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Comorbidity
Help with multiple diagnoses
Psychological symptoms are rarely isolated. Many people struggle with multiple symptoms at the same time, such as depression combined with anxiety, or ADHD with addiction problems. We call this comorbidity.
At U-center, we don't look at a single problem, but at you as a person. Together we examine how your symptoms are connected and adjust the treatment accordingly. You feel that you are not alone and that we are really working on the whole.
Recognize
Understanding comorbidity
Comorbidity means dealing with multiple mental illnesses at the same time. For example, this can be a combination of depression, anxiety symptoms and addiction. Such problems often occur together: people with depression often also have anxiety symptoms, and with addiction we often see a mood disorder. That requires treatment that looks at the whole picture.
At U-center, we specialize in treating comorbidity, also known as multiple problems or multiple diagnoses. We look not only at the individual symptoms, but more importantly at how they affect each other and how we can work together for recovery.
Recognize
Causes of comorbidity
Combinations of psychological symptoms do not just happen. Sometimes they have a common cause, such as a major event or prolonged stress. In other cases, one disorder triggers another, or there is a deeper cause behind several complaints. Often the complaints reinforce each other.
Comorbidity is not always easy to recognize, not for yourself, and sometimes not for our practitioners. For example, have you been suffering from depression or anxiety for a long time? If so, an underlying trauma or addiction may also be at play.
That is why at U-center we look carefully -together with you- at what is really going on. In this way, we offer treatment that goes beyond merely treating symptoms.
expert in multiple diagnosis
We treat multiple disorders parallel
Short and intensive treatment
Quickly make a U-turn in your life
Recovery in a natural environment
Working on body and mind
Examples of multiple diagnoses
Some psychological problems are more common in combinations than others.
Examples of psychological comorbidities that are common are:
Those with depression often also have an anxiety disorder, and vice versa. Both disorders often come from a negative view of yourself and a damaged trust in others.
Addictions are rarely isolated. Nearly half of people with a serious mental disorder also have (had) an addiction. Among people without a mental disorder, the figure is about 19%. Especially in conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD or depression, you regularly see that addiction also plays a role. Sometimes biological factors play a role, causing alcohol or drugs to affect some people faster and more violently. Plus a greater chance of dependence.
Comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder is very common. Have you experienced one or more highly traumatic situations? If so, it can lead to mood disorders, anxiety disorders and addictions. As well as personality disorders, psychosis and dissociative disorders. Often this is because your self-management skills and self-image have become disrupted. People with PTSD are therefore eighty percent more likely to have one or more other mental disorders at the same time.
Autism often accompanies ADHD, depression or an anxiety disorder. Because autism and ADHD are partly due to the same brain functions. As a result, you can't judge some situations well, for example, so you feel anxious more quickly. And that, in turn, can lead to depression.
ADHD has significant comorbidity. For example, someone with comorbid ADHD has depression, addiction, anxiety disorder and/or bipolar disorder (extremely fluctuating moods) at the same time. Why is that? If you are easily distracted and impulsive, for example, you get more criticism. This can make you think you are bad and lead to depression. Alcohol or drugs can reduce your restlessness or negative feelings in the short term. And of ADHD and bipolar disorder, the physical cause is partly the same.
Age can also play a role in the development of comorbidity. More than half of those over 55 with a persistent mental illness are dealing with multiple psychological symptoms at the same time. The same is true for those over 50 with an anxiety disorder or depression. Older people often have fewer opportunities to remain in control themselves, for example due to physical complaints or because their social network is shrinking.
Our approach
How do we treat comorbidity
At U-center, we don't treat one problem in isolation, but look at the whole. Are you dealing with multiple psychological conditions such as addiction and depression? Then we adapt the treatment accordingly: intensive, integral and personal. We combine different forms of treatment and adapt them to your needs.
We look not only at your symptoms, but also at everything around them: your lifestyle, work, relationships and family. All these things influence your mental health and vice versa. Our approach is therefore holistic: we focus on you as a person as a whole.
An appropriate treatment starts with good insight. Therefore, we carefully examine whether there is comorbidity and whether our approach fits your needs.
The basis of our treatment consists of proven methods, such as EMDR and schema therapy. With support materials such as books and exercises, you can continue to actively work on your recovery outside of sessions. If necessary, medication can provide support in this process.
At every stage of treatment, e-health is an integral part of your treatment journey.
Our story
An integrated approach
Comorbidity means having multiple mental illnesses at the same time, such as addiction and depression. These symptoms are often interrelated. Suppose both arose from a traumatic experience: then it makes little sense to address only the depression or only the addiction. Without attention to the underlying trauma, the chances of relapse are high. That's why at U-center we always look at the whole picture.
That's why we believe in an all-in-one approach. We treat you as a person as a whole and not just the individual disorders. With comorbidity it is often difficult to say which disorder plays the biggest role or how exactly they reinforce each other. Precisely then, integrated treatment gives the best chance for lasting recovery.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you start an application, you naturally have a number of questions. Is your question not yet answered? If so, please contact our Communications Center.
At U-center, we can treat many mental health conditions. In particular, we specialize in treating multiple diagnoses at the same time (comorbidity). Yet even we cannot help everyone. See our terms & criteria page for more information.
Just "being there" for someone struggling with multiple mental health issues is often already very valuable. Many people feel alone with their thoughts and feelings, and talking about it can really make a difference. Is your partner, child or friend dealing with comorbidity? If so, consider seeking professional help together. You don't have to go it alone.
At U-center, you can get treatment quickly. You can register online without any obligation. We strive to process your application or contact request within two working days. Your place is usually available within 6 to 7 weeks.
Depending on where you live your insurance may cover your treatment. If you have a Dutch insurance you will have to pay a contribution for additional activities and services. Consult the cost& insurance page for more information about your situation of contact our Communication Center.
Our clinic is equipped with all the necessary facilities and also offers a number of additional amenities. For more information, see our facilities page.