Mental disorders could be caused by which of the following?

• A. A genetic mutation
• B. Inheriting the tendency to develop one, a traumatic event, alcoholism
• C. A dietary deficiency
• D. Lack of sleep

Answer: (B)

Mental disorders often arise from multiple factors working together. A genetic vulnerability can make someone more likely to develop a condition, but environmental stressors are usually needed to trigger it. Inheriting a tendency to develop a disorder provides the susceptibility, while experiencing a traumatic event and engaging in alcoholism act as significant environmental triggers that can precipitate the illness or worsen its course. This aligns with the idea that gene-environment interactions shape mental health, where both biology and life experiences contribute.

The other possibilities aren’t as complete. A genetic mutation by itself doesn’t always cause a disorder—many people carry genetic risks without developing illness, and many disorders require environmental factors to manifest. Dietary deficiency can affect mental health in certain situations but isn’t a universal cause. Lack of sleep can worsen symptoms or mimic some issues but doesn’t typically cause a true psychiatric disorder on its own.