Because the symptoms a person with dual diagnosis has are identified in two parts, it’s sometimes common for one diagnosis to be missed; the symptoms associated with any major psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder or personality disorder are often identified first, while the issues associated with abuse of alcohol and other drugs are identified last.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

• Significant impairment or distress resulting from substance abuse
• Failure to fulfill roles at work, home or school
• Persistent substance abuse in physically hazardous situations
• Continued substance abuse despite relationship or financial problems

Drug and/or alcohol abuse may or may not involve physiological dependence or tolerance.  The symptoms that do indicate dependency or addiction are as follows:

• Compulsion and preoccupation with obtaining a drug or drugs
• Loss of control over use
• Continued use despite negative consequences
• Tendency for relapse after period of abstinence
• Drug induced behavior (aggression, irritability, changes in thinking or mood)
• Increased tolerance and withdrawal

Oftentimes, a person with dual diagnosis experiences more severe and chronic medical, social and emotional problems than if they were to have just one diagnosis. They’re more susceptible not only to alcohol and/or drug relapse but also a relapse of their mental health problems.

The evidence that people with mental health illness are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs, or that those who abuse alcohol and other drugs are more likely to develop some form of mental health illness, indicates that the causes of psychiatric illness and drug and alcohol abuse are complex. This conclusion is best outlined in the statements below:

• Drug use can cause psychiatric symptoms and mimic psychiatric syndromes
• Drug use can initiate or worsen a psychiatric disorder
• Drug use can mask psychiatric symptoms and syndromes
• Drug withdrawal can cause psychiatric symptoms and mimic psychiatric disorders
• Psychiatric behaviors can mimic drug use problems
• Drug and alcohol abuse can make side effects from medication worse and more likely to occur

Treatment Options at Rose Hill

The term dual diagnosis is also used to refer to people with both a mental health illness and an intellectual disability. At Rose Hill, treatment options for those with a primary diagnosis of mental illness include a range of medication and both cognitive and behavioral programs, such as the Residential Rehabilitation Program, which is designed to help patients struggling with mental illness regain psychiatric stability. The program is built around a multi-stage format that allows staff and patient to work together to create and then follow a customized treatment plan. Based on this plan, patients may participate in one or more of the therapy options offered at Rose Hill, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

DBT is a therapeutic methodology that is used primarily to treat patients with borderline personality disorder, although it can be applied to other types of psychiatric conditions. DBT combines behavioral techniques, cognitive therapy and acceptance to provide skills which help a patient regulate their emotions, tolerate stress and have meaningful interpersonal relationships.

Other therapy options include:  Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Group Therapy, and Individual Mental Health Counseling.

Treatment for people with dual diagnosis may be more effective if the two diagnoses are treated at the same time as the two are often related.  It has been recommended that during treatment administration, both conditions be regarded as primary without one being seen as the cause of the other.

In our residential setting we can focus the time and attention on finding the most effective treatment options for each individual so they can learn to manage their symptoms, achieve their highest level of independence and go on to lead rewarding lives.

Information provided by the Mental Health Association NSW, Inc.

When speaking about mental illness, oftentimes people wonder if it has been passed down in their family.  Though some mental illnesses may be wholly or partially inherited, a person may inherit a gene but not experience the symptoms, or they may not inherit that particular gene even though a parent or grandparent did carry it. Some mental illnesses are caused by biological changes that aren’t genetic, while others are often the result of drugs, difficult life circumstances and stress.  Environmental factors such as excessive stress and substance abuse can play a part by altering the brain’s chemistry, and an individual’s personality can also influence the way they react to life events.

Overall, mental illness seems to be caused by a combination of factors that are unique to each person.

Information provided by the Mental Health Association NSW, Inc. (http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/)

Is there a cure?

Although it’s generally considered there isn’t a cure for many mental illnesses, such as chronic schizophrenia, almost all disorders can be treated. At Rose Hill Center, patients get the insights, medications and coping skills they need to manage their illness.  In addition, by combining medication review and management with intensive therapeutic residential rehabilitation and a continuum of care options, Rose Hill gives patients the tools they need to regain and maintain psychiatric stability.

Information provided by the Mental Health Association NSW, Inc. (http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/)

• Total withdrawal from family, friends and colleagues
• Fear of leaving home; refusing to go to school
• Significant changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns
• Extreme changes in mood variation
• Deteriorating performance at work or school
• Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else can hear or see
• Believing their thoughts are being interfered with by someone or something external
• Spending extravagant/unrealistic amounts of money or talking about unrealistic business/investment ideas
• Believing people are plotting against them
• Believing they have special powers or thinking they are famous or religious political figures

How can Rose Hill help?

If you think your loved one may have a mental illness, it’s important for them to seek help.  Rose Hill Center, a mental health center in Holly, MI, offers extended residential rehabilitation along with therapy programs designed to help adults with mental illness regain control of their lives.  Rose Hill’s residential setting allows staff to focus time and attention on finding the most effective medication and dosage for each individual. By combining pharmacological treatment with an intense therapeutic rehabilitation program, Rose Hill is able to assist individuals in achieving and maintaining psychiatric stability and their highest level of independence.

If you are interested in pursuing treatment at Rose Hill Center, or if you have questions about the program, please visit the Admission Process page or contact us toll-free at (866) 504-2259.

Information provided by the Mental Health Association NSW, Inc. (http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/)

Modeling uses observation to learn a new behavior.

Conditioning utilizes reinforcement to encourage or discourage a behavior. 

Flooding revolves around the technique of systematic desensitization.  In flooding, patients are intentionally exposed to situations that cause their greatest anxiety in order to help them learn to overcome it.

Systematic Desensitization is similar to the flooding technique, but at a slower pace.  The individual is exposed to the anxiety-causing fear first in a role-playing session.  After the person has become acclimated to the role-play, she is then exposed to the actual situation.

Progressive Relaxation requires complete relaxation of a patient’s body to relieve anxiety and stress.   Once relaxed, this technique may be used to relieve existing stress, or to prepare the patient for a systematic desensitization session. 

These are just a few of the behavioral therapy treatment options that are available to patients suffering from mental disorders.  The clinical team at Rose Hill Center determines the best selection of therapies on an individual basis.  Please click on the link below to learn more about our clinical team:

Video: Cheryl Wallace-Vice President of Programs