What is a co-occurring disorder?

People with co-occurring disorders, also referred to as dual diagnosis, have both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. These people require an integrated treatment plan that targets both illnesses at once. Mental illness can be classified as anything from minor cases of depression to severe impairments such as schizophrenia and PTSD. Of the 23 million Americans struggling with addiction, nearly 14 million also suffer from some form of mental illness, either stemming from or leading to substance abuse.

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Studies have shown that a great number of college students in the United States battle some form of mental illness.
A 2008 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders measured the prevalence of mental health problems among college students. More than 50 percent of students had a mental health problem at the start of the survey or during a follow up interview two years later.
Mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders. Each illness can affect a student’s academic performance, relationships and health. If left untreated, these disorders can result in substance abuse or addiction.

College can be a stressful time. Students often try to balance work, family and a social life. For many freshmen, college means being away from home for the first time, greater academic demands and more financial responsibilities.
Young adulthood is a critical time in regard to an individual’s mental health. The average age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This disorder generally affects men and women equally.
Students face a variety mental health conditions that can have debilitating effects. The good news is that many of these disorders can be managed by developing healthy habits and seeking professional assistance.

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​What about substance abuse?

What about eating disorders?

Substance abuse is common today on college campuses. According to the 2015 Monitoring the Future survey, 31.9 percent of surveyed college students reported binge drinking in the past two weeks. The report also found that 4.3 percent of surveyed students reported cocaine use and 4.6 percent of surveyed students reported marijuana use.

​Students with mental illness are at greater risk than the general population for developing drug or alcohol problems. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that first-year college students with PTSD symptoms were at risk for alcohol- and drug-related problems.
Many college students with social anxiety disorder grapple with self-consciousness in social situations. A 2010 study published in the journal Behavioral Therapy found that female students more often reported drinking in social situations to cope with aversive emotions.

Eating disorders are debilitating mental health disorders that disturb an individual’s eating behavior and weight regulation. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
These mental health conditions often co-occur with disorders such as depression or anxiety. Eating disorders affect both genders, but women and girls are 2.5 times more likely than men and boys to develop the disease.
Eating disorders frequently occur in teens and college-aged individuals. Ninety-five percent of eating disorders occur in people aged 12 to 25, according to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.
In 2005, researchers at the University of Michigan, Vanderbilt University and Stanford University recruited a random sample of college students for an internet survey. The purpose of the survey was to examine the prevalence and persistence of eating disorders among college students.
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College Students & Mental Illness: Information and Resources. (n.d.). drugrehab.com/co-occurring-disorder/students-mental-health/

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