The Science Behind Mental Health — It Matters!

Ever since I was a child, the stigma of mental illnesses existed in the communities and environments around me. It was always a touchy subject that was rarely talked about in my classes, and my views on mental illnesses were reflected off those from the people I was close to. One of my most vivid memories regarding the subject of mental health was in elementary school when one of my friends claimed she had every single mental health issue discovered. Being the gullible pre-teen I was, I believed her even after the fact she said she was self-diagnosed. As I grew older, I realised there was a lot more to mental illnesses than self-diagnoses and feeling sad.

Mental illnesses are biological issues. Neurochemicals in the brain go through a change causing an imbalance, which usually means too little or too much of a specific chemical is produced. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that help the communication between nerve cells run smoothly. However, after further research, many scientists state that mental health issues are not solely caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Many say further causes of mental health problems can be from social, environmental or physical impacts. Social issues can be extrapolated from friends an individual has, people they talk to often and even family. Environmental problems can vary depending on the individual. Some claim their mental health deteriorates during certain seasons and weathers. Physical impacts can include war trauma, brain damage, or getting into a car accident.

When neurochemicals and neurotransmitters are interrupted, the brain is unable to communicate with an individual’s body. Since neurochemicals affect the physical and psychological functions of a body, they can be very harmful when in incorrect amounts. Examples of harmful neurochemicals include (but are not limited to): epinephrine and dopamine. Epinephrine, or adrenaline, controls muscle contractions, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also influences the body’s fight or flight response (the body’s stress response), therefore leading to some anxiety disorders when in large amounts. Dopamine regulates emotional responses to situations. In small amounts, dopamine can cause addictive behaviour, such as alcohol and substance abuse, and depression.

Although self-diagnosing may be a wake-up call for some, it is extremely important to contact a professional about your thoughts. This can clear up any underlying health issues as symptoms of mental illnesses are also those of more critical issues such as vitamin deficiency. Doctors may sometimes request a blood test to be done to check for underlying conditions prior to conducting a professional psychological evaluation. Recovery for those suffering from mental illnesses differ from person to person. Those receiving the proper help suited for them can definitely recover from mental health conditions! Even though medication can be prescribed to patients by professionals, a study shows that antidepressants are only effective in 50% of its users. Many people prefer going to a professional therapist and undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy.

References:

Cafasso, Jacquelyn. “Chemical Imbalance in the Brain.” Healthline. Healthline Media, 04 Dec. 2019. Web. 15 Dec. 2020.

“The Science Behind Mental Health.” WISE Wisconsin. 17 Sept. 2018. Web.

“Understanding Mental Illness.” CMHA Toronto. Web. 15 Dec. 2020.

Weir, Kirsten. “The Roots of Mental Illness.” Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association, June 2012. Web. 15 Dec. 2020.

This post was written by Kimmy Yan, a member of the ‘Vancouver High school Science Olympics’ organization.