gitana1
Verified Attorney
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I don't think there is enough concrete research on mental illness to know whether outside factors cause it or whether it's a neurological condition that starts at certain points in development regardless of the environment, or both.
TBH I've never heard of mental illness in a 12 year old or a doctor who is legit willing to diagnose a person that age with a mental illness.
I think it is definitely fair to say that if a child is raised in turmoil or around abuse/violence, they will feel detachment and anger. These are emotions and feelings that can get to a boiling point and they'll lash out as a way to cope.
Well, I just linked to several articles that state just that. Certain mental conditions have genetic or organic components, like schizophrenia, but various mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, personality disorders, etc., absolutely can be caused by environmental factors. There is a boat load of research supporting that.