Understanding Adjustment Disorders
According to Medline Plus, an adjustment disorder is defined as “a group of symptoms, such as stress, feeling sad or hopeless, and physical symptoms that can occur after you go through a stressful life event.” A stressful event is different for everyone; a move, a divorce, a job loss, a bully at school, or worries about money. During an event like this, you could experience more stress than normal.
There are many symptoms or ways it could affect your life. These symptoms are usually severe or are severely affecting daily life. They include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Lack of appetite
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling sad, hopeless or not enjoying things you normally do
- Avoiding normal things like going to work, or school, or socializing
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Most of the time people adjust to a stressful event or significant changes within a few months. Others, who can’t shake the feelings of anxiety and depression, may be experiencing an adjustment disorder. You don’t have to try to tough it out or be embarrassed. Adjustment disorders can be fairly common and can easily be treated.
The main goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and help you return to your normal daily routine. Treatment is based on how severe your symptoms are. They can range from support groups, long-term therapy, medications for depression and/or anxiety, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk-therapy.
With the correct treatment, adjustment disorders can disappear in a few months. They do not have to be an embarrassment or a long-term ailment.
Do you think you have an adjustment disorder? Contact us, we can help you move through the stress.