Ella has experienced a prolonged and deep depression. She turned to legal prescriptions to treat her problem and became addicted. In Ella's case, her primary disorder of depression was complicated with a secondary, substance use disorder, which illustrates
A)how comorbidity occurs.
B)a conversion reaction.
C)an adjustment disorder.
D)how neurosis develops.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more disorders occurring in the same person. In Ella's case, her initial condition of depression (a primary disorder) is complicated by the development of a substance use disorder (a secondary disorder) due to her reliance on prescription medications for treatment, illustrating how comorbidity occurs.

Ella Has Experienced a Prolonged and Deep Depression