www.BeTreatedWell.com 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.
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.
| Antonia Caretto, Ph.D., PLLC |
| www.BeTreatedWell.com phone: 248.553.9053 |
| Articles of Interest: Business of Therapy Anxiety Why Gender? Asperger's Disorder Adjustment Disorders Self-Injurious Behavior |
