Most adults are under the impression that they are past the point of worrying about any type of mental disorder or illness that could disrupt their life. They think that seeking help at a psychiatric unit is just for those who “want a vacation”. However, people who believe this statement live under false pretences. There are many types of mental disorders – some of which are still being discovered – that could affect an adult and derail their life. As a result, mental health awareness should be prioritised by adults.
We live in a time where the average adult is under immense levels of stress from both personal and professional elements. These stress levels can lead to anxiety, depression, drug abuse, habitual addiction, or the development of a mental disorder that stems from any of these emotional or behavioural experiences. Today, we talk about the causes of mental illnesses that could develop in adults, and why you should seek professional treatment when dealing with such an illness.
How Can a Mental Illness Develop in Adults?
- Genetic Predisposition: Genetics play a pivotal role in a person’s physical and psychological composition. If you have a family history of mental illness, the risk of developing similar disorders is increased for you. In some cases, these mental disorders will only manifest during adulthood. Since adults are exposed to a wider variety of negative elements that could influence their thinking patterns and disrupt their daily routines, a genetic disposition will only contribute to the development of a mental illness over time. If you find yourself in such a position, you should always keep a professional psychiatric unit in mind as a treatment solution.
- An Abusive Environment: Adults will consistently experience mental and emotional abuse when they live in an abusive environment. This can imply being under overwhelming levels of stress at work or home, being in an abusive relationship, or experiencing soul-crushing levels of depression and/or anxiety. Such an environment can lead to individuals taking drastic steps to either avoid or break free from it all. However, seeking professional treatment solutions at a psychiatric unit can be your way out.
- Medical Diagnosis: Adults are constantly diagnosed with chronic or terminal physical illnesses. Such diseases include autoimmune diseases such as MS or Lupus, genetically inherited diseases, and one of the most common diagnoses, cancer. Being diagnosed with such an illness tends to flip an individual’s life upside down, as they are forced to make changes in their lifestyle that they do not want to make on their own accord. In turn, these changes can leave the individual feeling trapped inside a proverbial prison, which can lead to the development of a mental disorder. If you relate to this scenario, we recommend seeking immediate and professional treatment solutions at a psychiatric unit.
- Coping Mechanisms: Most adults seek ways to cope with the daily stress and constant strain of their professional and personal life. For most, alcohol seems like the go-to drug – consuming alcoholic beverages to “numb the pain” and “forget about their worries”. Others develop destructive behavioural patterns to chase similar outcomes. In the end, it comes down to having that dopamine and serotonin release – where your brain rewards you for “achieving” something. This can lead to behavioural addiction, substance addiction, and a plethora of potential mental illnesses that go along with these forms of addiction. If you want to break such a cycle, you can achieve that by seeking treatment at a professional psychiatric unit.
- Experiencing Traumatic or Life-Changing Events: Adults who experienced a traumatic or life-changing event are susceptible to develop PTSD. This is a common and very dangerous mental disorder. It induces an overwhelming amount of anxiety and stress on both the mind and body when the individual is reminded of the specific event, or when something triggers a memory of that event. Continual treatment at a psychiatric unit can assist an individual to cope with their PTSD and come to terms with their trauma.
Beethoven Recovery Centre is your first choice when it comes to a professional psychiatric unit for people living in Gauteng. Feel free to browse our website for details on our premises and contact us directly if you have any questions on how we can assist you or a loved one in 2025.