Why can someone have many mental disorders at once?

Mental disorders will affect the way of thinking, behavior, and the overall health condition of a person. A patient can even have many mental disorders at once if the condition is not treated properly. So, what are the mental disorders that can occur simultaneously?

Why do many mental disorders can occur at the same time?

In the world of psychology, several mental disorders that appear simultaneously are referred to as comorbidities.

This condition is found to be common in patients with psychiatric problems, as evidenced by research in Journal of Affective Disorders .

Of the approximately 7,936 patients studied, about half had more than one mental disorder.

The most common type of problem is distraction mood , anxiety disorders, and somatoform disorders (physical symptoms due to mental disorders).

A person can have many mental disorders at once for several reasons.

First, some mental disorders have the same risk factors. For example, people who have experienced childhood trauma are at risk of developing anxiety disorders. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and so on.

Second, the mental disorder suffered can cause other psychiatric disorders.

Obsessive compulsive disorder may trigger excessive anxiety, PTSD that is not handled properly can lead to depression, etc.

Various mental disorders that can appear simultaneously

There are various types of mental disorders that can appear at once. These mental disorders can appear simultaneously or one by one as the patient's condition develops.

In general, the following mental disorders often appear at once:

1. Addiction and schizophrenia

Although it does not directly cause schizophrenia, addiction can be one of the triggers for the symptoms. Drug use in particular can even exacerbate existing symptoms.

Schizophrenics who were not previously addicted were more at risk of developing dependence on alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

This is because people with schizophrenia try to distract themselves from their condition or the side effects of the drugs they are taking.

2. Anxiety disorders and eating disorders

People who have many mental disorders can start with anxiety disorders.

Almost everyone has something they dislike about their body. In some people, this resentment can develop into excessive anxiety.

This anxiety may make a person very afraid of getting fat even at a normal weight.

In the end, she doesn't want to eat, which leads to anorexia and is at risk for bulimia.

3. Bipolar disorder and depression

Bipolar disorder is divided into a manic phase and a depressive phase.

In the manic phase, the patient is very energetic and possessive mood which is very good. Meanwhile, in the depressive phase, the patient will show emotions and behaviors that resemble depressive symptoms.

These changes make sufferers prone to having multiple mental disorders at once, especially depression. The reason is, the depressive phase can last for months and affects various aspects of the sufferer's life.

This disorder can lead to other mental problems if not handled properly. Handling should be done as early as possible to reduce the impact on sufferers.

If you or someone closest to you shows symptoms of one or more psychiatric problems, try to consult with the relevant professional.

A psychologist or psychiatrist will help you explore the causes and how to deal with them.