Comorbid Disorders Among Women

By: Shabria L. Mayne, MS, LPC, LCMHC, NCC, DBH Candidate at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Heath Studies, written for the course DBH 9033: Emerging Trends in Integrated Care

Comorbid Disorders Among Women: The Impacts of Trauma on Women’s Health and Applied Treatment Strategies using the Biodyne Model

Abstract

The relationship between physical and mental health is explained by direct and indirect effects of past mental and physical health (Ohrnberger et al., 2017, p.43). The prevalence of traumatic experiences throughout developmental years has a significant impact on the manifestation of future comorbid conditions, particularly among women. Exposure to trauma progresses into biological changes and stress responses. For instance, various studies indicate women to have an increased prevalence of mental health diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other internalizing disorders like depression and anxiety. Correspondingly, this correlates to higher rates of diagnosed medical conditions such as high blood pressure/hypertension, thyroid diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and substance abuse related disorders. A practical therapeutic encounter will be examined for the purpose of exploring this notion. Additionally, examples of effective, ongoing treatment planning employed using the Biodyne Model within integrated healthcare will be provided.

Purpose/Objectives

After reading the research presented along with the applicable case scenario, readers will be able to:

1. Identify criteria for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women presenting with considerable symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression.

2. Compare the relationship between extensive experiences with childhood trauma and the development of adverse adult functioning.

3. Recognize the connection between comorbid medical diagnosis and trauma-specific mental health diagnosis.

4. Evaluate the best treatment plan to address this comorbid concern based on the Biodyne Model within integrated care delivery.

Target Audience:

Applicable to all medical and behavioral health practitioners working in various healthcare settings with advanced (applied theory) level of experience.

Findings:

There is a proven correlation between a person’s medical health and mental health. Further, the prevalence of diagnosed comorbid conditions is high among women (Mayne, 2024). A study by Davis et al. (2022) concluded that the economic burden of treating PTSD is in the billions of dollars and a high percentage of this treatment is with civilian women. The use of integrated healthcare not only treats patients therapeutically and medically, but also addresses the social determinants of health in measuring cost-effective treatment outcomes.

Key words: Trauma; Childhood trauma; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Women’s healthcare; Women’s stress; Women’s mental health; Cardiovascular disease; Integrated healthcare; Comorbid disorders; Biodyne Model

Introduction

Many patients seeking treatment in medical and behavioral health settings have preexisting histories of trauma but are often unaware of the connection between their trauma history and presenting concerns. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as an emotional response to an extreme or distressing event, usually placing one at risk for serious harm or death, which results in a lasting emotional response (American Psychological Association, 2021). Long-term reactions to traumatic experiences may include unstable emotions, anxiety-provoked flashbacks, strained relationships, sleep disturbances, and physical symptoms. As it relates to gender, women have a 2-3x higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men (Olff, 2017). There are many research studies aimed to consider the high prevalence of comorbid health-related conditions among women. This linkage assumes that there is a significant association between mental health and physical health. For instance, Ohrnberger et al. (2017) found that present physical and mental health are explained by direct and indirect effects of past mental and physical health (p.43). Therefore, women diagnosed with a pre-existing trauma-related mental health disorder may also suffer from medically related health concerns such as cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Cardiovascular Disease

The American Heart Association (2017) identifies cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. To elaborate, blood flow to different areas of the body may be reduced. This reduction can be caused by a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries or due to blood clots. There are diverse types of cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease, valve disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. “There are various physical symptoms of cardiovascular disease, including chest pain, or noticeable changes in heartbeat, dizziness, or lightheadedness, swelling of the extremities (legs, ankles, or feet), and uncommon skin rashes” (Mayne, 2023). Additionally, the CDC identifies risk factors for cardiovascular disease to include high blood pressure, tobacco use, obesity, stress, diabetes, and genetics related to family history (CDC, 2023). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the America (2023).

Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is a diagnosed medical condition in which the thyroid does not produce the appropriate number of hormones. According to the American Thyroid Association (n.d.), thyroid disease is a common occurrence among Americans, and the disease impacts more women than men with women being 5-8x more likely to have thyroid problems (2016). There are two prominent types of thyroid disease; hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), both of which may be caused by preexisting conditions or may be genetic in nature. Hyperthyroidism and anxiety are interrelated due to its symptoms, and patients with hyperthyroidism may experience heightened anxiety. For instance, while current research does not support the claim that hyperthyroidism is caused by anxiety, hyperthyroidism can significantly increase stress hormone levels in patients and exacerbate PTSD symptoms such as increased heart rate, hyperactivity, and agitation (Mayne, 2023).

Trauma

Trauma Defined

While trauma is intricately linked to acts of violence, it is unique to the individual experiencing the event. Varying traumatic experiences may account for instances related to abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional), bullying, loss of a loved one or a significant breakup, child neglect, poverty, racism, accidents, and medical interventions. Exposure to traumatic experiences can have immediate and lasting effects on one’s mental health. For instance, exposure to trauma progresses into biological changes and stress responses. This includes a “complex interchange of nervous, endocrine, and immune mechanisms that involves activation of the sympathetic-adreno-medullar (SAM) axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and immune system” (Chu et al., 2022). Further, people impacted by trauma may develop maladaptive behaviors, to cope with this stress response, directly contributing to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, cognitive impairment, and chronic heart disease. Table 1 defines distinct types of traumas experienced and their unique estimated prevalence.

Epidemiology

More than half of all women will be exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, according to the National Center for PTSD (Novotney, 2023). As stated earlier, the body’s stress response due to exposure to traumatic incidents can have adverse physiological effects. For example, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis controls the body’s stress response. According to Sheng et al., (2021) critical developmental stages must be attained to warrant proper functionality of the HPA axis and appropriate behavioral and physiological stress-responses in adulthood. A physical or emotional stressor may trigger an HPA axis response and because the thyroid is so associated with the HPA axis, any dysfunction in that axis will impact thyroid functioning. Furthermore, stress may increase inflammation in the body causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. The “fight or flight” response is explained by Chu et al., (2022) as “increased blood flow and pressure to active muscles and decreased blood flow to organs not required for rapid motor activity, increased rate of blood coagulation, cellular metabolism, muscle strength, mental activity, blood glucose concentration, and glycolysis in the liver.”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

One of the most known stressor-related mental health disorders is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health disorder that some individuals may develop after experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms are emotional, cognitive, and behavioral in nature and childhood trauma increases the severity and likelihood of developing the diagnosis. Figure 1 displays a simplistic version of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder.

Women are at greater risk for developing PTSD and experience symptoms longer than men due to a higher exposure to interpersonal and high-impact trauma like sexual abuse. Further, it takes women 4 years to be diagnosed and obtain appropriate treatment (Companies, 2023). Repeated traumatic experiences during critical developmental years are associated with poorer early childhood brain development.

Galli et al. (2021) sought to research the role of trauma in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The authors considered various studies focusing on childhood adversities, such as family conflict and neglect, and how psychological factors created a 50% higher risk of developing CVD (2021). Overall, the authors confirmed that childhood trauma has a greater impact on adult cardiovascular health, and that the burden is worse in women due to the types of traumas experienced (p.10). Furthermore, women experience more distress than men on almost all symptoms identified on The Traumatic Experience Checklist (TEC). Women are also more likely to experience internalizing disorders like anxiety and depression (Cherry, K. 2021).

Trauma-Informed Care and the Biodyne Model

Trauma-Informed treatment is a therapeutic approach which primarily focuses on the belief that trauma can significantly impact an individual’s well-being, including one’s physical and mental health. A trauma-informed approach highlights three primary elements: (1) understanding trauma prevalence (2) understanding how trauma affects all individuals involved and (3) responding by putting such knowledge into practice (SAMHSA, 2012, p.4). The benefits of trauma-informed care are that it employs an integrated healthcare approach during treatment to arrive at specified goals responding to comorbid conditions. Figure 2 highlights the guiding principles of trauma-informed care employed within the integrated healthcare system.

Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and prolonged exposure therapy are proven effective in treating patients diagnosed with PTSD. Comparable to principles of the Biodyne Model, trauma-informed care allows patients to be fully engaged in their treatment process through interdisciplinary collaboration, treatment is fostered through integrated professional and community support, and the social determinants of health are considered in understanding the patient’s relationship to his/her presenting concerns. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (2019) explains that building relationships across the service system, provider networks, and the local community boosts trauma-informed care continuity when patients are involved in multiple services at one time. Table 2 depicts the stages of behavioral health integration.

The goal of the Biodyne Model is to produce life change. In assessing the medical and mental health impacts of trauma throughout one’s developmental years, it is crucial to consider which techniques can be employed to support this goal. For instance, the Biodyne Model uses various treatment strategies such as relaxation, systematic desensitization, reinforcement schedules, homework assignments, cognitive restructuring, and role playing (Cummings et al, 2013). Additionally, preventative, or management efforts can be offered from professional to patient via psychoeducation, linkage to community health referrals, and health equity. Health equity can be achieved when everyone is afforded the same opportunities to be as healthy as possible. This may be accomplished by increasing provider awareness on health disparities, expanding healthcare coverage, improving existing coverage, and creating local efforts to not solely educate, but create opportunities for healthier standards of living (Mayne, 2023).

In addition, creating a clinical pathway which engages notions of the Biodyne Model, applies trauma-informed principles, utilizes a professional referral system, and links community support services considering the social determinants of health may establish an innovative standard of practice. Early psychoeducation efforts can be promoted through community engagement to encourage health and wellness, and further facilitate preventative strategies. Upon entering treatment, warm handoffs between medical doctors and behavioral create a foundational understanding of diagnosis and appropriate treatment considerations. Additionally, culturally sensitive, peer-led community and health care professional education is a necessary step in CVD prevention (Mehta et al., 2023).

Conclusion

There is a proven link between a person’s medical health and mental health, and the prevalence of comorbid conditions is high among women. Understanding the physiology of trauma in conjunction with developing medical conditions is a concern worth continual research. In the meantime, the utilization of integrated healthcare treatment in managing these interconnected issues is significant to reducing cost, prevalence, and morbidity.