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Adjustment disorder is when someone struggles to cope with a big change or stressful event in life, e.g., moving cities or dealing with a loss. It can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or trouble sleeping. People might also act out of character, like being reckless or avoiding others.
Adjustment disorders are diagnosed when there are significant emotional or behavioural symptoms because of a clear stress trigger, usually within three months of it starting and lasting up to six months after it’s over.
Feeling down or sad
Being anxious or worried
Losing your appetite
Finding it hard to focus
Acting out of character, like getting into fights or driving recklessly
Having issues at work or school
Feeling jittery or tired a lot
Avoiding social stuff or withdrawing from usual activities
Thinking about suicide
Adjustment disorders affect
an estimated 2% of people
around the world
Between 5 and 20% of
those in outpatient mental
health treatment can be
diagnosed with an
adjustment disorder
Adjustment disorder usually
occurs within 6 months of a
stressful event
Adjustment Disorders are
common and can affect
anyone, of any gender, age,
race, or lifestyle
An Adjustment Disorder (AD) is like a signal from our minds telling us we’re struggling with life’s stressors. It’s a common but often overlooked mental health issue. Imagine feeling overwhelmed by a big change or a stressful event, like a job loss or a relationship break-up, and finding it hard to cope emotionally. That’s where AD comes into play.
Research shows that AD typically kicks in within three months of a stressful event and tends to fade away once the stressor eases off. It’s not about having a lifelong struggle; it’s more like a temporary storm in your mental landscape. People with AD might experience symptoms like feeling down or anxious, behaving out of character, or struggling to concentrate.
Interestingly, AD can affect anyone, but it’s often seen in specific groups like military personnel facing combat stress or young adults dealing with academic pressure.
When it comes to treatment, therapy takes the spotlight. Think of it as a toolkit for helping you navigate through tough times. Therapies like solution-focused therapy or interpersonal therapy are popular choices. They help you understand and manage your emotions, which is key to overcoming AD.
While medications like antidepressants are sometimes used, research suggests that they may not be as effective for AD compared to other mental health conditions. It’s more about talking it through and finding ways to cope.
The good news is, AD generally has a positive outlook. Once you address the underlying stressors and develop better coping strategies, the storm tends to clear up. Most people don’t go on to develop long-term mental health issues, which is reassuring.
In a nutshell, AD is about recognising when life’s challenges get a bit too heavy and finding the right support to weather the storm. Therapy and understanding are powerful tools in that journey towards better mental health.
*Source: Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment – National Library of Medicine
Engage in mindfulness or relaxation techniques. Deep breathing exercises or yoga can help reduce anxiety and improve your overall mood.