What is an Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorder is a group of symptoms that can develop after a stressful life event, such as parents divorcing. The symptoms can affect the way your child feels, thinks, and acts.
They may interfere with your child’s relationships. If the stressful circumstances continue, adjustment disorder can develop into a more serious disorder, such as major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
What are the causes?
This condition happens when your child has trouble recovering from or coping with a stressful life event, such as:
- Parents divorcing.
- A serious illness.
- Moving to a new home or school.
- A problem with schoolwork or peers.
- Emotional trauma.
- An injury.
What increases the risk?
Your child may be more likely to develop this condition if he or she:
- Is bullied.
- Has had depression or anxiety.
- Is being treated for a long-term (chronic) illness.
- Is being treated for an illness that cannot be cured (terminal illness).
- Has a family history of mental illness.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Extreme trouble doing daily tasks, such as going to school or helping out at home.
- A change in grades.
- Sadness, depression, or crying spells.
- Worrying a lot.
- Loss of enjoyment.
- Change in appetite or weight.
- Sense of loss or hopelessness.
- Thoughts of suicide.
- Anxiety, worry, or nervousness.
- Behavior problems.
- Avoiding family and friends.
- Acting out, such as by fighting or through vandalism.
- Skipping school.
- Complaining of feeling sick without being ill.
- Appearing dazed or disconnected.
- Nightmares.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Irritability.
Symptoms of this condition start within three months of the stressful event. They do not last more than six months, unless the stressful circumstances last longer. Normal grieving after the death of a loved one is not a symptom of this condition.
How is this diagnosed?
To diagnose this condition, your child’s health care provider will ask about what has happened in your child’s life and how it has affected your child. He or she may also ask about your child’s medical history and use of medicines and any changes in your child’s behavior. Your health care provider may do a physical exam and order lab tests or other studies. Your child may be referred to a mental health specialist.
How is this treated?
Treatment options for this condition include:
- Counseling or talk therapy. Talk therapy is usually provided by mental health specialists. This may include your child and other family members if recommended.
- Medicines. Certain medicines may help with depression, anxiety, and sleep.
- Support groups. These offer emotional support, advice, and guidance. They are made up of others who have had similar experiences.
- Observation and time. This is sometimes called “watchful waiting.” In this treatment, health care providers monitor your child’s health and behavior without other treatment. Adjustment disorder sometimes gets better on its own with time.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- If your child is talking about suicide, talk to your child’s mental health care provider immediately. Make sure your child does not have access to weapons or medicines.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care providers. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child’s symptoms do not improve in six months.
- Your child’s symptoms get worse.
Get help right away if:
- Your child is talking about suicide, has expressed thoughts of causing self-harm, or has threatened others.
If you ever feel like your child may hurt himself/herself or others, or may have thoughts about taking his or her own life, get help right away. You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:
- Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
- A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.
Summary
- Adjustment disorder is a group of symptoms that can develop after a stressful life event, such as parents divorcing. The symptoms can affect the way your child feels, thinks, and acts. They may interfere with your child’s relationships.
- Symptoms of this condition start within three months of the stressful event. They do not last more than six months, unless the stressful circumstances last longer.
- Treatment may include talk therapy, medicines, participation in a support group, or observation to see if symptoms improve.
- Contact your child’s health care provider if his or her symptoms get worse or do not improve in six months.
- If your child is talking about suicide, talk to your child’s mental health care provider immediately. Make sure your child does not have access to weapons or medicines.
Adjustment Disorder, Adult
Adjustment disorder is a group of symptoms that can develop after a stressful life event, such as the loss of a job or serious physical illness. The symptoms can affect how you feel, think, and act. They may interfere with your relationships.
Adjustment disorder increases your risk of suicide and substance abuse. If this disorder is not managed early, it can develop into a more serious condition, such as major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
What are the causes?
This condition happens when you have trouble recovering from or coping with a stressful life event.
What increases the risk?
You are more likely to develop this condition if:
- You have had depression or anxiety.
- You are being treated for a long-term (chronic) illness.
- You are being treated for an illness that cannot be cured (terminal illness).
- You have a family history of mental illness.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Extreme trouble doing daily tasks, such as going to work.
- Sadness, depression, or crying spells.
- Worrying a lot.
- Loss of enjoyment.
- Change in appetite or weight.
- Feelings of loss or hopelessness.
- Thoughts of suicide.
- Anxiety, worry, or nervousness.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Avoiding family and friends.
- Fighting or vandalism.
- Complaining of feeling sick without being ill.
- Feeling dazed or disconnected.
- Nightmares.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Irritability.
- Reckless driving.
- Poor work performance.
- Ignoring bills.
Symptoms of this condition start within three months of the stressful event. They do not last more than six months, unless the stressful circumstances last longer. Normal grieving after the death of a loved one is not a symptom of this condition.
How is this diagnosed?
To diagnose this condition, your health care provider will ask about what has happened in your life and how it has affected you. He or she may also ask about your medical history and your use of medicines, alcohol, and other substances. Your health care provider may do a physical exam and order lab tests or other studies. You may be referred to a mental health specialist.
How is this treated?
Treatment options for this condition include:
- Counseling or talk therapy. Talk therapy is usually provided by mental health specialists.
- Medicines. Certain medicines may help with depression, anxiety, and sleep.
- Support groups. These offer emotional support, advice, and guidance. They are made up of people who have had similar experiences.
- Observation and time. This is sometimes called “watchful waiting.” In this treatment, health care providers monitor your health and behavior without other treatment. Adjustment disorder sometimes gets better on its own with time.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your symptoms do not improve in six months.
- Your symptoms get worse.
Get help right away if:
- You have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else.
Summary
- Adjustment disorder is a group of symptoms that can develop after a stressful life event, such as the loss of a job or serious physical illness. The symptoms can affect how you feel, think, and act. They may interfere with your relationships.
- Symptoms of this condition start within three months of the stressful event. They do not last more than six months, unless the stressful circumstances last longer.
- Treatment may include talk therapy, medicines, participation in a support group, or observation to see if symptoms improve.
- Contact your health care provider if your symptoms get worse or do not improve in six months.
- If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or have thoughts about taking your own life, get help right away.
