Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Disorders
By: Rachel Townsend, Rae Slattery, Kaitlin Salim, Kristine Snarr
Introduction To Our Client
Sam is a 17 year old boy who was diagnosed with
Depression and Generalized Anxiety at the age of
13. Sam has resorted to abusing alcohol and
certain illegal drugs in order to cope during high
points of Depression and Anxiety. He was
diagnosed with a concurrent disorder after it was
found out that he uses substances in order to deal
with his previously diagnosed mental illnesses.
After meeting Sam, and talking to him about his
decision to abuse substances as a way to cope, he
explained how the alcohol and drugs seem to
relieve his Anxiety and Depression symptoms for a
short time, but eventually it makes the symptoms
worse.
Introduction To Our Client
Sam is currently taking 20mg of Citalopram once a day to
help with his Anxiety and Depression symptoms. While
mixing his medication with alcohol and drugs, Sam has
reported feeling drowsy, having impaired thinking, feelings
of paranoia, trouble sleeping, poor coordination and
thoughts of self-harm.
His mental illnesses and addictions are affecting his school
performance, personal relationships and family
relationships. His parents have noticed that he is
increasingly withdrawing himself from social events, from
his peers and is beginning to not act like himself anymore.
They are afraid that if he does not get help soon, things will
just get worse and worse until it is too late to do anything.
What Are Concurrent Disorders?
A concurrent disorder is when an individual
experiences both mental illness and a substance
use disorder.
Eating Disorders
Ex. Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia
Substance Use
+
Mood/Anxiety Disorder
Due to the nature of concurrent disorders and the
combination of a variety of mental illnesses and
substance use problems, there is no single symptom
or group of symptoms common to all combinations.
Importance Of and their durations can vary widely. All symptoms may not
appear simultaneously, one disorder may seem worse at
various times depending on the client's environment and
Duration Of mindset. Durations for specific symptoms largely depends
on the disorders in question.
Symptoms It does not entirely matter which disorder occurs first, the
presence of both a mental health and substance use
disorder is enough to warrant a diagnosis of a concurrent
disorder. However, sometimes substance abuse can mimic
symptoms of various mental health disorders, such as
alcohol-induced depression. In these cases, it is helpful to
know if the mental health disorder preceded the substance
use. This will determine if the diagnosis is truly a
concurrent disorder.
Importance Of Duration Of Symptoms:
Sam's Concurrent Disorder
Given the many variations and combinations with concurrent disorders, let's look at the
importance of duration of symptoms in Sam's case.
Substance Use
+
Mood/Anxiety Disorder
Importance of Duration of Symptoms
SUBSTANCE USE
A maladaptive pattern of substance use for longer than intended
and when discontinued causes an individual to experience
pathological signs and symptoms, such as tolerance and withdrawal
Tolerance is the need for increased amounts of the substance to
achieve the desired effect or achieving less of an effect when using
the same amount as before
Withdrawal is the appearance of a drug discontinuation syndrome
and the need to take more of the drug in order to avoid the
symptoms of discontinuation
Individuals engage in extensive but unsuccessful efforts to control
their substance use, spend a great amount of time and effort trying
to obtain the substance, experience cravings, use the substance in
dangerous situations, fail to fulfill obligations of work or school, and
suffer major impairments in social, occupational, or recreational
communities, despite being aware of the harmful effects of the
substance
Importance of Duration of Symptoms
Effective A patient suffering from mental illness can benefit from treatments
such as group or individual therapy, or medications. Sometimes a
Psychoeducation- Help patients and their families deal with their problems, build a
Possible
Education about mental
health and substance
recovery support plan and make/implement plans to prevent their
problems.
Treatment
abuse.
Options
Psychotherapy- “Talk Helps patients understand why they think the way they do. Or why
Therapy.” they act or interact with others in the way they do. Can be a short
term or long term treatment plan.
Family Therapy Helps teach families and patients about substance abuse and mental
health disorders, as well as offering individual help for the family
members.
Peer Support Groups A group of people who all have concurrent disorders, who can all
accept and understand each other while sharing their experiences.
Recently diagnosed patients can benefit from the experiences of
others.
CAMH’s
Concurrent
Disorders
Transformation
How might the presence of both mental health and substance use disorders
complicate and affect each other?
References
Brasch, J. (2016). Intro to concurrent disorders. Retrieved from https://www.csam-smca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Concurrent-Disorders.pdf
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, & George, T. (2016, October 25). CAMH’s Concurrent Disorders Transformation. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6qI7gob7uQ.
Concurrent Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/concurrent-disorders.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M. D. (2017, June 9). Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern? Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231.
Department of Health and Community Services (2015). Concurrent disorders guidelines. Retrieved
from https://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/mentalhealth_committee/mentalhealth/pdf/Concurrent_Disorders.pdf
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. (n.d.). Concurrent Disorders. Retrieved
from https://www.ontarioshores.ca/finding_help/about_mental_illness/mental_illnesses/concurrent_disorders.
Shatkin, J.P. (2015). Child and adolescent mental: A practical, all-in-one guide.
Canadian Mental Health Association (n.d.). Concurrent Disorders. Retrieved from https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/concurrent-disorders/
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2004) Concurrent Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders; An Information Guide. Retrieved from
https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/guides-and-publications/concurrent-disorders-guide-en.pdf
O’Grady, C., Skinner, W. (2007). A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Retrieved from
https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/guides-and-publications/partnering-with-families-guide.pdf
Neuman, F. (2013). Determining What is Normal Behavior And What is Not. Psychology Today. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fighting-fear/201305/determining-what-is-normal-behavior-and-what-is-not