An individual battling a substance abuse issue or addiction along with a mental disorder is suffering from a co-occurring disorder. A co-occurring disorder, previously referred to as dual diagnoses, can be any combination of mental illness and substance abuse or addiction. This includes anything from alcoholism and anxiety, cocaine addiction and eating disorders, post-traumatic stress … Read more
Co-occurring Symptoms Are Finally Recognized People who suffer from an addiction like alcoholism or substance abuse are often also experiencing another malady like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, high anxiety, or obsessive/compulsive disorder. They are stricken with what the mental health industry calls ‘co-occurring disorder’, formerly known as ‘dual diagnosis.’ If your family member or friend … Read more
Codependency is classified as a behavioral pattern where people take on a caretaker role in relationships. People who are codependent usually disregard their own needs in favor of the other person’s. The individual feels fulfilled and content in being needed by someone else. Codependency and Addiction On its own, codependency can make it incredibly difficult … Read more
There are many common myths regarding addiction, including the idea that addiction is simply a choice and can easily be overcome if desired. This is simply not the case. For many of those battling addiction, it once started as a simple prescription medication for pain, injury, or recovery after surgery that spiraled into dependence. In … Read more
Introduction Do you know the origins of the term narcissistic personality disorder? The character Narcissus from Greek mythology is the basis for the term narcissism. Previously known as Narcissists, people with Narcissistic personality disorder have preoccupations with themselves and their outward appearances. They also are fixated on how others perceive them. Greek Mythology In ancient … Read more
What is Trauma? The experience of trauma can vary significantly from individual to individual, especially considering the prevalence of different kinds of trauma. However, at its core, trauma results from the experience of distressing events that deliver an overload of stress that an individual is not able to cope with, creating the potential for long-term … Read more
There is a consensus among people in the healthcare field that dual diagnosis refers to individuals with mental health disorders and a substance use disorder (SUD). Co-occurring refers to other health issues such as diseases occurring amongst SUD. Comorbidity is another term that you may run into, which simply means that someone has two disorders … Read more
