Dual Diagnosis Treatment
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Dual Diagnosis Treatment
A dual diagnosis is used to diagnosis a person who is suffering from two or more medical conditions. These conditions can include but are not limited to emotional, psychological, physical and mental disorder. Most commonly these terms are used to refer to patients who are have a chemical dependency problem either with drugs and/or alcohol and a mental illness. The most effective form of treatment for these conditions is simultaneous treatment in which both of the conditions are treated at the same time. This is very important in the dual diagnosis treatment process. Dual diagnosis is also known as co-occurring treatment, dual disorder or co-morbid disorder, and can also be called co-occurring disorder. Individuals who have sought help through California rehabilitation centers have found that intensive treatment for dual diagnosis is the best route for treatment. Psychiatric illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, severe anxiety, depression and anti-social personality disorder. Psychological illnesses can include substance abuse of drugs and/or alcohol, gambling addiction, sex addiction or eating disorders.
Drug treatment centers claim to have had problems with dual diagnosis because it is difficult to separate the symptoms of each of the disorders. Often times the symptoms of the chemical dependency problem can mimic the symptoms of the psychiatric illness and vice versa. Symptoms of drug abuse can include paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, extreme anxiety and changes in body patterns all of which can be characterized by symptoms of mental illness disorders. Admission at the level of dual diagnosis must be made carefully and by a medical professional, if not a team of medical professionals. It is suggested that individuals with co-occurring disorders utilize the services of a residential drug treatment center for treatment to be most effective. Dual diagnosis treatment programs are being developed to treat both disorders together, which are the optimal way to treat dual diagnosis.