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Common causes, triggers, symptoms and the effects of medication

• Common causes
• Triggers
• Symptoms of mental illness
• Effects of medication

The causes and triggers of mental illness can be as many and varied as the symptoms a client has. The effect of medication on a client who has a mental health condition can also affect how they engage with you and your organisation.

Common causes

A mental health condition (neurotic or psychotic) may develop from one or a combination of the following common issues:

•childhood abuse/neglect;
•social isolation;
•homelessness;
•unemployment;
•long-time caring for a family member;
•a long-term physical health condition;
•significant trauma – eg, from an accident or crime.

For psychotic disorders only, other causes are:

•susceptibility to a genetic hereditary condition;
•body chemistry;
•drug misuse.

Triggers

A trigger is something which can affect a person’s emotional state, sometimes significantly, and can cause overwhelming distress. A trigger may affect a person’s ability to remain in the moment, bring up specific thought patterns or influence their behaviour. Common triggers include:

•stress;
•lack of communication within families;
•isolation;
•pressure to succeed/deliver;
•belief that you are what you achieve;
•unrecognised grief following many forms of loss;
•substance misuse;
•a particular place or type of environment.

Symptoms of mental illness

The signs and symptoms of mental illness differ according to the type and severity of condition. A symptom can also sometimes be mild and at other times more severe. A client may be focused and involved in one meeting but be unable to engage at the next.

Some common symptoms of mental illness are:

•a change in thinking or perception;
•reduced level of social functioning – eg, stops going to work, never returns calls, does not turn up to social events;
•changes in sleep patterns – eg, too much or too little;
•personal neglect – eg, unwashed hair, dirty clothes;
•feelings of hopelessness;
•suicidal thoughts;
•low mood;
•catastrophising;
•undue worry;
•self-harm.

Effects of medication

Medication can help to stabilise a mental condition, but may have side effects for the person taking it. These may prove challenging for a client and their adviser, and more time may be needed in a meeting, or a different approach may be required from the agency’s standard protocols.

Some common side effects of medication taken for a mental health condition are:

•feeling flat and disconnected;
•weight gain – this can increase feelings of not being worthwhile or feeling ‘less’ than others;
•agitation and/or violence – anti-psychotic medications may cause this, as can medications for Alzheimer’s disease;
•stomach upsets/nausea and indigestion – this can be a common side effect of depression or anti-psychotic medications;
•hyper-salivation/sweating, shaking – also common with anti-psychotic medication.