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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Common Questions:
Why are these separate disorders grouped together?
How is a person diagnosed with co-occurring disorders?
What is recovery?
What is the difference between “serious mental illness” and “serious emotional disturbance”?
How does recovery occur?
What does treatment for co-occurring disorders include?
Why should my adolescent be screened?
What does dual diagnosis mean?
Are co-occurring disorders rare?
Where can I get more information?
Why are these separate disorders grouped together?
These disorders are grouped together because they need to be treated at the same time if recovery is to occur.
It is important to know if co-occurring disorders exist because symptoms of each disorder can affect 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 continue to manage the depression symptoms.
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How is a person diagnosed with co-occurring disorders?
A diagnosis of co-occurring disorders (COD) occurs when at least one disorder of each type (substance-related disorder and psychiatric disorder) can be established independently of the other.
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What is recovery?
Recovery is a journey of healing and transformation that enables a person with a problem to live a meaningful life in the community of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential.
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What is the difference between “serious mental illness” and “serious emotional disturbance”?
“Serious mental illness”’ is a term used in federal regulations for any a diagnosable psychiatric disorder in people over age 18, that affects work, home, or other areas of social functioning. “Serious emotional disturbance" also comes from federal regulations, and it refers to any diagnosable psychiatric disorder in a child, under age 18, that severely disrupts social, academic and emotional functioning.
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How does recovery occur?
People in integrated treatment programs learn to manage the symptoms of both chronic illnesses while learning how to improve the quality of their lives.
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What does treatment for co-occurring disorders include?
Treatment for people with COD is tailored to each individual. There is no single way to treat all people with COD. People are complex and unique therefore, each person should have a treatment plan that includes all the necessary services the individual needs at each stage of recovery. It is important that all services and interventions are organized into one coordinated treatment plan that is shared by all treatment providers.
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Why should my adolescent be screened?
Identifying and treating teens with COD or at risk for COD will prevent diminished quality of life. Untreated symptoms may cause mood changes, poor grades, inability to get along with peers or adults, and legal problems. In addition, the earlier needed treatment begins, the sooner recovery is achieved.
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What does dual diagnosis mean?
Dual diagnosis is an older term for co-occurring disorders.
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Are co-occurring disorders rare?
No. Co-occurring disorders are very common but are frequently undiagnosed and untreated.
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Where can I get more information?
See the Links section of this website for further information on co-occurring disorders.
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Mental
Health