Addiction, Depression, Poverty and Mental Illness; Doomed by Epigenetics Similar to other causality dilemmas, the question of which comes first: poverty, low SES, or mental instability, is discussed when modeling the development of psychological problems in human beings. Low socioeconomic status (SES), a marker dependent on income level, education and occupation, is often used interchangeably to title poor individuals as well as those with psychological health issues. Factors such as stress, negative environment, low quality of living, exposure to noise pollution and violence can all lead to bad health problems and play a role in the development of mental illnesses. Often, it is assumed that a positive family history for mental illness is one of the strongest predictors of the future development of depression and other psychological issues. Yet, we have an understanding that not all individuals with this risk factor later suffer from depression. From a biological stand point, one’s biological brain functions can also be another considerable co-factor for mental development. The highlighted biological mechanism researchers focus on is epigenetic modification, specifically methylation of gene regulatory regions, in parts of the brain. The amygdala, the portion of the brain that deals with one’s emotion behavior, and motivation, undergoes various biological mechanisms that later in turn shape that brain and other processes in this region. Serotonin, a hormonal product
Economic insecurity can create other serious consequences on mental health, such as; Personality and mood disorders, Psychoses that can lead to suicide and many other behavioral problems that make individuals turn to incautious choices like criminality and violence. According to the article “Education, Poverty and Terrorism: Is There a Causal Connection?” individuals living in poverty are more likely to do irrational things due to the financial pressure they’re on, the feeling of hopelessness can trigger some unsettling emotional response that can incur in aggressiveness and other acts of
Socioeconomic status is ordinarily broken into three classes to portray the three zones a family or an individual may fall into. While setting a family or individual into one of these classes, any or the majority of the three variables can be surveyed. Furthermore, low salary and education have been appeared to be solid indicators of a scope of physical and emotional wellness issues, including respiratory infections, joint pain, coronary illness, and schizophrenia. These issues might be because of natural conditions in their working environment, or, on account of dysfunctional behaviors, might be the whole reason for that individual 's social problem regardless. Education in higher socioeconomic families is ordinarily pushed as a great deal more vital, both inside of the family and additionally the nearby group. In poorer zones, where nourishment and security are need, education can take a secondary lounge.
People that live in socially deprived areas are more likely to have mental illness, poverty, poor education and low socioeconomic status. This is mainly because of the conditions they have been brought up in and live in; if they lived in better conditions then they probably wouldn’t have health problems like this.
Low socioeconomic status is often associated with higher prevalence of depression. Depressive disorders which develop in socioeconomically tight situations have lower rates of remission and higher risks of becoming chronic, hence increasing prevalence (Bramesfeld, Platt & Schwartz, 2006). Mental health problems like depression and anxiety have a higher prevalence in
Poverty, a common problem in the US and yet, something that people consistently overlook. We are often unaware of the magnitude of poverty in the U.S and sometimes even disregard it. People living in destitution are at greater risk for behavioral and mental problems. Children or Teens who live in poverty are prone to poor academic achievements, become school dropouts , or grow subject to abuse or neglect. People in poverty also occasionally show signs of anxiety and depression.
To start, little is actually known about the importance and effect of timing of poverty on children’s psychological development. Economic deprivation during different phases and time frames of childhood can also alter the outcome of the child. Studies that have been done about children's early cognitive and physical development suggest that family income in the first five years of life has the most
Advances in science today suggest neither nature nor nurture is exclusively responsible, but instead an interactive relationship between our genes and environmental influences. The influence that nurture has upon nature is a new and blooming field called behavioral epigenetics.
People living in poverty think about what their next meal is or how they are going to feed their child. Poverty makes a person mentally stress causing them to have depression. The depression then leads to drugs or alcohol which is bringing them down. “Poor black men won't support their families, won't stick by their women -- all they think about is the street, dope and liquor, women, a piece of ass, and their cars. That's all that counts” (). Poverty impacts the individual’s health because they can’t afford the healthy food because it is expensive. The individual will purchase the white bread because it is cheaper but, they know it is not that healthy. People living in poverty might not buy that many fruits and vegetables. Not eating healthy leads to being obese or other health problems. “Poverty and illness together make people much more vulnerable and needy at all stages of their lives, and even more so in old age. Mental health is often both a cause and a consequence of poverty, compromised education, vulnerability, difficulty accessing housing, health-care and employment, and lack of access to welfare, social security, and community public
Poverty defintly factors into the aging process. According to Novak, “Research has found that early life experiences influence health in later life (103).” Therefore, low socioeconomic status can lead to destructive behavior. People with a low socioeconomic status tend to smoke, remain physically inactive, and abuse drugs and alcohol. Therefore, they face many health issues later on in life.
Many of our personality traits are developed by the interactions that we have had with others during our informative years. Our behavior is a reflection of our own personality and there is considerable evidence to show that personality can be inherited. Genetics are particular molecular structures of genes, as it is explained through science the effect that these genes have on our behavior and our body’s actions throughout our lives. Both the Endocrine System and Heredity have a large influence on human behavior. They determine our moods, irritability, and even our level of energy, even though the environment still plays a huge role. These personality genes, work by changing the structure of neurotransmitters, or receptors or emitters in the brain, which affects how our brain cells communicate with each other.
The researchers advance the scientific knowledge base by adding to the current knowledge, contributed to the theory, and met the qualifications for a valuable research (Capella, 2016). According to Reising et al., (2016), the study was to address parental depression, social economic status (SES), and community disadvantage for internal and external issues in children and adolescents. Also, taking to account that parental negligence is also a factor that is connected to the internal and external problems in children and adolescents. In addition, concurring to the previous research (Fear, et al., 2009) (Flynn & Rudolph 2011), (Lewis, Collishaw, Thapar, & Gordon, 2014), (McCarthy, Downes, & & Sherman), & (Sondheimer, MD, 2010), all came into
This paper will explain how poverty and mental illness go hand in hand. Mental illness seems to be a cause and effect situation. Sometimes mental illness causes poverty and other poverty causes the mental illness. This paper will also give possible solutions for the problem.
One common cause of depression that can be found no matter where you are in the world is poverty. In “What’s Behind the Gender Gap in Depression”, reporter Gretchen Cuda looks at how major depression is developed in both sexes, focusing mainly on women and their day-to-day struggles with the illness. “Being poor brings many types of stress, not the least of which is a feeling of loss of control over your life. That, in turn, can lead to negativity, passivity and lack of self-esteem--- and all those feelings increase the risk of depression.” (Cuda). Although Cuda focuses her report on women and depression, poverty is a factor that can lead to depression no matter what gender. The importance of financial stability and the stress that comes with worrying about money can take a toll on one’s physical as well as psychological health. Certain situations can occur in either gender but what occurs in the mind as well as methods of coping are what make the risk of depression differ for males and females.
Currently, there is a broad consensus that a negative correlation exists between socioeconomic status and mental illness in adolescents. By establishing the specific socioeconomic factors that induce mental illnesses in youth, disorders can be predicted early on. Many experts believe that wealthy children are likelier to develop mental health problems as they feel pressure to succeed or are isolated by their parents (Luthar 2003). However, it has been proven that poorer adolescents are more likely to develop mental illnesses than wealthier adolescents are. A negatively perceived social status, low parental education and income, and lack of social mobility have been proven as important socioeconomic causes of mental illnesses in adolescents.
Families besides providing for the basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothes for their children, they also pass on cultural and educational values onto their children. According to the American Psychological Association, an important factor in poverty is a family’s socioeconomic status (SES) is often measured as a combination of education, income, and occupation. It is commonly thought of as the social position or class of an individual or group. Socioeconomic status in families is a key factor that influences quality of life for young children and their families. Low socioeconomic status is linked with lower education, poverty, and poor health. Proven studies show that low socioeconomic status is connected with higher levels of emotional, behavioral difficulties, and hostility. Socioeconomic status is proven to create achievement differences among children from low income families from those who come from well off families (Children, Youth and Families & Socioeconomic Status).