Mental Disorder | Psychology Central

The Comorbidity Complication: Mental Health

Every cause must have an effect. Logic dictates this, demanding that patterns establish themselves. Every action creates an aftermath. Every reason must have a source. This is the law of explanations — with no gesture left without an origin and no disease left without a symptom.

Some symptoms can instead gather together, however: tangling until they represent a new disorder entirely. And, when this occurs, individuals may find themselves suffering from far more than mental diseases. They instead can be experiencing comorbidity.

Defined simply: comorbidity is when the presence of one mental issue sparks the arrival of another. Individuals who suffer from complications — such as depression, schizophrenia and borderline personalities — may lack the ability to censor their actions. From this can arise a sudden dependence on substances or medication, with addiction being the most common problem. It is believed that over 60 percent of those with disorders have comorbidity concerns.

And this statistic is all too easy to understand.

The symptoms of mental diseases are difficult to overcome. They are experienced in prolonged forms, offering frequent feelings of guilt, exhaustion and anxiety. This can often lead individuals to seek quick treatments (such as alcohol, cocaine and opiates). These substances can provide relief — however brief.

That relief eventually spawns an addiction, however, and comorbidity is established.

It is imperative therefore that individuals recognize the arrival of mental disorders and seek professional care for them. This is to ensure that comorbidity will not begin and offers a greater hope for success — rather than shattering chances by adding the complications of substance abuse.

Admitting Flaws to Gain Support

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You are the exception to every rule: this is the certainty that defines you, the law you crafted as a child. There are no conventions that can contain you. There are no statistics that apply. Instead you’re able to battle all expectations — creating a life that is free from the common concerns. Superiority is an easy emotion. Your ego is shaped to it.

Such an ego will suffer in the wake of mental disease, however — and your body will follow, with treatment left ignored and no support sought.

It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from mental disorders each year (with the symptoms and severity varying from individual to individual). Within this unfortunate group, however, is only a small percentage who will actively seek treatment: 20 percent. The rest will instead refuse — certain that they can conquer their problems without aid, frightened of the social stigmas that will be flung toward them.

This is a dangerous truth, and one that must be rectified.

The necessity of treatment cannot be denied. Individuals who are burdened with mental diseases — such as depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and dysthymia — can’t overcome their symptoms alone. Medication is instead needed, as well as professional therapy. Assuming that these problems can be undone by sheer will is a mistake… and a costly one: because 90 percent of those who commit suicide have some form of disorder and the majority of these individuals did not receive care.

It’s vital therefore to admit the arrival of a disease — and then seek treatment. This is the only worthwhile defense. All egos must be ignored.

The Comorbidity Complication: Mental Health

Admitting Flaws to Gain Support

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