Effects of Mental Health Problems on Individuals (AQA GCSE Psychology)

Damage to relationships

• Mental health problems can have damaging effects on an individual’s relationships with others, for example:

  • family members may experience stress as a result of caring for or living with an individual with poor mental health 

  • it is more likely that arguments and conflict will occur in romantic/intimate relationships as a result of increasing relationship pressure points e.g. issues with money, erratic behaviour, unpredictable mood

  • work colleagues may find it difficult to cope with the situation and so may distance themselves from the person with a mental health problem

• Mental health problems may affect an individual’s relationship with their children:

  • The child/children may have to take on the role of their parent’s carer

  • The child/children may placed into care if the parent is deemed incapable of providing a safe and stable environment

• People experiencing mental health problems may socialise less with friends and family:

  • A common symptom of depression is a loss of motivation or interest, and so individuals may isolate themselves from others

  • Isolation may result in friends and family feeling excluded, damaging the relationship further 

Difficulties coping with everyday life

• Coping with everyday life (a characteristic of good mental health) means being able to manage daily tasks and take care of the self in terms of:

  • good personal hygiene

  • regular eating habits

  • attending work or school

  • socialising with others 

• Individuals experiencing mental health problems may struggle to cope with everyday tasks such as:

  • personal hygiene e.g. showering frequently

  • taking care of the home e.g. household chores

  • ignoring bills and other financial issues

• Individuals with mental health problems are likely to have increased absences from work which in turn may result in:

  • a reduction in income

  • job loss

  • lack of contact with colleagues 

  • limiting future opportunities for employment, promotion etc.

Negative impact on physical well-being

• There is a Bi-directional relationship between mental health and physical well-being with each impacting the other, for example:

  • high anxiety may increase someone’s risk of developing a physical illness such as a cold

  • A physical ailment such as a broken leg may limit someone’s usual activities which could lead to them becoming depressed

• Mental health problems have other negative effects on physical well-being:

  • side effects of some prescription medication can affect an individual’s physical well-being, for example in the case of the antipsychotic clozapine these include:

    • dizziness

    • weight gain 

    • sleepiness

• Mental health problems may directly affect an individual’s physical functioning, for example in the case of depression these include:

  • loss of appetite

  • difficulty sleeping

  • low energy

• Mental health problems can cause stress which increases the risk of physical illness:

  • Stress produces the hormone cortisol, which reduces the functioning of the body’s defence mechanism, the immune system

  • Individuals may experience stress due to the cost of medication and the time taken to attend health services for treatment