Mapping out 'brain change' in dual diagnosis patients to cut suicide rates

In 10 seconds? Scientists have made a huge leap forward in understanding the links between mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide. Comparing the molecular profile of brains could be a game-changer for 'dual diagnosis' sufferers who have an elevated suicide risk.

What's this dual diagnosis? When we are talking about dual diagnosis (DD) we are talking about co-occurring disorders. In other words when someone is suffering from a mental illness and a substance abuse problem at the same time. Common examples are depression and alcoholism or schizophrenia and cannabis abuse. People who have milder mental disorders alongside a drug dependency, such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, and dependence on opioids also fall into this group.