Adjustment disorder is an excessive, lengthy reaction to a stressful event or situation. It could be one stressor or a combination of stressors affecting one person or a group of people. This reaction seriously damages social and occupational functioning.
There are several subtypes of the disorder, including adjustment disorder with:
Depressed moodAnxietyMixed anxiety and depressed moodDisturbance of conductMixed disturbance of emotions and conductAdjustment disorders develop in reaction to stressful life events or major life changes. Some common stressors are:
Relationship problemsFinancial difficultiesFamily conflictSchool issuesWork changesMajor life changesHealth problemsDivorceDeath of loved onesMovingSexuality issuesIn some cases, ongoing problems (such as living in an unsafe, crime-ridden neighborhood) may cause the development of an adjustment disorder over a longer period of time.
Certain people are more likely than others to have adjustment disorder.
Susceptibility can be affected by factors such as:
GeneticsFlexibilityIntelligenceSocial skillsCoping strategiesSex: women are thought to be at higher risk than men (boys and girls are at equal risk)People who face certain stressors like medical problems or living in challenging environments may be at greator risk. In these populations, adjustment disorder has been diagnosed in up to 50% of the people.
The stressor itself may also interfere with an individual’s support network.
Certain early-childhood family history factors seem to increase the chance that a person may suffer from an adjustment disorder in the future. These include:
Frequent moves as a childAbusive family of originOverprotective family of originComing from a disadvantaged background
Prior exposure to extreme trauma (such as war)
without
having previously developed either an adjustment disorder or
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Individuals who are at higher risk for adjustment disorders often have other conditions, such as a history of
anxiety
,
depression
,
bipolar disorder
, or
eating disorders
.
Adjustment disorder symptoms are expected to disappear within six months after the causing stressor and/or its results have been removed. In the case of chronic adjustment disorder, the symptoms may last longer than the six-month mark. In general, they are related to ongoing persistent stressors like a chronic medical disability.
Symptoms may vary, but are similar in that the reaction to the stressor is worse or more excessive than expected. In order for a diagnosis of adjustment disorder to be made, symptoms must interfere with an individual’s social or work functioning.
Symptoms include:
Depressed mood, sadnessDifficulty breathingChest painAnxiety or worryFeeling of inability to copeFeeling of inability to plan aheadFeeling of inability to continue in present situationSome degree of disability in the performance of daily routineConduct disordersDisturbance of other emotions and conductYour doctor will perform an exam. It will be used to assess whether your symptoms follow a recent stressful event, and if the symptoms are more severe than what is normal for you. You will also be evaluated to make sure there is no underlying disorders or disease, such as depression, an anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment.
The main goal of treatment is to resolve symptoms, and return the person to his or her normal level of functioning. Treatment is important so that the disorder doesn’t become a larger illness, like major depression. Treatment options include:
Psychotherapy, or counseling, is the primary treatment for adjustment disorders. Therapy is used to help people understand why the stressful event caused the symptoms. It also helps develop coping mechanisms for future stressors. Therapy is generally short-term and can take any of the following forms: individual therapy, family therapy, behavior therapy, or group therapy.
Medications may be used in combination with therapy to ease common symptoms. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed on a short-term basis until the symptoms resolve.
While there is no known way to prevent adjustment disorders, the prognosis is good. Adjustment disorders generally resolve with treatment and time without remaining symptoms.