The Diagnostic Process Involved in Dual Diagnosis
The term dual diagnosis has not become a part of the common vernacular. Doctors know about it, and mental health professionals do as well. You may not hear about it until you are diagnosed, though.
Dual diagnosis treatment in Orange County is available for those who need it. You might be frightened or intimidated if you hear this term, though.
In this article, we’ll talk about what dual diagnosis is, as well as the diagnostic process that goes into testing for it. Reading about these things should put you in a better mindset if you receive this diagnosis or if someone in your life receives it.
What Exactly is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to an individual who is found to have both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder. As you might imagine, this happens fairly frequently. This is because those who have mental health issues are likely to self-medicate.
What is the Diagnostic Process Behind It?
The diagnostic process behind dual diagnosis continues to evolve. At the moment, doctors will use what is called the BioPsychoSocial approach. It is considered to be the latest and most advanced way of determining what mental health condition an individual is likely to have.
With this criterion, a doctor will look at a patient’s self-described condition and take that into account. They’ll also look at the patient’s developmental or chronic disorders diagnosed earlier.
Next, they’ll look at the patient’s social and economic situation. Finally, the doctor will look at how well this person functions. Based on these factors, the doctor will ascertain whether a dual diagnosis is warranted.
What Should You Do if You Receive this Diagnosis?
If a doctor gives you a dual diagnosis or tells you that it’s very likely this is what’s going on with you, you always have the option of seeking out a second opinion. This diagnosis will make a huge difference in how you conduct yourself going forward, so that’s not a bad idea.
If you trust your doctor, you might be satisfied with the diagnosis. If so, then the next thing that it would be appropriate to do is ask them about what the best path forward is for you.
It’s very likely that the doctor will want to put you on medication that’s appropriate for someone with your condition. They might recommend that as an alternative to the self-medicating you’ve been doing. Of course, if you’re abusing drugs or alcohol or you’re addicted to them, getting you clean will be necessary first.
The doctor might recommend a treatment program if this is happening to you. Once you get clean, you can talk to the doctor about what medication they’d like to administer.
Dual diagnosis might sound scary, but you shouldn’t view it as a negative. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to get well. With a doctor’s help, you should be able to conquer your substance abuse or dependence and start learning about the mental health disorder with which you’re afflicted.
