Have you ever heard a word that compels you to think about its meaning? Well, one such word that has recently struck my head is comorbidity. This word left me wondering what is comorbidity in psychology. So, if you also come across any such thoughts in your head and you are searching for their meaning here and there then don’t worry as this particular writing will provide you with all the information. In this piece of writing, you will find out the meaning of comorbidity in psychology, its causes, and how it is related to mental health.
If you are wondering what is comorbidity in psychology then let me tell you that comorbidity in psychology refers to the presence of two or more disorders or diseases in an individual. To know about comorbidity in brief continue reading.
What Is Comorbidity In Psychology?
In psychology, Comorbidity is defined as the foremost disease or condition that co-occurs with another disease or condition but is majorly independent of it. These two diseases or conditions can be physical, mental, or it can be a combination of both.
Comorbidity is quite common and it will disturb the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease or condition. If we talk about mental health then comorbidity is referred to as the presence of multiple psychiatric disorders in a particular person.
An example of comorbidity is a person suffering from both anxiety and depression disorders. Comorbidity might cause challenges in clinical practice because the symptoms of one disease or disorder might overlap with the symptoms of other diseases or disorders. To determine comorbidity one needs an integrated and comprehensive approach to assessment and treatment.
What Are The Causes Of Comorbidity?
Now that you have understood what is comorbidity in psychology let’s start discussing the causes of comorbidity. Well, there might be several causes such as biological, genetic, environmental, etc that accelerate comorbidity. Below we are going to throw light on the cause of comorbidity so make sure to read it carefully.
1. Genetic Factor
Comorbidities can be caused by your genes. If you have some genetic vulnerabilities then there is a higher chance of you getting mood disorders, depression disorder, anxiety disorder, etc.
2. Biological Factor
If your neurochemical imbalances your brain will face structural abnormalities. The dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary can also cause various disorders.
3. Psychological Factor
Psychological factors can also contribute to comorbidities. If you are facing personality traits, cognitive behavior, and coping strategies then it will contribute to comorbidities.
4. Environmental Factor
Our environment can also be the cause of comorbidities. Your life experiences, traumatic events, chronic stress, childhood trauma, etc will increase the chances of getting multiple disorders.
5. Physical Health Conditions
It is rightly said that “Health Is Wealth”. If you are not doing physically fine then you will end up getting depressed or sad and as a result you will get multiple disorders.
How Are Comorbidities And Mental Health Related To Each Other?
The comorbidities and mental health closely relate to each other. The comorbidity refers to two or more disorders occurring in the same person whereas mental health encompasses the broad range of conditions that affect the psychological well-being of a person. Also, comorbidity will also affect the clinical assessment and treatment of the disease or disorder because one disorder or disease may overlap the effects of another.
Wrapping Up!
Mental health is a serious concern that one should pay attention to. Just like your physical health your mental health also matters. So, if you ever face any issue that leads to stress and anxiety, make sure to talk about it with your loved ones. Also, getting help from a professional will help you to decrease the ill effects of the disorder. Mental health is also important so be vocal about it. If you ever need a companion to share your thoughts make sure to drop a comment in the comment box. We are always here for you. For much such informative writing make sure to get back to healthfittalks.
Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions-
Q1. Does comorbidity and schizophrenia relate to each other?
Ans. Yes, comorbidity and schizophrenia relate to each other. Various disorders like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc may co-exist with schizophrenia.
Q2. Why is comorbidity a problem?
Ans. Comorbidity is a problem because the symptoms of one disease or disorder may interfere with the symptoms of another disorder or disease.