What are common types of Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders at our Dual Diagnosis Treatment centers in Orange County?

Having a mental health illness on top of an addiction or substance use disorder can have compounding effects. In order to properly treat them, it has to be properly diagnosed. At the dual diagnosis treatment centers in California, our certified clinical psychiatrist will work with each patient to help identify any and all disorders. They will help each patient create a comprehensive treatment plan to best suit their needs. 

Because mental health illness can often occur alongside SUD, some of the most common disorders include depression, anxiety, OCD and ADHD.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is defined as a mental illness impacting a person’s ability to regulate and control their emotions. It often stems from a deep and intense fear of abandonment or perceived abandonment. 

Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder also exhibit other symptoms of mental illness. These include substance abuse, self-harm, and intense mood swings. Damaging behaviors, chronic feelings of emptiness and sometimes eating disorders can also develop. 

Those with a family history of the illness have a much higher risk of developing the disorder. People who have experienced traumatic life experiences stemming from environmental, social and cultural factors also present a high risk. Borderline Personality Disorder is most often diagnosed in teens and young adults.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (depression or clinical depression) is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loneliness. There are also many different forms of depression that can develop under unique circumstances. These forms include persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, psychotic depression and seasonal depression. 

Depression can develop at any age depending on personal and family history of depression as well as trauma and stress. Many people who suffer from depression self-medicate by using drugs and alcohol leading to substance use disorder and addiction.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined by overwhelming thoughts and behaviors that need to be repeated over and over again. There are multiple forms of OCD. Its symptoms can include obsession with germs or cleanliness, superstitious behavior, intrusive thoughts, social isolation and many more. 

OCD can affect people of all ages with the causes still unknown. Some of the most common risk factors that can contribute to the development of OCD include genetics, family history and various environmental factors. Vital factors include childhood trauma and social relationships.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety is defined as excessive, uncontrolled and ongoing worry or fear. Many people experience occasional anxiety and it is a normal emotion. But when it begins to affect one’s daily life and daily functions, it is categorized as a generalized anxiety disorder. 

Some of the symptoms of anxiety include feelings of restlessness, irritability and fatigue. Having difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating and experiencing unexplained bodily pains are also signs of anxiety.

Generalized anxiety disorder is often associated with other mental illnesses such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and various phobia disorders. There are many ways to treat anxiety including comprehensive therapies such as CBT and medication treatments.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental disorder that can develop when someone has experienced a very distressing event in his or her life. PTSD causes actual lasting chemical changes in the brain such as memory changes and lessened ability to focus. War, crime and mass shootings are examples of events that can trigger PTSD. Sexual assault, abusive relationships and the death of a loved one are also factors that can profoundly affect the stability of a person’s mind.

Everyone experiences trauma and is normally able to recover from its symptoms naturally. People who continue to feel distressed even when they are no longer in danger or in a dangerous situation can develop PTSD. PTSD can actually put more people at risk for substance use disorders and addiction.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent physical and psychological eating behaviors that negatively impact health and mental well-being. Eating disorders come in many different forms, three of the most common include bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. 

Bulimia occurs when a person engages in episodes of binge eating followed by purging. Purging is due to guilty feelings of the lack of control over eating habits. With anorexia, individuals exert extreme control over their caloric food intake due to distorted images of their body shape. Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder and is characterized by regularly overeating even when you are uncomfortably full. 

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. Emotions range from the highs of mania to the lows of depression. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder experience various periods of intense emotional ups and downs called mood episodes. There are three types of bipolar disorder. 

Bipolar I Disorder is when a person experiences a manic episode lasting at least seven days. This is followed by a major depressive episode. Bipolar II Disorder is when a person experiences manic episodes without the depressive episode. 

Cyclothymic Disorder is defined as a person experiencing periods of manic episodes followed by periods of depressive episodes. This can last for at least two years. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder often attempt to control their moods with substances. This leads to substance use disorder and addiction.