health problems?

The opinions as to what causes mental health problems vary a lot. Some possible causes are:

• Family background– if someone felt uncared for – or was abused – they can be left feeling insecure and become vulnerable to mental distress.
• Suppression of feelings– In our society we don’t often express feelings – if we bottle things up this may lead to physical and mental ill health.
• Stressful live eventssuch as bereavement of suffering oppression.
• Bio-chemistry– our bodies can affect our minds – for example if we are frightened we produce a hormone called adrenaline – if this is not used up our minds are left over active and our bodies tense.
• Genes– these determine some of the characteristics that are passed on by our parents, e.g. hair colour. It is possible that it can also affect our personalities – there may be genes which cause mental health problems. Although a lot of research has been done on this nothing has been proved.

Diagnoses

Psychiatrists use lots of diagnoses – the best known ones are depression, anxiety and phobias. Phobias are fears of objects or situations which most people can cope with, without too much anxiety, such as claustrophobia – which is a fear of enclosed spaces, or agoraphobia – which is a fear of open spaces and/or of being away from the security of the home.

Dramatic disturbance in thoughts, feelings and behaviour, which may appear bizarre to others, may be classified as psychosis.

FURTHER INFORMATION on any of the above can be obtained by contacting Lawton Tonge House.