Co-Occurring Conditions: Understanding Dual Diagnosis
Mental health disorders rarely occur alone. Often, they’re accompanied by additional disorders or a substance use disorder (SUD). This combination is known as co-occurring conditions or dual diagnosis.
When these problems occur together, it can feel overwhelming, like you’re stuck in a circle with no relief in sight. However, co-occurring conditions are treatable. At Discovery Mood & Anxiety, our team won’t just start you on the road to recovery – we’ll be with you for a lifetime.
Our measurement-based treatment approach will help you safely explore the roots of your co-occurring conditions, manage your symptoms, and become the person you were truly meant to be.
What Are Co-Occurring Conditions?
A co-occurring condition is a combination of a mental health disorder with another health condition. These conditions can include anything, such as:
- Generalized anxiety disorder and depression
- Bipolar disorder and substance use disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia
Co-occurring conditions are fairly common. According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 21.2 million Americans have co-occurring disorders.
Mental health disorders can be very difficult to live with by themselves. When combined with another condition, however, the situation can rapidly become devastating.
Years ago, co-occurring conditions weren’t fully understood. Most treatment providers considered mental health disorders and substance use disorders to be completely different. In modern times, we see dual diagnosis as the intertwined conditions that it is, allowing us to treat both conditions simultaneously…and effectively.
Co-Occurring Conditions: Which Disorder Comes First?
Dual diagnoses aren’t a chicken-or-the-egg situation. Instead, substance use and mental health disorders are two closely intertwined conditions that often fuel each other.
Here’s an example: a person who is struggling with PTSD may turn to alcohol because it provides temporary relief from their symptoms. Another example: a person who is caught in addiction will often develop depression, anxiety, and trauma as a direct result of their substance use.
Everyone who struggles with co-occurring conditions experiences them in different ways. What matters is that this complex – but treatable – combination gets treated before it starts to damage your quality of life, relationships, and more.
Are There Examples of Co-Occurring Conditions?
There are many different kinds of co-occurring conditions. A dual diagnosis doesn’t restrict itself to one kind of drug or condition. That said, there are some common co-occurring conditions:
- Alcohol use and major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Benzodiazepine (Xanax, Klonopin) use and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Bipolar disorder and cannabis use
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use
What Causes Co-Occurring Conditions?
Having a Substance Issue
Having a Mental Health Disorder
Genetics
Environmental Factors
What are the Symptoms of Co-Occurring Conditions?
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders have their own distinct symptoms, which means the symptoms of a co-occurring condition can vary widely depending on what substances are being used and what mental health disorder a person has.
However, both conditions have some general symptoms in common:
- Isolating from friends and family
- Intense, sudden mood swings
- Behavior changes, including high-risk behaviors like drunk driving
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Personality changes
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms when not using addictive substances
- Suicidal ideation
Only a trained professional can accurately diagnose you with a dual diagnosis. However, if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be a sign of a major issue.
How Do You Treat a Co-Occurring Condition?
Co-occurring conditions, while complex, are treatable. A dual diagnosis is treated in a variety of ways, including therapy and medication. At Discovery Mood & Anxiety, our measurement-based care approach helps us craft highly effective, personalized care plans for our clients.
We do this by carefully analyzing 27 distinct wellness indicators, including your physical and mental health history, past substance use, your present condition, and more. This gives us a truly holistic view of you, which helps us carefully curate treatment programs that grow with you as you progress through care. A few of the treatment modalities we use include:
Talk Therapy
Group Therapy
Experiential Therapy
It can be very hard to express certain things with words. Experiential therapy uses other ways of expression, including art, to make certain thoughts, feelings, and experiences easier to express.
Aftercare plays a big role in Discovery Mood & Anxiety. We use Discovery 365™, our revolutionary platform that acts as your companion after you leave our care. It’ll help connect you to resources and even let you know when you could use a little extra support.
Because nothing is as important as the rest of your life.
How Do I Help a Loved One with a Co-Occurring Condition?
Supporting someone you care about who is dealing with co-occurring conditions calls for empathy, steadiness, and a gentle touch. It’s completely understandable to feel unsure or overwhelmed when you see someone you love struggle. Even so, there are thoughtful ways to show up for them and encourage steps toward getting help.
- Choose Your Words with Care: Strong emotions can make conversations tense, and it’s easy to say things you don’t intend. Try to avoid comments that dismiss or minimize their experience, like urging them to “snap out of it.”
- Listen with Openness: Offer space for your loved one to share what they’re feeling. Simply listening, without trying to solve everything, can help them feel less isolated. Feeling understood may also make them more willing to consider next steps.
- Learn About Co-Occurring Conditions: Understanding what a dual diagnosis involves and how it affects people can help you respond with grounded empathy. The more informed you are, the more confident and supportive you can be.
- Encourage Gently: You can suggest seeking professional support in a calm, respectful way. Offering to help them find a therapist or providing practical support, like going with them to appointments, can make the process feel more manageable.
- Be Patient: Healing takes time, and progress often comes in waves. Try not to pressure them to “get better.” Instead, remind them that you’re there for them and stay connected, even if they withdraw at times.
- Stay Attentive to Concerning Signs: If your loved one expresses hopelessness or talks about harming themselves, take it seriously. Encourage them to reach out to a mental health professional or someone they trust. If you believe they may be in immediate danger, contact local emergency services right away.
- Take Care of Yourself Too: Supporting someone with co-occurring conditions can be emotionally taxing. Make sure you’re resting, eating regularly, and seeking support for yourself when needed. Caring for your own well-being helps you show up more fully for the person you love.
What Happens if Co-Occurring Conditions Aren’t Treated?
In short, both problems get worse. Here’s how:
- Mental Health Symptoms: These become increasingly severe and disruptive. Feelings of anxiety and hopelessness get worse; some people can even experience a break from reality.
- Substance Use Symptoms: Over time, people develop what’s known as a tolerance to substances, meaning they have to use more to feel the same effects. Not only does this cause further disruption to their lives, but it can also lead to fatal overdose.
Co-occurring conditions are an extremely serious and complex medical issue…but they’re treatable. Getting help is critically important.
Your Journey Starts Here
You’re worth your best life. We’ll help you safely and confidentially explore the root of your problems and help you build a life that’s worth living. Your symptoms won’t control your life any longer – you’ll be the one in control.
In addition to co-occurring disorders, we treat:
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Clinically Reviewed by
Matthew Ruble, MD
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