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Factors Influencing the Development of Psychopathology
Introduction
The term psychopathology was coined by German psychiatrist Hermann Emminghaus in 1879. It refers to the scientific study of abnormal mental states or mental illnesses/disorders (Schultze-Lutter, Schmidt, & Theodoridou, 2018). Psychopathology describes the symptoms, causes, development, and treatment of various mental disorders. The development of psychopathology involves various biological, psychological, and social factors discussed in this essay.
Biological Factors Influencing the Development of Psychopathology
Biological factors such as including genetics and neurobiology are highly implicated in the development of various mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. Research indicates that some mental disorders involve specific brain structures. For instance, overactivity in the Brodmann Area 25 (BA25) often manifests in individuals with depression. BA25 is a part of the brain that acts as a “junction box†that interacts with other areas of the brain involved in emotion, thinking, and mood through neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Overactivity in the BA25 region causes an increased negative effect (anxiety, sadness) and a reduced positive effect (joy, happiness). Additionally, hormones and neurotransmitters play an important role in the development of psychopathology. Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending chemical signals between neurons. In case the level of neurotransmitters in the brain is out of balance, the chemical communication between neurons is disrupted, leading to the development of symptoms associated with various mental health disorders. For instance, an increase in dopamine activity in certain brain areas is associated with the development of schizophrenia. The brain also uses hormones to communicate and hormone imbalance can lead to the development of symptoms associated with mental health disorders. For instance, elevated cortisol levels are associated with an increased risk of depression since they alter the functioning of serotonin receptors.
Genetics has long been implicated in the development of various psychological disorders. Familial and twin studies have shown that conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, anxiety, and depression run in families (Smoller, et al., 2020). The heritability of anxiety and depressive disorders is estimated to be between 20% to 45%. The rate is higher for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (up to 75%). Various genetic variations or mutations are associated with the development of psychological disorders. For instance, a variation in the CACNA1C gene has been linked to disorders such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Mutations in genes such as CHD8, GRIN2B, SHANK3, and SCN2A are associated with autism spectrum disorder (Smoller, et al., 2020). However, studies indicate that most psychiatric conditions are highly polygenic and involve abnormalities in multiple genes.
Psychological Factors Influencing the Development of Psychopathology
Psychological factors play an important role in the development of psychopathology. For instance, factors such as childhood neglect and early childhood trauma are associated with a higher likelihood of developing PTSD and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression (Remes, Mendes, & Templeton, 2021). Psychological factors such as underlying beliefs, attitudes, emotional attachments, motivations, and coping mechanisms can also influence mental health. A person’s underlying beliefs, expectations, and assumptions about the world contribute to the development of psychopathology by giving rise to certain emotions in response to stressful life events. These emotions drive behavior and lead to undesirable consequences that further deteriorate a person’s mental health. Psychological attachments are considered to significantly influence psychopathology. Emotional attachment to someone or something can disrupt mental health in case the attachment is disrupted. This disruption influences how the brain develops and affects vulnerability to various mental health conditions. In adulthood, ongoing stress or traumatic life events increase the risk of developing mental health conditions. Issues such as failed relationships, domestic violence, social isolation, and financial burdens can have a huge impact on mental health.
Social, Cultural, and Interpersonal Factors Influencing the Development of Psychopathology
Social factors are conditions in the environment where a person is born, lives, learns, works, or plays. These factors have a huge influence on the development of psychopathology. Social support is an essential factor that can significantly affect mental health. Having a strong social support system can help individuals cope with stress and depression (Remes, Mendes, & Templeton, 2021). On the other hand, lack of a social support or meaningful connections can lead to development of mental illnesses, especially anxiety and depression. Some social expectations such as those surrounding beauty standards and life achievements can lead to the development of conditions such as mood disorders and eating disorders. Culture is also highly implicated in the development of psychopathology. For instance, some cultural norms promote stigmatization of individuals with certain mental health conditions, consequently discouraging individuals from seeking help. Failure to seek help can exacerbate mental health conditions. In fact, some psychiatric conditions such as bipolar I disorder require hospitalization during manic episodes.
Interpersonal factors refer to peer interactions, friendships, romantic relationships, and familial connections. Interactions with peers especially during childhood and adolescence can influence the development of mental health conditions. For instance, negative childhood experiences such as bullying, victimization, and social rejection can cause mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Similarly, being in unhealthy or abusive romantic relationships is associated with a higher likelihood of developing psychopathology.
Conclusion
The development of psychopathology involves an interplay of various biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. Research indicates that a majority of mental health illnesses are hereditable. Various gene mutations and variations have also been associated with the development of psychopathology. Psychological factors such as life experiences and emotional attachments are predictors of mental health illnesses. How people deal with stressful events also influences the development of psychopathology. A person’s environment can dictate whether they develop mental health illnesses. Understanding how all these factors influence mental health is critical in developing effective interventions.
References
Remes, O., Mendes, J. F., & Templeton, P. (2021, December 10). Biological, Psychological, and Social Determinants of Depression: A Review of Recent Literature. National Library of Medicine. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fbrainsci11121633
Schultze-Lutter, F., Schmidt, S. J., & Theodoridou, A. (2018, September 19). Psychopathology—a Precision Tool in Need of Re-sharpening. Frontiers in Psychiatry. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2018.00446
Smoller, J. W., Andreassen, O. A., Edenberg, H. J., Faraone, S. V., Glatt, S. J., & Kendler, K. S. (2020, March 1). Psychiatric Genetics and the Structure of Psychopathology. PubMed Central. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fs41380-017-0010-4
