What Are Adjustment Disorders?

Adjustment disorders are emotional responses that arise when a person has an overwhelming and out-of-proportion reaction to a major life event or stress. Unlike most who gradually settle into new challenges, people facing an adjustment disorder find their feelings unusually heightened and enduring longer than anticipated. These intense emotions can interfere with everyday routines, erode overall well-being, and undermine daily functioning.

The DSM-5 details six distinct types of adjustment disorders:

• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

• Adjustment disorder with anxiety

• Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood

• Adjustment disorder with conduct disturbance

• Adjustment disorder, unspecified

• Adjustment disorder with mixed conduct and emotional disturbance

Should you suspect you’re facing an adjustment disorder, it’s important to reach out to a psychiatric provider who can evaluate your circumstances, guiding you toward treatment options.

Typically, the hallmark of adjustment disorder is an overly intense emotional response to stress that keeps interfering with daily life. These responses can appear in various ways, such as:

• Persistent feelings of hopelessness

• Withdrawing from activities once enjoyed

• Intense anxiety or constant stress

• Emotional numbness or apathy

• Difficulty concentrating

• Frequent crying spells

• Disrupted sleep patterns

Since these signs can resemble other mental health challenges, it’s important to consult a skilled psychiatric provider for an accurate diagnosis.

When diagnosing an adjustment disorder, a psychiatric provider will assess several important factors:

• Signs develop within ninety days of the triggering event.

• Your feelings toward the trigger go beyond normal and continue too long

• Persistent negative thoughts and behaviors greatly disrupt a person’s everyday activities

• No prior psychiatric issues exist to account for these symptoms.

An adjustment disorder can be sparked by a variety of stressors that disrupt daily routines and emotional balance, ranging from significant events like relocating to another town, to intensely upsetting experiences such as bereavement or conflicts in relationships. Sometimes even positive transitions—like accepting a new position or finishing school—bring about intense emotional pressure. In many situations, multiple stressful factors can often overlap and also contribute to the onset of an adjustment disorder.

Treatment for adjustment disorders often includes a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, tailored to the individual’s specific needs.

• Talk therapy to address emotional responses

• Building coping strategies for stress management

• Identifying negative thinking patterns and triggers

• Recognizing unhelpful thought patterns and triggers

• Joining family or group therapy offers additional emotional support

Sometimes, drugs such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety treatments are offered to help control the troubling symptoms.

• Adopting new habits is vital for healing, and may involve activities like:

• Focusing on positive aspects of life

• Working through problems rather than avoiding them

• Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine

• Ensuring sufficient sleep and relaxation

Get Help for Adjustment Disorders with Diligence Integrated Care

At Diligence Care Plus, we offer tailored support for those navigating adjustment disorders. Whether you’re interested in counseling, medication, or a blend of both, our compassionate team is ready to assist. Our psychiatric providers collaborate with you to develop a custom treatment plan designed around your goals.