CAUSUAL FACTORS AND SYMPTOMATALOGY

A necessary cause is a condition that must be there for a disorder to occur

A sufficient cause is a condition that guarantees the occurrence of a disorder

A contributory cause is one that increases the probability of developing a disorder.

Predisposing factors determine the vulnerability to other causes that act close to the time of the
illness. Many predisposing factors act early in life, for example, genetic endowment, the environment
in utero, trauma at birth, and social and psychological factors in infancy and childhood.

Precipitating factors are events that occur shortly before the onset of a disorder and appear to have
induced it. They may be physical, psychological, or social. Physical precipitating factors include
diseases such as cerebral tumour, traumatic brain injury that is caused by accidents, and the effects
of drugs taken for treatment or used illegally

Perpetuating factors (or maintaining factors) prolong a disorder after it has begun. Sometimes a
feature of a disorder makes itself perpetuating

BIOLOGICAL CAUSES

The biological viewpoint focuses on mental disorders as diseases whose primary symptoms are
behavioural or cognitive although their causes are biological or physiological as against the physical
illnesses where the cause and symptoms are purely physical. According to this view, mental disorders
are seen as disorders of the central nervous system and thus are sometimes inherited or caused by
some medical factors like injuries or physical diseases. Psychological or environmental factors are not
considered to cause these disorders. We will discuss ‘five’ of the most important categories of
biological factors that seem to be responsible for maladaptive behaviour. These are given below:

• Neurotransmitter and Hormonal imbalances in the brain, • Genetics, • Constitutional liabilities,

• Brain structure, Etiology of Psychopathology • Physical deprivation or disruption.

HORMONES

Hormonal imbalances can have a significant impact on mental health 1. Hormones are
chemical messengers that regulate various bodily functions, including mood and
behavior 1. Almost all hormones affect mood, emotions, and mental health in one way or
another 1.
For example, depression has been linked to hormonal imbalances such as low levels of
serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine 1. Similarly, anxiety has been linked to hormonal
imbalances such as low levels of GABA 1. Hormonal imbalances can also contribute to other
mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, chronic stress, irritability, mood
swings, and insomnia

BRAIN STRUCTURE

Several studies have linked brain structure abnormalities to mental health conditions such
as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia 34. For example,
the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex are areas in the brain that are implicated in the
stress response 4. High activity in the amygdala shows increased activity in brain scans, which is
characteristic of depression and other mental health diagnoses
Physical Deprivation or Disruption The most basic human requirements are those of food, water,
oxygen, sleep and elimination of wastes. Insufficient rest, inadequate diet or working too hard when
ill, can all interfere with a person’s ability to cope and might predispose him or her to a variety of
problems.