Causes

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This page gives information on some possible causes of mental health problems. Although this page has been written with children’s issues in mind, all the causes may also affect adults. However, it is certainly not the case that going through one of these experiences will necessarily lead to mental health problems.

Bereavement Long term illness Stress Family break up Abuse Bullying

Bereavement

If someone close dies everyone is affected, but with young children it is often harder to understand. If the child is young they may not understand the concept of death, and think that the loved one will just come back tomorrow. Older children who do understand death better may not be able to express their grief, and may have outbursts of anger or crying at odd intervals. This is a normal reaction for a time after the death, but should it carry on for a long time it may affect the child's development.

Prolonged grieving can lead to

Anxiety
Depression or bipolar disorder

Dissociative disorders
Post traumatic stree disorder
Schizophrenia

Long term illness

Whether it is the child themselves being ill, or a close family member, long term illness will put a lot of strain on a family. This is most likely to show through in the child, probably through their behaviour.

It can lead to

ADHD
Anxiety, phobias
Depression or bipolar disorder
Eating disorders, including anorexia
Obsessive compulsive disorder

Stress

Stress is more commonly a cause of mental illness in older children - particularly around the exam periods, and as more and more exams are introduced into our education system stress in young people is becoming more frequent. It can also be cause by life events - a divorce, illness or death can put a lot of strain on a family causing stress to all members.

It can lead to

Depression
Eating disorders and anorexia
Obsessive compulsive disorder

Family break up

The break up of a family can be traumatic event, particularly to young children who cannot understand why it is happening. Events leading up to a separation can also affect the child - if there is arguing or violence, for example.

It can lead to

ADHD
Anxiety
Depression or bipolar disorder
Dissociative disorders
Eating problems

In addition to these causes, more specific detail can be found on the pages about abuse and bullying.

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