Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition that happens after a stressful life event. The stress feels more pronounced than what the situation would normally cause. It can get in the way of your work, your relationships and your daily life.

Everyone reacts to stress in their own way. Feeling upset after a hard situation or event is normal. Adjustment disorder is different. They show up within three months of the stressful event and cause real problems in how you feel and function. Most of the time, symptoms continue to grow within six months after the stressor ends.

Adjustment disorder responds well to treatment. Baptist Health behavioral care providers can help you work through what you are feeling and move toward recovery. Help is available, and you do not have to go through it alone.

Types of Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment disorder shows up in different ways for different people. Your provider will look at your main symptoms to figure out which type fits best. The most common types include:

• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood. You may feel sad, hopeless or tearful. Things that used to bring you joy may not feel the same.
• Adjustment disorder with anxiety. You may feel worried, nervous or on edge. It can be hard to focus or sit still.
• Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. You have symptoms of both anxiety and depression at the same time.
• Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct. You may act out in ways that are not like you, such as skipping work or school, reckless behavior or getting into fights.
• Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct. You have both emotional symptoms and changes in behavior.

Knowing the type helps your provider build the right treatment plan for you. While there are similarities, an adjustment disorder is not the same as an acute stress disorder.

Adjustment Disorder Symptoms

Adjustment disorder symptoms can be emotional or behavioral. Sometimes, they are both. The symptoms often start within a few weeks of the stressful event.

Common signs include:

• Sadness
• Worry
• Crying spells
• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Pulling away socially
• Loss of interest

Children and teens may show symptoms a little differently. They might act out, skip school or seem clingy. Adults may notice their work slipping or feel like they cannot keep up with daily tasks. If any of these symptoms are making it hard to get through your day, it is a good idea to talk to a provider.

Causes and Risk Factors

Adjustment disorder is tied to a stressful event or life change. The stressor can be one big thing or several smaller things combined. It can also be something ongoing, like a long illness or a difficult home life. Even changes that are typically seen as positive, like getting married or starting a new job, can be stressful enough to trigger the condition.

Common triggers include:

• Divorce
• Breakup
• Loss
• Health diagnosis
• Job change
• Money troubles
• Moving
• School problems
• Work issues
• Retirement

Anyone can develop adjustment disorder. It can affect children, teens and adults of any age. People who have gone through a lot of stress in the past or who do not have strong support around them may be more likely to experience it.

Diagnosis

There is no blood test or scan for adjustment disorder. Your Baptist Health provider will diagnose the condition by talking with you about what you are going through. They will ask about your symptoms, when they started and what was happening in your life at that time.

Your provider may also do a physical exam to rule out other health issues. In some cases, they may refer you to a mental health specialist for a full evaluation. The specialist will use guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as the DSM, to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Most people with adjustment disorder feel better with treatment. The main goal is to help you cope with the stressor and get back to feeling like yourself. Treatment is usually built around your specific symptoms and situation.

Therapy

Talk therapy is the most common treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT, can help you spot unhelpful thought patterns and learn new ways to cope. Other types of therapy, like supportive therapy or family therapy, may also help. Therapy gives you a safe place to sort through what you are feeling and build skills to handle stress.

Medication

Medication is not always needed for adjustment disorder. In some cases, your provider may suggest a short term medication to help with anxiety, sleep or mood. Medication usually works best alongside therapy, not on its own.

Self Care and Support

Small daily habits can often make a big difference in how you feel. Your Baptist Health provider may recommend that you:

• Stay connected with friends and family.
• Get regular exercise, even a short walk each day.
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
• Eat balanced meals.
• Limit alcohol and avoid recreational drugs.
• Try relaxation methods like deep breathing or meditation.

When to Seek Care

If stress is getting in the way of your daily life, it is time to reach out. You do not have to wait for things to get worse. An early conversation with a Baptist Health behavioral care provider can help you feel better sooner.

If you or someone you love is having thoughts of self harm or suicide, get help right away. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency room. You are not alone, and support is available.