Managing Multiple Mental Health Diagnoses

Life often feels like a balancing act: between a career, endless to-do lists, personal relationships and family responsibilities, it can sometimes feel like walking a harrowing tightrope. But what happens if you add in not just one but multiple mental health conditions to the mix? The weight of multiple diagnoses can feel daunting, but as challenging as it may seem, finding a balance is possible. Keep reading for our tips to manage multiple diagnoses.

What does it mean to have multiple mental health diagnoses?

When someone experiences two or more mental health or substance use disorders at the same time, it’s called comorbidity. Overlapping diagnoses can make daily life more difficult, and treatment more complex. 

Multiple diagnoses are more common than you might expect. Studies show more than half of people diagnosed with one psychiatric disorder will be diagnosed with a second or third in their lifetime. In fact, nearly one-third of those with a mental health diagnosis are living with four or more conditions at one time. 

Why is it common to have more than one diagnosis?

According to a 2022 study, many conditions are linked at a genetic level. Researchers have found conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety share common genetic traits and risk factors.

Environmental factors such as stress, trauma and untreated symptoms can increase a person’s vulnerability to developing further conditions. For example, untreated anxiety could lead to depression, or depression could lead to substance use as a coping mechanism. Left unaddressed, one disorder can trigger a domino effect that leads to others, underscoring the importance of timely, effective treatment. 

The weight of multiple diagnoses can feel daunting, but as challenging as it may seem, finding a balance is possible.

How do multiple diagnoses impact daily life?

Living with more than one condition presents unique challenges. Symptoms can become unpredictable, as multiple conditions means overlapping symptoms interacting in ways that can be harder to control. The right treatment is key, because conflicting treatment plans or medications can cause more harm than good.

Individuals living with multiple diagnoses often face added stigma or misconceptions about their condition from those who don’t fully understand the complexity of their situation. Loved ones may struggle to grasp their diagnoses, leaving those affected to feel judged or isolated.

What does treatment look like?

When someone is living with comorbidities, treating only one condition at a time can leave critical gaps in care. Treatment for one condition without taking the others into account can sometimes lead to worse outcomes. For those who are living with or suspect multiple conditions, it’s critical to seek professional help, ideally with a provider who specializes in complex conditions and integrated, whole-person care. Integrated care is a treatment approach that addresses all conditions together, focusing on the whole person. This type of care examines how co-occurring conditions interact and uses that as a foundation for treatment that promotes stability across all areas of life. 

It’s important to remember, given the statistics, comorbidities are the norm, not the exception. At CTI-OK, our goal is to not just manage symptoms, but to find an individualized, integrated treatment plan that allows each person to find stability and balance in their life. For more about our comprehensive services, visit CTI-OK.org or call us at 918-384-0002.