Common Mental Health Disorders That Often Co-Occur

It’s not uncommon for mental health issues to be closely linked with other conditions. This can happen due to a lack of proper therapy, genetic factors, or simply because of the neurochemicals in the brain that cause one disorder. The good news is that identifying two or more co-occurring disorders can help adjust the treatment plan and make it even more effective. Here are some common combinations of mental health disorders that therapists recommend addressing together.

Anxiety and Depression

For people with a persistent anxiety disorder, the risk of developing depression is quite high, and vice versa. A constantly anxious person may feel hopeless and very irritable, which can lead to accompanying depression.

Fortunately, both anxiety and depression are treatable. Sometimes, simply changing your lifestyle, increasing the quantity and quality of sleep, or learning meditation can help. However, it is often recommended to seek help from a specialist.

Post-Traumatic Stress and Depression

A serious trauma, such as the loss of a loved one, assault, or even a car accident, can be a source of anxiety for a long time. PTSD, widely known as the “Vietnam syndrome,” causes intrusive thoughts, sleep problems, and emotional numbness, which can easily lead to depressive symptoms. The feeling of not being able to control the situation can lead to a sense of helplessness and, eventually, a desire to give up. It is necessary to address these two disorders comprehensively to prevent disruptions in your daily life.

Eating Disorders and Depression

Eating disorders are often the result of genetic inheritance, but they can also be a reaction to stress or long-term anxiety. Most often, with depression, appetite decreases and anorexia or exhaustion develops, although bulimia has also been observed. In any case, the basis of both disorders is not hunger, but a state of emotional discomfort.

Anxiety and Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder is often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety for many people. Anxious individuals can easily fixate on significant stimuli, leading to attention instability and “disordered” behavior, which can interfere with normal functioning. Anxious people strive to control the situation, and if this is not possible, their tension only increases.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety

By definition, OCD is itself a subtype of anxiety disorder. But it’s important to know that it can occur along with other types of anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder.

The more anxiety increases, the more a person wants to stop it, resorting to many rituals and developing new habits. The brain becomes fixated on triggers, and anxiety turns into compulsions.

Depression and Addiction

Sometimes anxiety and depressive symptoms can be so strong that a person turns to alcohol or other psychoactive substances for help. Over time, what once helped to silence obsessive thoughts causes sleep problems, and more and more substances are needed. The use of such substances—from nicotine to heroin—can interfere with daily functioning, creating problems at work and in relationships.

Depression and Insomnia

Although insomnia is not a mental illness, sleep problems are often caused by mental issues, including depression and anxiety. And the lack of sleep over a long period only worsens the symptoms. In such situations, it can be difficult to determine independently what came first—the chicken or the egg. In any case, if you notice a sleep disorder in yourself, it is a serious reason to see a specialist.

Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression

People with borderline personality disorder often experience problems with relationships and may feel isolated from society. This same situation leads to serious depressive episodes. In this case, it is recommended to work specifically with borderline personality disorder using behavioral therapy, which aims to teach how to cope with emotions.

For more information on mental health, you can visit the National Institute of Mental Health.