subject: How To Properly Assess Individuals With Dual Diagnosis [print this page] A person with mental disorder and under drug abuse is suffering from dual diagnosis, also known as co-existing or co-occurrng conditions. Due to the complexity of interactions linked to these disorders, physicians who examine dual diagnosis sufferers usually encounter challenges in doing their job. The following article offers guidelines on how doctors may properly examine individuals experiencing dual diagnosis.
It's significant for doctors from dual diagnosis center who are examining sufferers of dual diagnosis to possess better understanding of the medical history of their client, specially with regards to the patient's psychiatric condition and substance use or abuse. Clinicians should include information such as all the substances used by the client since first use, family history of addiction, as well as previous treatment. The mental illness history of the client may also serve as a key in determining the possible interactions between mental illness or mental disorder and substance use or addiction.
Physicians are suggested to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) in giving the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and mental problems. DSM-IV enables the doctors to differentiate the casual factors, thus helping them determine whether the patient is really experiencing dual diagnosis. The manual also provides certain criteria for the substance-induced mental disorders of the dual diagnosis victims. It explains that an individual having such condition only experiences psychotic symptoms when influenced. This only indicate that the patient wouldn't be diagnosed with separate psychotic illness.
It's also essential for doctors to have keen observation of their client over time to distinguish the separate symptoms of mental health and substance. Keep in mind that a clinician may not obtain proper diagnosis of the client's illness in a one-time interview. The majority of dual diagnosis rehabilitation centers offer drug treatment programs focusing on managing substance abuse first prior to mental disorder. Clinicians then are required to have more exact evaluation and diagnosis if the signs and symptoms found on their client are due to either mental illness or drug abuse after having some time of not using it.
Diagnosing such mental problem requires skills and expertise. That's why clinicians must have that special abilities in identifying this kind of condition to avoid misdiagnosis and to ensure health and safety to their patients. With the above-mentioned guidelines, doctors are able to properly and accurately assess whether their client has dual diagnosis or not. And through proper evaluation, they might be able to come up with the best and right therapy for the victim.
