What is an adjustment disorder and how can we overcome it.

  • Jul 26, 2021
click fraud protection
Adjustment disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

In this Psychology-Online article we will explain the Adaptive disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment.

The constant changes and conflicts in our current life, whether in the workplace, personal or family, can cause emotional imbalances, and as a result, feel anxiety, stress or sadness. If we do not have the necessary tools to manage these changes and adapt, the situation may lead to a adaptive disorder

You may also like: Psychosis: what is it, symptoms, causes and treatment

Index

  1. What is an adjustment disorder
  2. Symptoms of adjustment disorder
  3. Diagnosis of adjustment disorder
  4. Adjustment disorder or depression?
  5. Adjustment disorder: TYPES
  6. Maladaptive disorder: treatment
  7. In conclusion, can we avoid a maladaptive disorder?

What is an adjustment disorder.

We can understand the adaptive disorder or adjustment disorder as an alteration in the adaptation process and, consequently, an excessive and maladaptive emotional reaction. To diagnose it as an adjustment disorder, the reaction must appear during the first three months after the stressor. Normally it does not extend more than six.

It is characterized by an alteration of well-being, mood and a deterioration in work and student effectiveness, as well as in social relationships.

The symptoms of adjustment disorder can appear immediately or appear later as a result of a series of stressful events:

  • Appear from righ now, for example due to the change of country, job change or workplace harassment where the person may suffer anxiety, stress or simply feel out of place.
  • Show up later. These are due to the sum of a number of stressors. In this case, the effects may take a little longer to appear. An example could be excessive workload adding few hours of sleep. The person is maintaining a frantic rhythm until he can no longer.

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder.

The symptom of adjustment disorder are the following:

  • Stress.
  • Insomnia.
  • Apathy.
  • Less attention span.
  • Headache.
  • Irritability.
  • Frustration.
  • Pessimism.
  • Constant stage of rumination: thinking about the problem throughout the day.
  • Constant urge to cry.
  • Anxiety and feeling depressed, chest pressure and shortness of breath.
  • Mental and physical fatigue.
  • Loss or increase of appetite.
  • Loss of interest for activities.
  • Isolation.

Adaptive Disorder Diagnosis.

There is no method or test that allows us to accurately see and diagnose the disorder. It is diagnosed if the criteria established in DSM5 and ICD 10 are met. For this, professionals mainly use the interview with the patient as a tool for diagnosis. Through an interview / conversation and its observation, the professional will be able to determine if what is presenting is an adjustment disorder.

Adjustment disorder or depression?

In disorders where there is no exact method of diagnosing one disorder, it is easy for them to be associated with others. It is common for the symptoms of depression to be associated with those of an adjustment disorder.

  1. In a adaptive disorder There is always a reason for the appearance of the disorder: a separation, change of job, motherhood, financial problems, loss of employment, etc. In a depression there may be no triggering factor to the appearance, it just shows up. There are some tips to avoid depression.
  2. In an adjustment disorder there is usually not the same intensity in the symptoms as in a depression, just as all the symptoms may not be present.
  3. The depression It is a mood disorder unlike the adjustment disorder which is classified within the disorders related to trauma and stress factors.

We leave you a test below where you can know if you have symptoms of depression.

Adaptive disorder: TYPES.

Adaptive disorder with anxiety

It is characterized by a increased anxiety during adjustment disorder. The person presenting it recognizes the stressor as the cause of her anxiety. This anxiety hinders or limits the normal day-to-day functioning of the person, such as at work or at school.


Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

People with this disorder experience feelings of sadness, crying, and despair. If these feelings don't go away or we don't try to make them go away with the help of others, it could lead to depression.


Anxious-depressive mixed adaptive disorder

People who have this disorder because of a stressor, apart from the general symptoms of an adjustment disorder, feel depressed and at the same time anxious. Psychological therapy is recommended and if necessary the use of drugs for the treatment of this disorder.


Adaptive disorder with emotional disturbance and behavioral disturbance

When there is stress and anxiety, and you do not learn to manage, problem behaviors can be triggered in the person. It should be said that there is always a certain stress in a person's day to day, the problem comes when this stress cannot be managed or when we are not aware of the burden that we can carry bear.


Adjustment disorder with behavioral disturbance

This disorder is very common in children since when a stressor occurs that they do not know how to manage, it is also They are depressed, but they face the problem through negative behavior as sadness turns into anger. They can start fights or steal.


Nonspecific Adjustment Disorder

People whose symptoms they present originate from various types of disorders are categorized in this disorder. They can present a mixture of several symptoms and cannot be categorized into a single disorder.

Maladaptive disorder: treatment.

As we have discussed previously, maladaptive disorder usually appears during the first three months after the stressor and rarely lasts more than six. Like all disorders there are different degrees and depending on the person they will have more or less resources to face the situation. It is recommended to go to a specialist since bad treatment could trigger depression.

Attempts should be made to eliminate the stressor. Some of the therapies for maladaptive disorder may be emotional management techniques, relaxation techniques... etc. The treatment that has demonstrated the greatest efficiency in people with a maladaptive disorder is the cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Sometimes it is necessary to use a pharmacological treatment for an adjustment disorder. In these cases it is necessary and vital to go to a professional to prescribe what we really need. We must avoid self-medicating or being advised by people who are not professionals in the field.

In conclusion, can we avoid a maladaptive disorder?

There is nothing to assure us that we will never suffer from a maladaptive disorder. Every moment of our life is different and a stressor can come at a time when we did not expect, being more susceptible than normal. To try to avoid any disorder, surrounding ourselves with beings who are by our side if we need it is a strong point since they can be of support in difficult moments. It is important to work on emotional control to know how to manage those negative feelings or thoughts and to have a healthy and stable self-esteem to believe in ourselves. Having a positive mind is an important point, as it plays an important role in preventing and / or overcoming any problem in our life.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Adjustment disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Cognitive psychology.

Bibliography

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana, S.A.

Adjustment disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

instagram viewer