What Is A Co Occurring Disorder? Essay

However, due to her reports, it could be hypothesized that she may have been a victim of sexual abuse or physical abuse at one point in her early life. Borderline Personality disorder has found to be a contributor to child abuse (Spatz 2009). Having parental familial substance abuse and other factors were also predictors for Borderline Personality Disorder. (Spatz 2009) This research is suggested that there was some type of abuse at one point in the client’s early life. From these studies results indicated that more abuses and neglected children met the criteria for

Borderline personality disorder is defined in its most simplest sense as being a mental health disorder that generates significant emotional instability. [1] In sufferers it generates a wide range of symptoms typically characterised into three groups; Problems regulating emotions and thoughts; impulsive behaviour without thinking of the consequences of actions; and lastly unstable relationships. Evaluating the most effective treatment(s) for BPD remains a target for mental health services as the disorder is associated with self harm and suicide attempts, with suicide attempts recorded in 69-80% of patients. [2]

Co-occurring disorders can be difficult to treat due to the complexity of symptoms. Both the mental health and substance abuse disorders have biological, psychological, and social components assessed throughout the treatment process. Co-occurring disorder individuals battle to maintain their sobriety as they need to find services for both mental health and support groups catering to their unique needs.

A personality disorder is characterized by a distinct pattern of behavior that does not meet normal standards of behavior within one’s culture. This pattern is ingrained as the norm to the person affected, and the characteristics of the affected person deviate markedly from societal standards (Hebblethwaite, 2009). The two main features that help to identify a personality disorder are chronic interpersonal difficulties and persons with one’s identity or sense of self (Livesly, 2001). Within this set of mental health disorders lie several other subsets, including one of the most prominent personality disorders - Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is a severe, long-lasting disorder that has an incidence of occurrence approximately equal to that of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined (Grant, Chou, Goldstein et al., 2008). BPD also puts those affected at risk for damage in many areas of their life if not properly diagnosed and treated, including personal relationships, school, work, and self-imagine. Furthermore, this disorder has a high co-morbidity with other disorders such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and social phobia, among many more (Hebblethwaite, 2009). Misdiagnosis of borderline personality disorder can have serious clinical implications. This paper looks to identify the risk factors associated with BPD, the affects on various aspects of the person’s life, treatments, and give recommendations as to how to properly identify and

Substance abuse disorders are common in our society. It is a disorder that each one of us will most likely experience through a family member, friend, or our self. I felt very drawn to this topic due to the fact that I have a family that has background of substance abuse and I myself have battle the demon. Not until I struggled with my own addiction did I become more tolerable and understanding to those that have a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse is not something anyone wants to have; it is a disorder that takes control of a person’s life. It is a beast that tears a person apart; from their being to the lives of their loved ones. This disorder is not biased in anyway; rich or poor, male or female, employed or unemployed, young or

Individuals with a mental illness often turn to drugs or alcohol to reduce their symptoms, as opposed to or in addition to seeking treatment for their illness. This problem is much worse than previously imagined, with experts estimating 65 percent of prison inmates suffering from a dual diagnosis. The prevalence in the general population is likely very high also, thus anyone with a mental illness or substance abuse problem may find they need specialized care.

The human and economic toll of co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders in this country demands immediate attention. Though the problems associated with co-occurring disorders have long been acknowledged and discussed, there has been little consensus about how to accomplish needed system change. In this time period, there are many different disorders and illnesses that go unnoticed, and unknown.

A statistical piece of information that was interesting is that how the number of mental disorders increases as the number of substance abuse disorders increases as well. Services, U.D. (2005) states the likelihood of mental disorders rises alongside with substance abuse dependencies. With the rise of both abuses at the same time, it complicates treatment for the mental disorder patients that have drug use however, multiple drugs is normal for those who are substance abusers (Services, U.D., 2005). The reason this information is found to be interesting is because with the two disorders rising at the same level, it appears that the challenges will be harder and more co-occurring disorder patients are going to need help with their issues. As a counselor, one must be dually competent to treat these clients or have staff available to treat the clients who have co-occurring disorders to ensure an effective outcome.

Borderline personality disorder can include many aspects: instability in mood regulation, impulse control, difficulties in interpersonal relationships and self-image. (Lieb et al, 2004) Jaynelle has experienced all of these at some time in her life. She grew up stealing from Safeway to be able to eat, uprooting her family to move with multiple boyfriends, and she overreacts when she thinks she is being slighted by social services. She is quick to anger and lashes out when provoked.

Compton, W.M., Conway, K.P., Stinson, F.S., Colliver, J.D., & Grant, B.F... (2012) Prevalence correlates, and comorbidity :Comorbidity addiction and other mental illness. National Institute on Drug Abuse.Choice Reviews Online. 20-24.

Sometimes people may have a mental disorder but because they do not want to seek help they use drugs to help them cope. As pointed out by Hays (2013) “counselors will often see clients because of the problems produced by drinking, such as deterioration in work performance, conflicts with others, depression, or poor health” (p.143). As counselors we need to know that sometimes a person may come in substance abuse but the reason for the substance abuse but maybe a mental disorder. Counselors should be trained to give assessments that will measure both mental illness and substance abuse.

Past research has shown that there is a correlation between substance abuse and mental illness. Some clinicians believe that the addiction should be treated first. Other school of thought believes that the mental illness should be addressed and treated first. The debate continues to go on as to whether the addiction or mental illness should be treated first. More clinicians are learning that if able, they should treat both at the same time. The goal should be to treat the addiction and mental illness at the same time to get the client stable and healthy. Both are important and should be treated as co-occurring. It seems unrealistic to think that one is not dependent on the other. Since co-occurring diagnosis happen more frequently in people who abuse substances or have an addiction, naturally substance abuse would have a negative effect on their family. Families get ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬caught in the middle of their loved one’s addiction or drug use and becomes not only about the person using but impacts everyone around them. It is important to focus on the individual and the family. Family support is vital in increasing the chance of being

Substance abuse complicates almost every aspect of care for the person with a mental disorder. When drugs enter the brain, they can interrupt the work and actually change how the brain performs its jobs; these changes are what lead to compulsive drug use. Drug abuse plays a major role when concerning mental health. It is very difficult for these individuals to engage in treatment. Diagnosis for a treatment is difficult because it takes time to disengage the interacting effects of substance abuse and the mental illness. It may also be difficult for substance abusers to be accommodated at home and it may not be tolerated in the community of residents of rehabilitation programs. The author states, that they end up losing their support systems

The objective of this study is to describe the assessment and care of a client with borderline personality disorder. This work will additionally demonstrate the complexity of the problems and needs of this client and how this impacts on their illness and service providers. Additionally this work will describe the client's particular mental health problems, discuss possible causative factors and describe how the person was assessed and what interventions were used to help them. Evaluate the effectiveness of these assessments and interventions with reference to published literature, policy and legislation.

Mental health has come a long way from what it used to be, as various treatment options exist. For example, psychotherapy and psychological treatments have been found most effective in some disorders, yet why is that that they continue to be underutilized? While 7% more people with insomnia use hypnotic medications (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). Medications are ideal as a short-term treatment, eventually, the body can develop immunity to it, mask the behaviors rather than address them, and may lead to addiction. What insomnia, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and antisocial personality disorder (APD) have in common is that they are often time underdiagnosed, and there are limitations to all three disorders. For instance, insomnia and BPD can