Facts About Comorbidity

Facts About Comorbidity Social Anxiety Disorder Related Conditions Print The Comorbidity of Two Disorders By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 03, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 21, 2020 Comorbidity means having more than one diagnosis. Getty / DrAfter123 More in Social Anxiety Disorder Related Conditions Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment and Therapy Coping Work and School In simple terms, comorbidity refers to the presence of more than one disorder in the same person. For example, if a person is diagnosed with both social anxiety disorder (SAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), they are said to have comorbid (meaning co-existing) anxiety and depressive disorders.?? Other conditions that are seen to overlap include physical ailments such as diabetes, cardiovascular illness, cancer, infectious diseases, and dementia. Mental disorders that tend to show comorbidity also include eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. History of the Term The term comorbidity was coined in the 1970s by A.R. Feinstein, a renowned American doctor, and epidemiologist. Feinstein demonstrated comorbidity through the example of how people who suffered from rheumatic fever also usually suffered from multiple other diseases.?? Since that time, comorbidity has come to be associated with the presence of multiple mental or physical illnesses in the same person. Prevalence Its not uncommon for people to suffer from two disorders or illnesses at once. Comorbidity in mental illness can include a situation where a person receives a medical diagnosis that is followed by the diagnosis of a mental disorder (or vice versa), or it can involve the diagnosis of a mental disorder that is followed by the diagnosis of another mental disorder.?? A 2009 large cross-sectional national epidemiological study of comorbidity of mental disorders in primary care in Spain published in the Journal of Affective Disorders showed that among a sample of 7936 adult patients, about half had more than one psychiatric disorder. Furthermore, in the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey, 51 percent of patients with a diagnosis of major depression also had at least one anxiety disorder and only 26 percent of them had no other mental disorder. However, in the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology Study, 48.6 percent of patients with a  diagnosis of major depression also had at least one anxiety disorder and 34.8 percent of them had no other mental disorder. Challenges Overlap of medical conditions with psychiatric conditions is a significant challenge for healthcare professionals and creates additional costs for the healthcare system.?? For example, a person diagnosed with both diabetes and depression would be treated for both conditions, but consideration for overlap between medications and symptoms would need to be coordinated by the various health care professionals offering treatment. If you live with multiple conditions or disorders, it is important that your doctor is aware of all medications and over-the-counter drugs you are taking, to ensure the risk of medication interactions is reduced. Prevention Healthcare professionals also play a role in the prevention of comorbidity. For example, if social anxiety disorder is left untreated for a long period of time, a person may also develop depression and/or substance abuse in response to the anxiety symptoms.?? At a broader level, coordination between primary doctors and mental health professionals is key to preventing comorbid conditions. If youve been diagnosed with a physical and/or mental health condition, keep good records of the care that you receive from various professionals, so that each can be aware of the various treatments you are receiving.?? A Word From Verywell If you feel that you have symptoms of more than one mental disorder or those of a physical health condition in addition to a mental disorder, it is important to consult with your primary care physician or mental health professional to determine the best course of action. The unique combination of symptoms that you experience will determine whether medication and/or therapy is best for your situation.