a teen girl wondering about secondary conditions and comorbidityTreating A Secondary Diagnosis at Ascend

It’s not unusual for teens who need mental health treatment to suffer from multiple, concurrent conditions or symptoms. Whether the secondary condition is related to behavioral health or a physical condition, Ascend has strategies to address everything your child is dealing with. While we do offer comprehensive treatment for teens with a dual diagnosis related to substance abuse, there are some conditions and symptoms that need to be considered a little differently. If your child is suffering from disordered eating or high functioning autism, our treatment program can still help — even though we don’t treat these issues as primary disorders.

What Is a Secondary Diagnosis?

A secondary condition or diagnosis is one that coexists with the primary reason for your child’s admission. This second condition may not be the reason for their stay with us, but it still affects our personalized treatment plans and it’s vital to our documentation processes. These conditions cannot be ignored while treating the primary condition because they affect everything your child thinks and feels.

When it comes to disordered eating and autism specifically, we are equipped to handle them as secondary conditions even though they aren’t the primary diagnosis. Our team takes into consideration best practices when working with these conditions and takes a holistic approach to treatment planning.

Why Ascend?

When a child suffers from multiple disorders, there is often a hierarchy of which ones should be treated first. Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, Ascend may just be the right fit for your teen. If you want to learn more about how we address secondary conditions while treating your child, please reach out to our admissions team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are secondary mental health conditions in teens?

Secondary mental health conditions are disorders that occur alongside a teen’s primary diagnosis, such as anxiety coexisting with depression or ADHD accompanying autism. These other mental health conditions in teens play a significant role in how they think, feel, and respond to treatment, making it essential to address them holistically.

Why is it important to treat secondary mental health conditions?

Secondary conditions don’t just sit quietly in the background. Instead, they directly impact how teens respond to treatment for their primary diagnosis. Ignoring anxiety, for example, could mean a teen struggles to fully engage with therapy for depression. By addressing every type of mental health issue, we create a stronger foundation for healing so that no piece of the puzzle is left unresolved.

How does Ascend customize care for teens with secondary conditions?

At Ascend, we believe no two teens are the same, so their care shouldn’t be either. For teens with secondary diagnoses like autism, disordered eating, or other mental health conditions, we weave tailored strategies into their treatment plans. This could mean adding emotional regulation exercises or creating a safe space to address sensory challenges. Every plan reflects what each teen needs to thrive.

Can secondary diagnoses change the treatment focus over time?

Absolutely. Treating mental health is like peeling back layers — once a primary diagnosis is stabilized, secondary conditions like ADHD or anxiety might take center stage. At Ascend, our team stays flexible, adjusting focus as teens grow and heal, ensuring that every step of their journey builds toward lasting success.