Mental or brain disorders are brought on by a weakness in character. You could get over it if you really tried. Yet mental or brain disorders are complex and go far beyond questions of willpower or effort alone. Research is being conducted to determine the genetic origins or biological factors of various disorders. Genes have been shown to be associated with the origin of schizophrenia and Alzheimer's Disease.
Depression is known to be associated with changes in brain chemicals.
Alcohol dependence, often branded as a vice resulting from poor moral character, is now linked to both the social environment and to genes. One biological cause of mental retardation is the lack of iodine, vital for brain development, in the diet of a growing child. Social influences can significantly contribute to the development of various disorders. For example, individuals react differently to stressful situations. Loss of a loved one can potentially lead to depression.