What are Adjustment Disorders?
Adjustment disorders occur within three months of a life stressor and are characterized by emotions or behaviors that affect a person's ability to function and are excessive in relation to the stressor and resolve within 6 months of the stressor (bereavement is not included in this disorder).

What are the symptoms of Adjustment Disorders?
Your health care provider may ask detailed questions about how you feel and how you spend your time. This will help him or her pinpoint which specific type of adjustment disorder you have. There are six main types of adjustment disorders. Although they're all related, each type of adjustment disorder has certain signs and symptoms.

The six types are:

• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Symptoms mainly include feeling sad, tearful and hopeless, and a lack of pleasure in the things you used to enjoy.
• Adjustment disorder with anxiety. Symptoms mainly include nervousness, worry, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, and feeling overwhelmed. Children who have adjustment disorder with anxiety may strongly fear being separated from their parents and loved ones.
• Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Symptoms include a mix of depression and anxiety.
• Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct. Symptoms mainly involve behavioral problems, such as fighting, reckless driving or ignoring your bills. Youngsters may skip school or vandalize property.
• Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct. Symptoms include a mix of depression and anxiety as well as behavioral problems.
• Adjustment disorder unspecified. Symptoms don't fit the other types of adjustment disorders but often include physical problems, problems with family or friends, or work or school problems.

Diagnosis
Adjustment disorders are diagnosed based on signs and symptoms and a thorough psychological evaluation. To be diagnosed with adjustment disorder, someone must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

For an adjustment disorder to be diagnosed, several criteria must be met, including:

• Having emotional or behavioral symptoms within three months of a specific stressor occurring in your life
• Having serious symptoms involving severe distress or an inability to function well in your daily life
• An improvement of symptoms within six months of the stressful event coming to an end

Treatment
Most people find treatment of adjustment disorder helpful, and they're in treatment only for several months. Others may benefit from longer treatment, though. There are two main types of treatment for adjustment disorder — psychotherapy and medications.

Psychotherapy
The main treatment for adjustment disorders is psychotherapy, also called counseling or talk therapy. You may attend individual therapy, group therapy or family therapy. Therapy can provide emotional support and help you get back to your normal routine. It can also help you learn why the stressful event affected you so much. As you understand more about this connection, you can also learn healthy coping skills. These skills can help you weather other stressful events that may arise in your life.

Medications
In some cases, medications may help, too. Medications can help with such symptoms as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are the medications most often used to treat adjustment disorders. As with therapy, you may need medications only for a few months.

Coping with Adjustment Disorders
When you face a stressful event or major life change, you can take some steps to care for your emotional well-being. Do what works for you. Some examples include:

• Talking things over with caring family and friends
• Trying to keep eating a healthy diet
• Sticking to a regular sleep routine
• Getting regular physical activity
• Engaging in a hobby you enjoy
• Finding a support group geared toward your situation
• Finding support from a faith community

If you use these kinds of self-care steps but they don't seem to be helping, be sure to talk to your health care provider.
Source: Mayo Clinic