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    Adjustment Disorders

    Some individuals develop emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to life stressors.  When the symptoms
    produce distress that is beyond what would be expected or when the symptoms interfere with functioning, a
    Psychologist may diagnose the person as having an Adjustment Disorder.  Between five and twenty percent of men
    and women in therapy have Adjustment Disorder as their primary diagnosis.  Adjustment Disorders are one of
    sixteen types of clinical disorders treated by Psychologists.

    An Adjustment Disorder may occur in response to a single event or multiple stressors.  The stressor may be
    recurrent or chronic and may impact more than one individual.  Even positive changes and events that are
    expected  may be difficult to adjust to.

    Examples of life events or major stressors that may trigger an Adjustment Disorder include: the end of a relationship
    or loss of a job; ongoing financial or health problems; getting married, moving, or starting a family;
    experiencing or witnessing a natural disaster or freak accident; living with chronic crime, poverty or hatred.
    An Adjustment Disorder usually emerges within three months of the onset of the stressor and typically does not
    persist for more than six months after the stressor is no longer present.  If the stressor or its consequences are long-
    lasting, the symptoms may become long-lasting or chronic.

    Symptoms of an Adjustment Disorder may include: mild depression or anxiety; fears, worries, insomnia, irritability,
    forgetfulness, or tearfulness; lack of motivation or interest;loss of success in work, school, or personal relationships;
    drinking, arguing, rule breaking; or, in severe instances there may be suicidal thoughts.

    Treatment for Adjustment Disorders can be brief and very successful, especially if the individual was coping well
    before the life event occurred.  Waiting to “snap out of it” rarely works.

    Therapy can help a person accept their reaction and understand how it came about.  A therapist may utilize active
    listening and insight in order to help the person express a range of feelings and problem solve.

    Many phrases in popular culture describe groups of individuals in unique circumstances which sometimes result in
    Adjustment Disorders.  Examples include "Empty-nester's" struggling with changing their identity back to being a
    couple rather than parents; "The Sandwich Generation" feeling over-burdened by the demands of kids and aging
    parents.  "Baby-boomer's" reconciling  the discovery that they now are the establishment.

    An Adjustment Disorder is not a sign of weakness: It takes a strong person to recognize that something is wrong
    and to want to do something about it.
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