Information on coping with Anger, Bi-Polar,
Depression & other Mental Health issues
Depression & other Mental Health issues
| Co-occuring Disorders or Dual Diagnosis |
The term co-occurring disorders refers to an individual having one or more
substance abuse disorders and one or more psychiatric disorders at the
same time.
('Dual diagnosis' is an older term for 'co-occurring disorders'.)
Why are these separate disorders grouped together?
It is important to know if co-occurring disorders exist because each
disorder can cause symptoms of the other disorder, leading to slow
recovery and a diminished quality of life.
For example, a person with an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder such as
depression may abuse drugs to alleviate the symptoms of depression. If
the person gets treatment for the drug addiction but not for depression,
the depression still exists and the need for relief from its symptoms
continues. The person will end up using drugs again to manage the
depression symptoms.
substance abuse disorders and one or more psychiatric disorders at the
same time.
('Dual diagnosis' is an older term for 'co-occurring disorders'.)
Why are these separate disorders grouped together?
It is important to know if co-occurring disorders exist because each
disorder can cause symptoms of the other disorder, leading to slow
recovery and a diminished quality of life.
For example, a person with an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder such as
depression may abuse drugs to alleviate the symptoms of depression. If
the person gets treatment for the drug addiction but not for depression,
the depression still exists and the need for relief from its symptoms
continues. The person will end up using drugs again to manage the
depression symptoms.
Work 4 Resiliency
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