Adjustment Disorders
Adjustment disorders are excessive reactions to stress that involve negative thoughts, strong emotions and changes in behavior. The reaction to a stressful change or event is much more intense than would typically be expected. This can cause a lot of problems in getting along with others, as well as at work or school.
Work problems, going away to school, an illness or any number of life changes can cause stress. Most of the time, people get used to such changes within a few months. But if you have an adjustment disorder, you continue to have emotional or behavioral responses that can make you feel more anxious or depressed.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of adjustment disorder. These symptoms can vary from person to person. You experience more stress than would generally be expected in response to a trying event, and this stress causes a lot of problems in your life.
Adjustment disorders affect how you feel and think about yourself and the world. They also may affect your actions or behavior.
Some examples include:
• Feeling sad, hopeless or not enjoying things you used to enjoy.
• Crying often.
• Worrying, or feeling anxious, nervous, jittery or stressed out.
• Feeling irritable or like you can't handle anything and don't know where to start.
• Having trouble sleeping.
• Not eating enough.
• Having difficulty concentrating.
• Having difficulty with daily activities.
• Withdrawing from family and friends who support you socially.
• Not doing important things, such as going to work or paying bills.
• Thinking about suicide or acting on those thoughts.
Symptoms of an adjustment disorder start within three months of a stressful event. These symptoms last no longer than six months after the end of the stressful event. But constant or lasting adjustment disorders can continue for more than six months. This is especially true if the stressful event is ongoing, such as being unemployed.
Treatment Options
• Individual psychotherapy using cognitive-behavioral approaches. Cognitive-behavioral approaches are used to improve age-appropriate problem-solving skills, communication skills, impulse control, anger management skills and stress management skills.
• Family therapy. Family therapy is often focused on making needed changes within the family system, like improving communication skills and family interactions. An additional area of focus is to increase family support among family members.
• Peer group therapy. Peer group therapy is often focused on developing and using social skills and interpersonal skills.
• Medicine. Medicines have very limited value in the treatment of adjustment disorders