If someone has alcoholism, can they be given a second diagnosis of depression? Or is it generally assumed that the alcohol causes the depression?
I'm leaning towards two separate diagnoses, because they depression seems to have run in the family, alcoholism not so much.
(I'm not actually diagnosing someone...it's for a project... XD If I were a doctor I'd hope I wouldn't' have to come on Yahoo Answers for these kinds of questions...)
Let's say I was giving a diagnosis for a psychological disorder... Would saying:
"He suffers from alcohol abuse "
be correct?
2007-04-26 15:34:22 · 11 answers · asked by Elizabeth 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Hi there...
Yes, you are correct---there would be 2 diagnoses. The exact diagnoses would depend on the specific behaviors and symptoms the person was experiencing. For example, a person can have major depressive disorder, single episode, or with recurrent episodes. A person can have alcohol dependence, or alcohol abuse. But YES, the DSM recognizes both alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence as an official diagnosis.
If the person has one mild episode of major depression and is dependent on alcohol (i.e. has withdrawls if not drinking), you would diagnose him with:
Major Depressive Disorder, single episode (DSM code: 296.21)
AND
Alcohol Dependence (DSM code: 303.90)
Hope this helps!
2007-04-26 15:45:32 · answer #1 · answered by EDtherapist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both the illness of depression and the disease of alcoholism, can be present at the same time, and this is known as a dual diagnosis. They both can be hereditary and it's very commonplace for the alcoholic to also suffer from depression, or vice versa. The main difference is in the treatment. Therapy can be used for both problems, however, depression (when clinical, or more serious-such as bipolar disorder) is usually also treated with medication and it's very effective when both are used. Alcoholics can achieve successful sobriety by attending 12 step or AA meetings. Some cities also offer dual-recovery meetings, and they address both issues.
2007-04-26 15:48:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So in my case? Alcoholism runs in the family, though we are happy drunks, and I am an alcoholic. However, I didn't start drinking until I was 17. I became depressed at 9, when I learned the truth about the world. So did the depression come first, and the alcohol part come about as a symptom or what?
AND alcoholism IS NOT A DISEASE - forget that literature stuff - that is just ridiculous....
2007-04-27 00:45:13 · answer #3 · answered by jennainhiding 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Every case is different, but I think typically the primary diagnosis would be depression, with alcoholism as a secondary. Many people with depression "self-medicate" with alcohol. Having a dual diagnosis is not uncommon.
2007-04-26 15:39:32 · answer #4 · answered by Mark G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
alchohol abuse is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom of the disease of alcoholism. And often it is associated with depression, the alcoholic is trying to self medicate, but sometimes, it's just a disease, the alcoholic's body cannot handle the transition of the alcohols into sugars and the drug stays in the blood stream causing all sorts of problems. Make no mistake, alcoholism is a disease. And depression is an entirely separate issue. After all not all those with clinical depression drink. And not all those with alcoholism are clincally depressed.
2007-04-26 15:46:42 · answer #5 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well...alcoholism can be secondary to depression and vice versa. It would be a dual diagnosis, but most likely one would have developed from the other. Depression can cause you to drink and alcohol is a depressant and can cause depression. Substance abuse is listed in the DSM-IV as a mental illness.
2007-04-26 15:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by armello1979 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that the alcoholic turned to alcohol in the first place due to depression. The two can go hand in hand, or be completely separate issues.
2007-04-26 15:39:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
dual diagnosis would seem to be the correct way to go.
A lot of times people self medicate themselves with alcohol due to depression and they end up making the depression worse.
2007-04-28 10:54:57 · answer #8 · answered by erin.savage 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question..It will be tough to come up with a conclusion after reading all the above answers..there is some really great answers..I believe one of the problems with in the community would which came first the drinking or the depression, so I would guess you would need to go case by case to determine a result.....again thanks..
2007-04-27 23:31:36 · answer #9 · answered by I AM BACK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eh i think two separate diagnoses...sometimes depression leads you to drink cause you think its gonna make you not feel anything....and it doesnt for a while you get all numb inside and you just dont give a crap about anything....then it wears off and look those feelings are still there...depression sucks but to drink on top of it sucks even more..been there done that
2007-04-26 15:43:37 · answer #10 · answered by bailie28 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋