There is no one cause for psychopathology---ask 100 therapists to write this article and you'd get 100 different responses, each one reflecting the therapist's specific area of expertise. Modern psychology, therefore, discusses psychopathology in terms of multiple interrelated factors. These factors can be divided into two primary categories: predispositions and precipitators.
How these factors combine to create disorders varies case by case. For example, it is believed that some disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder) have more of a precipitating component than a predisposition; other disorders (such as schizophrenia) seem to have more of a predisposition component than a single precipitator. And many disorders---major depression, social anxiety and anorexia, among them---are thought to have both predisposing and precipitating components.
Predisposing Factors
Predispositions are qualities of the individual that create a higher risk of him or her manifesting a pathology. However, the increase in risk created by predisposition factors does not mean that pathology will manifest. Predispositions are divided into two categories: psychological and biological. A vast majority of disorders have either one or both of these types of predisposition. And it is thought that some disorders, such as bipolar disorder, have both psychological and biological components---without any precipitating factors.
Psychological Predispositions
Just a few psychological processes that may correlate with some psychopathologies are: conflicts between the conscious and unconscious mind; ineffective or unhealthy learned emotional coping skills; and the lack of a sense of personal responsibility or personal efficacy.
Biological Predispositions
Biological factors that may contribute to the manifestation of some psychopathologies are: abnormal physical structures in the brain; abnormal chemical processes of the brain; and injuries or diseases that alter normal brain function.
Precipitating Factors
For most, but not all disorders, precipitating factors must also be present. Precipitating factors are divided into two categories: life events and environmental influences. It is thought that some disorders are caused primarily by several precipitating factors interacting with each other.
Precipitating Life Events
Examples of life events that correlate with some psychopathologies are: extensive periods of neglect, especially in childhood; physical, emotional or sexual abuse; and exposure to various forms of emotional, physical or psychological trauma.
Precipitating Environmental Factors
A patient's psychopathology may be related to exposure to an unhealthy environment---for example, an environment that lacks a sense of safety or belonging; one that does not nurture or provide the patient with empathy and a sense of self-worth; or one that conditions the individual to think or behave in maladaptive ways.
Considerations
New evidence is constantly emerging, which adds to---or even contradicts---previous research. A disorder that is thought to be primarily related to one factor may be proven later to be caused by another factor. For example, schizophrenia was once thought to be caused by a combination of precipitating factors (early life events and a non-nurturing environment). It is now believed to be primarily related to brain chemistry---a biological predisposition. For this reason, the answer to the question "what are the causes of psychopathology" will always be complex and in a constant state of change. As this is a complex subject, it is best to consult a professional directly if you have questions about the causes of a specific disorder, especially if it is a disorder with which you or a loved one have been diagnosed.
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