Life is so unpredictable; sometimes we are sad, and sometimes we are happy. But if the stressors of life become intense and prolonged for a long period of time, it can be an adjustment disorder!
Adjustment disorder is a condition where emotional or behavioral reactions to life changes become more severe than expected. It can be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or a breakup. These moments are hard to cope with, and it’s completely normal to feel upset.
However, sometimes the stress doesn’t go away; instead, it grows every day and causes difficulty in managing day-to-day life.
Moreover, this disorder has different subtypes; one subtype of this condition is associated with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. In this particular state, individuals experience feelings of nervousness, worry, and sadness.
It’s more than having a bad day or bad week; it’s a mental health condition that affects millions of people globally. However, women are diagnosed with adjustment disorder about twice as often as men.
Understanding this condition can help people get a diagnosis earlier.
What is Adjustment Disorder?
It’s a mental health condition in which people experience excessive stress, physical, and cognitive challenges. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, it’s a mental health condition that affects how one functions in everyday life activities. People in this state cut themselves off from social activities as they tend to remain alone and are unable to concentrate on work and other related tasks due to stress and anxiety.
However, it’s different from normal stress, and typically occurs within three months after experiencing a stressful event. And it lasts for approximately six months until one may be able to cope with it. Furthermore, it is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions that can occur at any age. Children and adolescents manifest it differently as they exhibit depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and poor performance in academics.
Moreover, it’s difficult for the people around them to understand, as they see situations in the way they’ve experienced them.
Examples of Adjustment Disorder
Example 1: If an individual is mourning after a loss of a loved one, and remains sad, irritated, or cries even after more than three months. They may be suffering from this condition.
Example 2: A child who has been living very close to his family. But his parents decided to send him to a boarding house for further studies. He remains sad, irritated, avoids self-care, and frequently cries for even three months. It can be an indication of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression.
Example 3: A 10-year-old child’s grades are low after her parents’ divorce. She feels sad much of the time and can’t concentrate on her schoolwork.
Example 4: A family’s house gets ruined by a fire. The women living in that house were very attached to that place. She feels displaced in her new situation and experiences sadness and anxiety that make it difficult for her to perform well at her job.
Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder
Changes in life always feel stressful, but when it causes challenges and interfere with daily life, it may be a sign that something serious is going on. The symptoms of this subtype are primarily similar to anxiety disorders. Individuals who are experiencing this condition remain emotionally uneasy. Here are some of the physical and emotional symptoms that may help in identifying adjustment disorder.
Emotional Symptoms
- Extreme nervousness or thoughts about the future
- Constant worry or restlessness
- Staying irritated most of the time or feeling “on edge.”
- Excessive fear without any specific reason
- Trouble concentrating on important tasks
Behavioral Symptoms
- Withdrawal of social activities
- Acting impulsively
- Reckless behavior (common in teens)
- Trouble sleeping
- Appetite changes
- Difficulty making decisions
Physical Symptoms
- Body aches
- Clenching of the jaws
- Stomach aches
- Nausea
- Severe headaches
- Racing heartbeat
- Shallow breathing when undergoing extreme worry
All these symptoms occur after experiencing a stressful life event and come unexpectedly. These symptoms are difficult to handle if a person lacks support.
The Different Types of Adjustment Disorder
This condition can occur in various forms and makes the condition more challenging. Here are some of the most common subtypes:
1.Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
In this subtype, people experience excessive worries, nervousness, restlessness, muscle tension, and fears. People in this state constantly stay on the verge and struggle to stay calm. They may also face issues with memory and focus. As children in this state may refuse to go to school and express irritability or anger most of the time.
2.Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
In this subtype, individuals experience depressive symptoms, such as a sad mood, crankiness, grief, and are unable to find interest in previously enjoyable activities.
It may feel like situational depression, which often occurs after grief, retirement, or a major disappointment.
3.Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
Many individuals experience both sets of symptoms. It means that they experience sadness, as well as anxiety. This mixed representation is especially common during highly complex situations, such as dealing with a high-stress phase.
4.Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct
This subtype usually occurs in adulthood, and they become impulsive, get into fights, and engage in risky behaviors. They may act weird and destroy things around them.
5Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct
In this type, an individual experiences the symptoms of both anxiety and depression. They may also experience behavioral issues, such as compulsive behavior, inability to perform tasks, social withdrawal, and more.
6.Adjustment Disorder Unspecified
This subtype is a reaction that is excessive, but the symptoms don’t fit into any of the conditions. People in this state experience withdrawal from social gatherings, remain alone, and are unable to engage in normal activities. Although a few adjustment disorders last for a few months, while some stay longer and become chronic, leading to serious mental health conditions
- Anxiety disorder.
- Depressive disorder.
- Self-harm.
- Substance abuse disorder.
- Suicidal thoughts.
The “Why” Behind the Struggle: Common Stressors
We face challenges every day; sometimes the stress makes one a better version of themselves. However, there are some stressors in life that are overwhelming and shake the personality of an individual. If an individual is unable to cope with it, that’s where adjustment disorder occurs.
Common triggers include:
- Life transitions, such as changing jobs or school, getting married
- Breakup or divorce
- immigration, or change of location
- Societal pressure
- Receiving a serious medical diagnosis
- Taking care of a caregiver who is close and ill
- Major life role changes, such as becoming a parent or retiring
- Death of a loved one or other significant losses
Stresses are part of life, though adjustment disorder with anxiety causes brief periods of stress. People in this state show emotional and physical reactions. They constantly worry and panic, which interferes with day-to-day life and lasts longer than expected.
Other Causes of Adjustment Disorder
The main triggers of this condition are already discussed above. However, there are some other factors as well that might increase the likelihood of developing this condition along with anxiety.
1.Genetics
Genetics plays a major role in the development of mental health conditions. Means that if anyone from the family or any close relative has experienced this condition, it increases the risk and makes one vulnerable to developing it.
2.Life Experiences
Individuals who have experienced trauma and difficulties during the early years of life are vulnerable to developing anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Why? Because the stress or trauma in early years lowers a person’s stress threshold in adulthood.
3.Environmental Stressors
People who are struggling with finances, have a lack of support, or have witnessed something that shakes them can develop adjustment disorder with anxiety. Repeated life disruptions can increase emotional strain.
4.Personality & Temperament
There are some people who are naturally more sensitive and more perfectionistic. It becomes a part of their personality, as they worry more, which leads them to develop this condition. Also, they may be more affected by the change.
Moreover, it is reported that people who have social support can face difficulties and life challenges in a better way. They are often better equipped to navigate life transitions. In contrast, when an individual has less social support, they are overwhelmed by the little incidents or small transitions.
Note: Understanding these factors helps reduce stigma. Adjustment disorder is not a sign of weakness. If you feel like you are unable to take control over your life, seek professional help immediately.
Adjustment Disorder Anxiety Vs. Normal Stress
Getting upset or over small things is completely normal. However, if an individual is upset for a longer period of time and interferes with everyday life activities, it can be a sign of anxiety.
Individuals with normal stress get relaxed after some time and move on to new stuff in their lives. They adjust to the new changes. Whereas adjustment disorder with anxiety lasts longer and severely interferes with life. People in this state are unable to rest, stay irritated, and have trouble sleeping for months afterward.
Moreover, understanding the difference between the two is a crucial step. It helps in recognizing the condition and helps choose better treatment options. If you or anyone you know is struggling with these symptoms, encourage them to get professional help.
Professional Diagnosis
If you feel like you might be experiencing adjustment disorder, the first step is getting in touch with a mental health professional. As it can only be diagnosed by a mental health professional, they examine the symptoms and ask some questionnaires with the individual who is experiencing the symptoms.
Moreover, they may also check the medical history, family history, and conduct an interview with the family members and caretakers to get more information. This helps rule out physical conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms. Additionally, the mental health professional will use specific criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition DSM-5 to make a diagnosis.
How can Adjustment Disorder be Treated?
It is highly treatable with the right combination of treatments. With effective therapy, medical support, and medications, individuals can regain emotional balance and manage future stress.
However, if one may require treatments for adjustment disorder with anxiety, it begins with understanding the unique condition and stressors. As it is different from other mental health conditions, it’s time-limited and occurs because of a specific event.
Psychiatric Medication: A Supporting Role
Medications are usually prescribed with therapies. It helps to provide better effective results. It’s typically used for less time to manage specific symptoms while therapy does the deeper work.
Some of the common medications include:
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antipsychotics
Therapy Approaches
For people experiencing mental health conditions, such as adjustment disorder with anxiety. Psychotherapy is often the first-line treatment. Here are some of the evidence-based therapies that can be highly effective, including:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), it helps people recognize their unhelpful beliefs without needing to change or fight them. It encourages mindful awareness and acceptance, but acknowledges that these thoughts are only thoughts that may come and go. Moreover, Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and evidence-based therapies. CBT helps people to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more balanced thoughts. For instance, it can be like, if you lost your job and keep thinking “I might not get another job,” CBT helps you challenge that thought and develop a more realistic perspective.
Interpersonal therapy, this therapy is really helpful to address issues in your relationships with family and friends. It is really helpful for people who are having relationship issues, which contribute to their stress. Family therapy, in this therapy, a mental health expert meets with the family members of the individual to improve communication within the family. It is really helpful for people who develop adjustment disorder at a young age. Family therapy ensures everyone understands how to support the person who’s struggling.
How Renewed Mental Health Group Help?
Dealing with adjustment disorder is very challenging, especially when you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Don’t worry, help is within reach!
At the Renewed Mental Health Group, we have a team of certified mental health professionals who specialize in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including adjustment disorder. Our experts have decades of experience and provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment. We offer a safe space where you can talk about your issues without the fear of judgment. You can also get virtual appointments through our telepsychiatric services. We cover a wide range of insurances and also offer self-pay options, so you don’t have to worry about these things.
So, if you or someone you love is struggling, we’re here to help you find balance, clarity, and peace of mind.
Book your initial consultation today!
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