Adjustment Disorder - Know Forms Of It!

What Is Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment disorders are considered to be a group of conditions which usually occur when a person experiences difficulty in coping with stressful life events. These usually include relationship issues, job issues or the demise of a loved one. The incapacity to adjust to stressful events leads to psychological and sometimes physical symptoms. 

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder

The psychological and physical symptoms linked with adjustment disorder occur either during or instantly after a stressful event. The disorder only lasts for 6 months but the symptoms might continue if the stressor has not been removed. The symptoms might vary from person to person.

The psychological symptoms are anxiety, crying, impulsive, lack of concentration, low or loss of self-esteem, feeling hopeless, sad or trapped, and withdrawn attitude along with suicidal tendencies.

These physical symptoms can include trembling, twitching of the muscles, soreness, body pain, insomnia, indigestion and fatigue.

Adjustment disorder might display psychological and physical symptoms separately or together.

Types of Adjustment Disorder

There are 6 adjustment disorders and each one of them is associated with different symptoms:

1)  Adjustment disorder with depressed mood: People diagnosed with this suffer from feelings of hopelessness and sadness and are often related to crying. Also, a person might not enjoy the activities which he earlier enjoyed.
2)  Adjustment disorder with anxiety: Symptoms of this are anxiety along with being anxious, overwhelmed, and worried. People with this show less concentration and poor memory. When diagnosed in children it is usually due to the separation anxiety from loved ones and parents.
3)  Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood: In this, both anxiety and depression are experienced.
4)  Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct: The symptoms of this disorder are more of the involvement of the behavioural issues like starting a quarrel, reckless driving, destructing property and stealing. Teens suffering from this might become absent from school.
5)  Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct: The symptoms of anxiety, depression, and behavioural issues are observed.
6)   Adjustment disorder unspecified: The people who are diagnosed with this type of disorder usually display symptoms that are not associated with other disorders. They exhibit more physical symptoms and problems with family and friends or at school and the workplace.

Treatment of Adjustment Disorder:

If diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, a person can definitely benefit from treatment. This is usually treated with therapy or medicines or a combination of both.

-  Therapy is the first choice. A health counsellor or a psychologist can give counselling and if there is a need for medication then you might be referred to a psychiatrist.
-  Medication like nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic, SSRI or SNRI and benzodiazepines might be prescribed for reducing the symptoms of anxiety.