Adjustment disorder
Adjustment disorder is a temporary mental health condition that arises in response to stressful life events, often characterized by symptoms of anxiety and depression. Individuals affected by adjustment disorder may struggle with both emotional and physical symptoms, which can disrupt their daily activities and overall well-being. Common triggers for this disorder include significant life changes such as relationship breakdowns, job loss, illness, or major transitions like moving or marriage.
The symptoms can vary widely, encompassing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, agitation, and anxiety, alongside physical manifestations like sleep disturbances and aches. Different subtypes of adjustment disorder are recognized, based on the predominant symptoms, such as adjustment disorder with depressed mood or with anxiety. Diagnosis typically involves assessing the patient's symptoms in relation to a recent stressor, ruling out other mental health conditions.
Treatment usually involves a combination of therapy—such as cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling—and medication to alleviate symptoms. With appropriate support, most individuals can recover from adjustment disorders, although some may require ongoing strategies to manage stress in the future. Understanding adjustment disorder is crucial for recognizing its impact and facilitating effective coping mechanisms for those affected.
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Adjustment disorder
An adjustment disorder, also known as situational depression or stress response syndrome, refers to a short-term mental condition caused by a stressful event in a person's life. Stress affects people in different ways, and sometimes people have a difficult time handling challenging events in their lives. Adjustment disorders can cause both psychological and physical symptoms. They may also affect a person's behavior. They usually are temporary and treated with a combination of therapy and medication.
Background
An adjustment disorder is a severe reaction to stress. The disorder affects a person's life on many levels and may interfere with a person's ability to complete day-to-day activities. Both children and adults can develop adjustment disorders. A single stressful event or multiple situations may trigger the disorder. It can be caused by factors such as the end of a relationship, job loss, job change, death of a loved one, an illness, an accident, a crime, a major life change (changing schools, moving, marriage, divorce, having a child, or retirement), sexual identity issues, financial troubles, or a natural disaster (flood, hurricane, or fire). Other stressors, such as financial difficulties or problems at home or work, can further add to the disorder.
An adjustment disorder sometimes is compared to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are alike because PTSD occurs in response to an event—a life-threatening event—but different because an adjustment disorder is a short-term illness.
Symptoms of adjustment disorders can range from mild to severe and psychological to physical. They include feelings of depression, sadness, hopelessness, agitation, anxiety, nervousness, low self-esteem, and worry; bouts of crying; lack of appetite; concentration issues; and suicidal thoughts. Other symptoms can be physical, such as shaking and trembling; indigestion; sleep difficulties; heart palpitations; and aches and pains, including headache, stomach discomfort, and chest pains.
An adjustment disorder also may affect people's behavior. They might participate in events or situations that are not considered normal for them. They may withdraw from social events; isolate themselves from other people; stop bathing; refuse to go to work or pay bills; commit crimes, such as acts of vandalism or reckless driving; or act rebellious or impulsive.
Different types of adjustment disorders exist and are classified according to their symptoms. People with adjustment disorder with depressed mood often have feelings of sadness and depression. They cry often and do not enjoy or have any interest in the activities that once brought them happiness. Adjustment disorder with anxiety is marked by feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Individuals with this type usually have trouble concentrating and experience memory problems. People diagnosed with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood typically experience symptoms of both depression and anxiousness.
When individuals begin exhibiting behaviors that are out of the norm for them, they usually are diagnosed with adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct. They may commit crimes or intentionally break the law. Children and adolescents may skip school, steal items from stores or people, or commit acts of vandalism. People who exhibit both behavioral issues and feelings associated with depression typically are diagnosed with adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct. Individuals with adjustment disorder unspecified typically experience physical symptoms. They may also begin to have issues with individuals at home, at work, or at school.
Overview
Some people with adjustment disorders may not even be aware that stress is causing them to feel or act differently. A reaction to a stressful event always causes the disorder. Symptoms usually appear during or immediately after the stressful event, although they can show up within three months after the situation occurs. The disorder generally lasts about six months, but it can last longer if the stressor causing the disorder is not addressed or treated.
Physicians diagnose patients with an adjustment disorder by analyzing patients' symptoms to see if they meet certain criteria. Patients must experience psychological or behavioral symptoms after a stressful event in their lives. The behavior or feelings are not a part of normal bereavement or the result of another diagnosis. Patients must exhibit excessive stress over an event, and the stress is so severe that it causes issues for patients at home, in school, at work, or in social settings. Once the stressor is removed, patients' symptoms typically stop in about six months.
Physicians treat adjustment disorders with therapy and medication. Some people may only need one or the other, while others may be prescribed a combination of both. Physicians typically recommend that patients also see a trained mental health professional such as a psychologist or counselor for therapy. Therapy provides people with needed emotional support and can help them work through and understand the stressors causing the adjustment disorder. Therapy also helps people gain skills to cope with stress. Several types of therapy treat adjustment disorders. These include psychotherapy (counseling), family or group therapy, and support groups. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change negative thinking and behaviors. Crisis intervention is used when immediate emergency psychological care is needed.
Patients who need medication must see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Medications can treat symptoms of adjustment disorders. They can help patients sleep and feel less depressed, anxious, or nervous.
Adjustment disorders are typically temporary if treated correctly. No ways exist to prevent them, but people can learn skills to help them cope with stressors in their lives. Most people recover from adjustment disorders and do not experience any relapse because they know how to recognize the signs and have learned how to react to stressors in their lives.
Bibliography
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