Treatment for more than one mental illness is not fundamentally different from treating just one. It is still based on a foundation of therapy and medications if appropriate, along with supportive and alternative therapies, and group and family support if possible. The difference is that the treatment professionals have to include both or multiple mental illnesses in the goals of care and the plan for treatment.
What this looks like in real life depends on each individual. But generally it means that therapy sessions include discussions of all symptoms, both mental illnesses, and how they impact each other. For example, if a patient is struggling with bipolar disorder and past trauma, therapists will explore how traumatic memories may trigger episodes of depression or contribute to psychotic symptoms during mania. Therapists can help this patient by helping them process the trauma and learn how to cope with it in a healthier way, so it does not exacerbate bipolar symptoms.
Living With Multiple Mental Health Issues
The first and most important thing you can do if coping with more than one mental illness or mental health issue is to seek treatment. But not all treatment is the same. The best choice is to work with a facility that is experienced in helping patients manage co-occurring conditions. Treating more than one mental disorder is complicated, but there are facilities and professionals who specialize in just this kind of care.
If possible, involve people you care about in therapy sessions or psychoeducation. In therapy, you will learn a lot more about your conditions and how they impact your moods, behaviors, and choices. It’s important to have your family or partner learn more about these as well. They will be better able to support you and have empathy.
While going through treatment and when back at home after any residential care you receive, you can use the tools you learned to cope better with your symptoms. Positive, healthy coping strategies are important for managing symptoms and reducing the risk of symptom relapse. Breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, yoga, exercise, and other relaxation and stress-coping strategies can all help, for instance.
Keep in mind that it is important to find what works for you. Deep breathing may take your mind off your anxiety and help you relax, but yoga may be uncomfortable or cause more anxiety. Whatever helps you the most is what you should use as a coping mechanism. Everyone is different, and there is no single right way to manage multiple mental illnesses.
Above all, keep in mind that living with more than one mental illness is incredibly complicated. There is no single treatment plan that helps everyone. Even when you do find a treatment program that helps you and meets your needs, be patient. It likely will take time, more time than it would for someone with just one mental illness, to see real results. Try not to get frustrated and enlist people who care about you to support you through this journey.