What's serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome, or serotonin toxicity, is an excess of serotonin in the body.

How do you get serotonin syndrome?

Generally, mild and more severe cases of serotonin syndrome is caused by taking too much medication (or a combination of medications) that alter serotonin levels. For example, taking a combination of antidepressants, or taking antidpressants with pain pills may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

How common is serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome is not often reported. However, this condition is thought to be commonly overlooked and may therefore be underdiagnosed.

How do you know if you have serotonin syndrome?

Symptoms of mild serotonin symptoms are easy to miss, so it is important to be aware of the medications that can cause this condition. In general, symptoms may include tremors or involuntary muscle movements, excessive sweating, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, pupil dilation, fever, anxiety, confusion, and ultimately, seizures.

How long does serotonin syndrome last?

The length of serotonin syndrome depends on the severity of the case. Mild serotonin syndrome will resolve on its own within a few days as long as the medication causing the problems is stopped. More severe cases will require medical attention and may take a week or longer to resolve.

What is a co-occurring disorder?

A co-occurring disorder is a condition that exists secondarily to another major health issue. If we use this co-occurring disorders definition to look at mental illness and substance abuse, we can see that turning to drugs or alcohol, which then results in addiction, often happens simultaneously when a patient also has mental health concerns. Since one issue influences and worsens the other, we would call these co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders must be treated together through a specialized program to ensure full recovery.

Why is drug addiction considered a disease?

As with any disease, drug addiction is classified as such because it is a condition that can cause serious and numerous health complications. Additionally, drug addiction is considered a disease because it cannot simply go away on its own—instead, it needs to be treated by experts in the field.

Is alcoholism a mental illness?

Yes. According to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a diagnosable mental illness that occurs in people who experience at least two of the 11 total criteria for this disorder. In fact, alcohol and mental illness have always been connected. Alcohol use can lead to mental health symptoms, and experiencing mental health distress without treatment can lead people to use alcohol as a way to “cope.”

What is a co-occurring disorder?

A co-occurring disorder is when you experience a mental health condition alongside another. If you have depression and anxiety, these would be co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders can be challenging to diagnose and end up putting people at a greater risk for developing addiction struggles as well.

Is addiction a mental illness?

Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol is actually a mental illness. This means that addiction is something that greatly impacts your day-to-day life. Additionally, the fact that addiction is a mental health concern proves that it cannot go away on its own—instead, your ability to heal from addiction and any other mental health concerns relies on professional treatment.

What does dual diagnosis mean in mental health?

When it comes to mental health, dual diagnosis indicates that there is a mental health concern on top of a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis is meant to help people who need treatment for mental health conditions as well as addiction.

What is dual diagnosis?

Simply put, the dual diagnosis definition is that a patient has two or more diagnoses that require treatment. For example, struggling with addiction as well as anxiety would be a dual disorder. With dual diagnosis treatment, you will have the opportunity to heal from both conditions in addition to learning valuable skills to use if you experience symptoms in the future.

What are barriers to mental health care?

Apart from challenges in getting access to care as well as navigating insurance for mental health treatment, the biggest barrier to mental health care is a lack of mental health awareness. Mental health awareness is essential in understanding symptoms of different mental illnesses and actually finding treatment to make your life happier and healthier.

What are evidence-based practices in mental health care?

Evidence-based practices are approaches to mental health care that are scientifically supported and proven to help treat specific disorders and illnesses, such as addiction. Port St. Lucie uses evidence-based practices to provide the best care possible for all of our patients.

How do I take care of my mental health?

The best way to take care of your mental health is to receive professional help through treatments for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Professional programs, like those at Port St. Lucie Hospital, give you access to evidence-based treatments that are proven to help you learn the skills you need to manage various mental health conditions.

Why care about mental health?

As with your overall health, mental health influences the way that you function from day to day. This is why it is so important to care about mental health. If you do not take care of your mental health, you could find it challenging to work, build healthy relationships, and even leave your home.

Can you visit someone who is Baker Acted?

Yes, unless having visitors will be harmful to the person being treated. If a facility wants to restrict visitors from a patient, they must file a written notice documenting the refusal of visitation.

How do you Baker Act a minor in Florida?

Baker Acts must be imposed by the courts or law enforcement, or medical/mental health professionals. If a parent wants to have their child Baker Acted, they should petition the Clerk of Court or contact the police.

Do you call 911 to Baker Act someone?

If a person is actively endangering themself or others while showing symptoms of mental illness then the police can be called to manage the situation. Alternatively, a request can be turned into the court to ask that an individual is mentally evaluated due to safety concerns.

Can you Baker Act yourself?

Yes, a Baker Act can be voluntary. However, to willingly Baker Act yourself you must be considered capable of consenting to treatment. To Baker Act yourself, visit an Emergency Room and describe your symptoms to medical professionals. If necessary, the medical staff will request the Baker Act.

What happens after a Baker Act?

When a person is Baker Acted in Florida they are taken to a mental health hospital that is also a Baker Act receiving facility. A mental evaluation must be performed within 72 hours. After 72 hours if deemed mentally stable the person will be released. If further treatment is mandated, the individual can be admitted to a mental health facility for up to six months.

What does it take to Baker Act someone in Florida?

To be Backer Acted in Florida a person must meet certain criteria. The individual must be showing signs of mental illness, a failure to understand why an evaluation may be needed, and/or posing a threat to themselves or others. Usually, a Baker Act is used in response to a mental health emergency. A Baker Act can be started by medical professionals, the court system, and law enforcement.

What does Baker Acted mean?

Usually, being Baker Acted means that a person was admitted to a mental health hospital to be mentally assessed. The time a person can be held during the Baker Act is 72 hours.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

Yes, we do take insurance, give us a call for a free insurance verification.

HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT LAST?

Treatment can vary from a few days to months. Research shows that the longer a person remains in treatment, the greater the likelihood that long-term recovery will result. As with most aspects of treatment (such as therapy types and program structures), determining ideal length of stay involves an analysis of a number of personal factors.

WHAT TYPES OF THERAPIES ARE USED IN TREATMENT?

Please see our treatments under Programs and Services here

WILL MY FAMILY BE INVOLVED IN MY TREATMENT?

Family involvement is an integral component of an effective treatment program. Though every recovery experience is unique and personal, most effective treatment programs will encourage strong family involvement.

WHAT ARE THE VISITING HOURS AT PORT ST LUCIE HOSPITAL?

Behavioral Services visiting hours, Wed 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Sat 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm, Sunday 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm

How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders? - Port St. Lucie Hospital, Inc.

Did you know that it’s possible to be diagnosed with more than one mental health condition? Some individuals can have more than one condition that impacts their lives. This often includes substance abuse, which typically begins as a habit to mitigate difficult mental illness symptoms. This combination of mental health conditions is referred to as co-occurring disorders. But what does that look like, how common are co-occurring disorders, and where can you seek help?

Port St. Lucie Hospital provides help for adults who are seeking treatment for their substance abuse and mental health conditions. Entering a program that treats your symptoms simultaneously increases the chances of making a full recovery. Port St. Lucie Hospital will help you start your recovery journey on the right foot by teaching you how to navigate co-occurring disorders.

Contents

What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Before getting to the question, “How common are co-occurring disorders?” it’s important to understand what they are and some common signs. An individual with co-occurring disorders has a mental disorder and a substance use disorder. They occur simultaneously but are not always diagnosed at the same time.

These conditions can exist separately, but for most, they are related. This commonly results in amplified symptoms of each condition. In addition, individuals with co-occurring disorders tend to experience more severe symptoms than those who only have one mental health disorder.

Common Signs or Symptoms

As the topic of “How common are co-occurring disorders?” is covered, it’s important to note that diagnosing substance use and mental health conditions should be left to medical professionals. However, being aware of the common signs or symptoms can help individuals know when it’s time to get help. These signs can include:

Isolating from loved ones
Sudden changes in mood and behavior
Difficulty with daily responsibilities
Engaging in risky behavior
Neglecting health and hygiene
Out-of-control substance use
Developing a high substance tolerance
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Dependence on substances to function

Risk Factors

Family history
Genetics
Environmental factors
Stress or responses to stress
Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use

Addiction and mental health struggles often overlap. This is because individuals use substances to self-medicate as a means to escape from difficult symptoms. All of the disorder types and addictions most commonly associated with co-occurrence are treated at Port St. Lucie Hospital.

Since there isn’t just one way to care for addiction and mental health symptoms, your care team will help create a treatment plan designed specifically for you. This will help you find coping skills that work for your diagnosis and your life once you leave the treatment center.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety and substance abuse are among some of the most common pairs to be diagnosed. Individuals with anxiety disorders may self-medicate to cope with anxiety symptoms, which in turn can lead to substance abuse. The dependency on substances then leads to worsening anxiety.

Anxiety disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Mood Disorders

These are classified by mood disruptions that impact an individual’s life. Examples include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. They are frequently linked with substance use because it temporarily remedies the disruptive mood swings caused by altered brain activity. Although it’s common for a treatment program to treat the substance use first, treating them together increases the chances of a successful start to recovery.

Psychotic Disorders

These are characterized by changes in thought and perceptions. Examples include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The titular symptom is psychosis, which is a temporary state that causes delusions and hallucinations. Due to underlying genetic predispositions, individuals at a high risk of having schizophrenia are also vulnerable to abusing substances.

Psychotic disorders and substance abuse can sometimes be difficult to differentiate because psychosis can be a symptom of drug or alcohol abuse. Some individuals who abuse addictive substances can experience psychosis while taking substances or going through withdrawal. However, to receive this diagnosis, an individual must experience psychotic symptoms when they’re not using drugs or alcohol.

Personality Disorders

These conditions are characterized by unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns. The impacts of personality disorders can be far-reaching, including in work, relationships, and ability to accomplish daily tasks. A majority of individuals who have one of these conditions and co-occurring substance abuse have a dependency on drugs rather than alcohol. Some types of this condition that commonly co-occur with substance use are:

Anti-social personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Narcissistic personality disorder

Eating Disorders

These conditions are characterized by a body image obsession and irregular eating habits. A few of the most common types include:

Binge eating disorder
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa

Individuals who struggle with anorexia nervosa with binge eating and purging habits and bulimia nervosa are at a higher risk of abusing substances. Genetic factors that increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder are also found in those who are at an increased risk of substance abuse.

How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

So, how common are co-occurring disorders? Co-occurrence is quite common with approximately 8.1 million reported adults in the United States having co-occurring disorders, 40% of which have a substance use disorder. Co-occurrence can refer to any combination of conditions without the presence of substance use. However, it is often used to describe someone living with a mental health condition in combination with substance use.

Treatment Options for Co-Occurring Disorders

Now that you have an answer to the question, “How common are co-occurring disorders?” it’s time to find out what treatment options are available for those seeking help and where they can get it. Port St. Lucie Hospital specializes in helping individuals who are struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders. The hospital staff has the experience and resources you need to receive a diagnosis or better treat the one you already have.

Medical Detox

The first step to recovery begins with an assessment of your history of drug and alcohol use in addition to suspected or diagnosed mental health conditions. This gives medical staff the information they need to tailor your treatment plan to your needs. Many patients begin with a medical detox before proceeding to the dual diagnosis program to ensure they can safely progress through treatment.

Here, you will receive 24/7 medical supervision from a team of licensed physicians and nurses. They create a safe and supportive environment to help you through withdrawal. In addition to monitoring, the team can provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) depending on your needs. In this way, we can sometimes stop withdrawal symptoms before they begin.

After completing the medical detox process, patients have several options for continuing care for their co-occurring substance use and mental health condition, including the dual diagnosis program. There are a variety of treatment and therapy options built into the dual diagnosis plan. As a result, every patient at the center receives a comprehensive treatment plan to meet their needs.

Dual Diagnosis Program

Patients in the inpatient dual diagnosis program continue to receive the necessary resources and support from staff to cope with co-occurrence. Conditions are simultaneously treated to help patients cope with the full range of their symptoms,

The length of time spent in the dual diagnosis program can depend on the severity of your symptoms, your recovery needs, and your goals. However, the main goal of your treatment is to discover and improve upon important skills that will help you stay sober after returning home. 12-step programming can benefit individuals seeking a community of others who share their experiences and can keep them accountable on their recovery journey.

What you learn in the dual diagnosis program will help you stay sober while facing life’s biggest stressors. The provided resources, such as therapy, will help you learn to rely on healthy coping mechanisms rather than depend on harmful substances. They will also help you take on challenges outside of treatment.

Get The Help You Deserve

Now that you have an answer to “How common are co-occurring disorders?” and know of some available treatment options, it’s time to get help. If you are seeking treatment for a co-occurring disorder, Port St. Lucie Hospital offers specialized addiction treatment plans like the dual diagnosis program to help you manage all of your symptoms.

To learn more about how Port St. Lucie Hospital can help you reach recovery, call us at (772) 335-0400 or fill out an online confidential contact form. We’ll be right by your side when you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery. Long-term recovery is possible with the resources and support of the medical staff at Port St. Lucie Hospital.

How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders?