What Is a Comorbidity?
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 31
Dealing with mental health symptoms that don't seem to fit a single diagnosis can be confusing and overwhelming. Many people experience this, and it's a very real phenomenon. We can help you understand why this happens and what it means for your mental health journey.
Can a person have more than one mental health disorder at the same time?
Yes, it is possible and very common to have more than one mental illness at the same time. These co-occurring disorders can influence each other and may even develop as a result of a pre-existing condition.
Understanding the complexities of co-occurring mental health disorders is crucial for effective treatment and a successful recovery. We have more information on why this happens, which disorders commonly exist together, and how to approach treatment with a full picture of your mental health.
Can you have more than one mental health diagnosis at a time?
If you are someone who is looking into a mental health diagnosis, you might find that you have many symptoms that do not seem to fit together. You might feel always on edge, but you also might feel fatigued.
Perhaps you feel like some symptoms match one diagnosis, but other symptoms match another diagnosis. What you may not know is that it is possible to have more than one mental illness. In fact, many mental health disorders can exist together and even influence each other.
Having multiple diagnoses can complicate treatment, but being knowledgeable about everything that is going on can help ensure a more successful recovery. Mental healthcare professionals can address both disorders without missing crucial information and making the situation worse.
Mental Health Can Be Complicated
When receiving a diagnosis, keep in mind that it is not one-size-fits-all. There are plenty of factors that influence your mental health, from biology to environment to personal experiences. Psychiatrists need to consider every possible factor when it comes to assessing your mental health.
Perhaps you believe that you can only have one disorder at a time, or that it can only be one or the other. This might cause you to doubt your own feelings because it contradicts another feeling. Humans are very complicated, which makes diagnosis difficult. Despite these complications, being honest with yourself and your psychiatrist about all of your symptoms can make it easy to put the pieces together.
Why Do Some Disorders Exist Together?
There are many disorders that can exist together based on several different reasons. This can depend on environmental factors, genetics, or experiences related to mental illness. Some disorders originate at birth, and most research shows that they are most likely a result of genetics.
There are some disorders that can be caused by genetics but can also be the result of experiences related to a pre-existing disorder. Such disorders are referred to as secondary disorders. For example, if you are diagnosed with ADHD, you might have a secondary disorder that developed from the experience of having ADHD. If you were bullied because of your ADHD symptoms, you might develop depression as a result.
Treatment centers for substance use disorder (SUD) will often look for underlying mental health disorders since SUDs can be a result of coping with an untreated mental illness. Most treatment centers automatically screen for PTSD upon intake, while others screen for disorders such as bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders.
Informed Treatment Can Save Lives
It is essential for mental healthcare practitioners and substance use treatment centers to be aware of the potential for overlapping disorders, Ignoring the signs of a disorder while treating the other can negatively affect the treatment process. While trying to develop healthy habits to recover from substance use, you might struggle if you have undiagnosed ADHD.
Alternatively, if you have bipolar disorder, you might not realize the way you use substances to cope with symptoms is problematic and therefore will not learn to develop healthier coping mechanisms. When you have a full understanding of your mental health, you can better understand yourself and know how to work with your disorder along with an appropriate treatment plan.
Common Comorbid Disorders
Many different disorders can exist together. The most common comorbid disorders are anxiety and depression. They can be found with countless other disorders and sometimes play as a symptom for an even deeper issue. Substance use disorder can have many comorbid disorders underneath. Common comorbid disorders for SUDs are:
Bipolar disorder
Borderline personality disorder
ADHD
Schizophrenia
Anxiety
Treatment for Comorbidity
Treatment plans for disorders that co-occur can become complicated, but knowing the entire scope of a person’s mental health can make treatment more successful in the long run. The co-existing disorders can inform your doctor on what types of therapy work best for you, and what types could potentially make things worse.
Treatment plans can then be tailored with both disorders in mind. For example, the different disorders might influence the order in which symptoms are addressed. Some symptoms can work off of each other, thus making things worse.
Be Honest With Your Doctor
Even if you feel confused about your symptoms, be honest about all symptoms that are occurring at once. This can help your doctor or therapist understand everything that is lying underneath and how they can best help you. It is unlikely that a doctor will not believe you if you have multiple symptoms, since therapists and psychiatrists are educated on common comorbidities. Keeping your doctor aware of everything going on can help you avoid a misdiagnosis.
Frequently Ask Questions:
• What are comorbid disorders?
Comorbid disorders are two or more mental health conditions that exist together in the same person. This can be influenced by genetics, environment, or personal experiences.
• Why do some disorders exist together?
Some disorders exist together due to shared genetic factors, environmental influences, or because one disorder can lead to the development of another. For example, a secondary disorder can develop from the experience of having a pre-existing condition.
• What are some common comorbid disorders?
Anxiety and depression are among the most common comorbid disorders. Substance use disorder also frequently co-occurs with other conditions such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, and PTSD.
• How does having multiple diagnoses affect treatment?
Having multiple diagnoses can complicate treatment, but being aware of all conditions allows mental health professionals to create a more successful and tailored treatment plan. They can address both disorders simultaneously to avoid negative effects.
• What is the most important thing to do when seeking a diagnosis?
It is essential to be honest with your doctor or therapist about all of your symptoms, even if they seem confusing or contradictory. This helps them understand the full scope of your mental health and can prevent a misdiagnosis.
It is crucial to remember that you are not alone in your journey toward mental wellness. We at Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center understand the complexities of mental health, especially when dealing with co-occurring disorders. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is dedicated to providing personalized care that addresses the full scope of your mental health needs. We are here to help you navigate your symptoms, understand your diagnoses, and develop a successful path to recovery. Please call us at (435) 222-5225 to take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
 |  |  |
About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
