Can't environmental factors cause a person to be depressed rather than just mental illness?

Answer 1

Oh yes, and in an almost infinite number of ways. Lots of people get really sad on a gloomy day. Seasonal affective disorder, of course. The lack of sunlight contributes to depression in a lot of people. And who doesn't get down when they're not feeling well physically- like when they have really bad sinus problems from things in bloom. Talk to some man when he's finally got those perfect tickets for the game and then the game gets rained out!

Depression is only termed a mental "illness" when it's chronic and has no clear cause. Otherwise it is situational or normal depression, and environmental causes would fall into this category. Of course, depressive episodes can be triggered for someone with a mental illness. I know, I'm bipolar and for me it often works that way. I'll be doing OK for awhile and some event will happen to trigger me getting all excited and before I recognize it I'll be into a manic phase. The same when I get a discouraged feeling because things just are not going well- and before long it can become "clinically" a depressive episode. Because I'm bipolar, I just don't pull out of it like "normal" people. When I was on different meds, I used to adjust the dosage depending on my mood. (I worked in the mental health field and my psychiatrist always knew what I was doing- I don't suggest that just anyone can adjust their own dosages.)

Answer 2

Bi-polar is hereditary (it can also be made a lot worse by environmental factors). Both my mother and father are. I am Bi-polar my brother is not. It can also be diagnose at a young age but it much harder and children can't take the meds till at least 12 to 15 years of age, one of my children where diagnose with it at 6 years old. A lot of Doctors can misdiagnose this as something else, depression and other such mental health stuff. Some of the meds the use for people are very powerful and can cause health issues. Some can destroy your liver, others can have some bad side effects. I took meds for it for a little over 2 years before my Doctor pulled me off all meds. Since some of the meds are for chemical in balances, you may not revert back to the way you where before you started taking meds. The med I was on did not give me the chemical but rather jump started my brain to make the chemical. I am still considered bi-polor, but I am no longer as bad as I was.

Answer 3

Good question? Yes there are several environmental factors or even toxins like lead, that can cause mental illness. Even physical illness like typhoid can mimic mental illness. Colours and smells affect us, and even being in the company you keep can cause depression. A depressed person 'almost sucks' out the energy of others. What you eat and how much/what kind of light also affects us. One person I heard about getting affected by the shower's water. Watching depressing videos or movies or reading sad books also affects us. But good to take control of what you can in your environment so you are not just a victim.

Answer 4

Sure can. The differences between depression caused by environmental factors and clinical depression are subtle. The best way to tell exactly what is going on is to talk to your MD, ask to see a mental health professional. With either type of depression, it's best to seek help.

Answer 5

Yes! Look up Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Answer 6

Yes, I have been suffering from environmental depression since Hurricane Katrina, they are calling it Katrina Syndrome!!

Answer 7

Yes...my father has seasonal affective disorder. He's totally depressed in the winter months, but fine & dandy come spring & summer.

Answer 8

yes it can. If the weather has been really bad for a few days, the lack of stimuli will reduce the amount of NT's (neurotransmitters) that and other chemicals that help improve ones mind and attitude.

Answer 9

Yes!

Answer 10

hell yeah it can. Look at Iraq, that place drives people crazy!