Comorbidity
Comorbidity refers to the coexistence of at least two different disorders in the same individual. Research findings also indicate that 15%–25% of outpatients suffering from an anxiety disorder have a history of alcohol dependence. Research has found that substance dependence is the most common co-occurring disorder in war veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It has also been observed that many individuals who experience chronic anxiety often meet many of the criteria for major depression disorder and panic disorder.
Unipolar and bipolar depression are also subject to comorbidity, such as substance use disorder. For example, people with bipolar disorders who use alcohol and other drugs are more likely to be hospitalized and have more difficulty controlling their symptoms. If a person has his or her first manic episode after the age of forty, then substance use or a general medical condition should be suspected first instead of a bipolar disorder.
Comorbidity may complicate the treatment of disorders. For example, a person addicted to drugs might also be suffering with other mental illnesses at the same time; this comorbid presentation can cause problems when developing a treatment plan, as it is imperative to consider the correlation between the substance use disorder and the mental health disorder.
