OverviewWhat is adjustment disorder?Adjustment disorder is a short-term condition. It’s diagnosed in an individual who experiences an exaggerated reaction to a stressful or traumatic event. Show
Stressors can be single events (like a bad breakup) or can be multiple events (like work problems, struggles at school, financial issues). Stressors can happen to an individual, a family or an entire group (such as disaster survivors). Stressors can also be recurrent (like factors associated with seasonal business) or with specific “milestone” events (like going to school, getting married or retiring). Adjustment disorder is also called situational depression. How common is adjustment disorder?Adjustment disorder is thought to affect 2 to 8% of the general population. It can affect anyone at any age. It affects twice as many females as males. Can adjustment disorders affect children?Yes. Adjustment disorder can affect both adults and children. Boys and girls are equally affected. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the possible causes of adjustment disorder?There are many possible causes of adjustment disorders. Generally, it’s any situation you perceive as stressful and that causes significant problems in your work, social or home life. They can be both positive and negative events. Some examples include:
Your personality, temperament, well-being, life experiences and family history are all also thought to play a role in the possible development of adjustment disorder. What are the symptoms of adjustment disorder?Everyone is going to experience an adjustment disorder differently. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on the intensity of the triggering situation and the personal significance it has for you. Common physical symptoms:
Common behavioral or emotional symptoms:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is an adjustment disorder diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will complete a full physical and mental health exam. They may consider the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) from the American Psychiatric Association. To be diagnosed with adjustment disorder, you have to meet the following five DSM-5 criteria:
Acute adjustment disorder means your symptoms last less than six months. Chronic adjustment disorder means your symptoms last six months or longer. Your healthcare provider should also take into account your cultural background in determining if your response to a stressor is in excess of what would be expected. Are there different types of adjustment disorders?The DSM-5 lists six types of adjustment disorder:
What are the complications of adjustment disorder?If left untreated, people with adjustment disorder are at higher risk of suicide attempt or thoughts of suicide. If your symptoms become so overwhelming that it’s difficult for you to make it through a day, call your healthcare provider. If you have suicidal thoughts, get help immediately. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.TALK (800.273.8255). Management and TreatmentHow is adjustment disorder treated?Adjustment disorders are best managed if caught and treated early. Talk therapy (psychotherapy) is the main treatment. Since a situation or stress is what causes adjustment disorder, having someone to talk to that you trust and getting the tools you need to learn how to better cope with the situation can be really helpful. Individual, family or group therapy (support groups) are also helpful. Family therapy is often used if the person is a child or teenager. Are medications used to treat adjustment disorder?When medications are needed, anti-anxiety medicines (benzodiazepines) are the main drugs used to treat adjustment disorder. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe medication to help you sleep. Some providers may also try antidepressant medicines. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are the drug classes more frequently tried. Are any alternative therapies helpful for adjustment disorder?There’s some evidence that Ginkgo biloba, kava-kava and valerian are useful in treating adjustment disorder with anxiety. PreventionAre there ways to prevent adjustment disorder from happening?Although we can’t control the world around us, there are things we can do to feel better when stressors arise. Strategies include:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have a diagnosis of adjustment disorder?Adjustment disorder goes away over time when the stressor is removed or when you adapt to the situation. Usually any medical interventions are limited and once the situation has improved, so too will your symptoms. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat’s the difference between adjustment disorder and major depression and generalized anxiety disorder?A diagnosis of adjustment disorder is based on the presence of a stressor and the fact that the condition goes away when the stressor goes away. By definition of this diagnosis, the condition must end six months after the triggering event. With major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, there doesn’t need to be an identifiable stressor and the duration of symptoms can be ongoing. What’s the difference between adjustment disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?With adjustment disorder, the severity of the stressor doesn’t matter. With PTSD, you have to fear for your life or the life of someone else. The severity is very high. A note from Cleveland Clinic Adjustment disorder is usually a self-limiting disorder. Your symptoms will go away when your stressor goes away. Life is full of ongoing challenges. Both bad and good experiences can cause excessive stress. Your friends, family and religious affiliations are important in helping you celebrate your life joys and may be leaned on in troubled times. If you feel overwhelmed by a stressful event, your healthcare team is ready to see you. If you have suicidal thoughts, call for help immediately: 800.273.TALK (the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Help is always at your fingertips. What term is used to describe illnesses like heart disease or peptic ulcers that are affected by emotions and stress?Psychosomatic disorder is a psychological condition that leads to physical symptoms, often without any medical explanation. It can affect almost any part of the body. People with the disorder tend to seek frequent medical attention, becoming frustrated with no diagnosis.
What is the term for the change that takes place in response to a stressor?The change that takes place as a result of the response to a stressor is adaptation. Various physiologic mechanisms within the body respond to internal changes to maintain relative constancy in the internal environment.
What is the term used to describe a person's ability to deal with stressful circumstances or issues?Coping is defined as the thoughts and behaviors mobilized to manage internal and external stressful situations.[1] It is a term used distinctively for conscious and voluntary mobilization of acts, different from 'defense mechanisms' that are subconscious or unconscious adaptive responses, both of which aim to reduce or ...
What is stress and health?Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way you respond to stress, however, make a big difference to your overall well-being.
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