Adjustment disorders

Adjustment disorders

overview

Adjustment disorders are stress-related conditions. You experience more stress than would normally be expected in response to a stressful or unexpected event, and the stress causes significant problems in your relationships, work, or school.

Work problems, going to school, an illness, the death of a close family member, or a number of life changes can cause stress. Most people get used to such changes within a few months. But if you have an adjustment disorder, you continue to have emotional or behavioral reactions that can contribute to feeling anxious or depressed.

But you don't have to do it alone. Treatment may be short and will likely help you regain your emotional balance.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the type of adjustment disorder and can vary from person to person. You experience more stress than would normally be expected in response to a stressful event, and the stress causes significant problems in your life.

Adjustment disorders affect how you feel and think about yourself and the world, and may also affect your actions or behavior. Some examples are:

• Sich traurig, hoffnungslos fühlen oder Dinge nicht genießen, die Sie früher genossen haben
• Häufiges Weinen
• Sich Sorgen machen oder sich ängstlich, nervös, nervös oder gestresst fühlen
• Schlafstörungen
• Appetitlosigkeit
• Konzentrationsschwierigkeiten
• Überwältigt fühlen
• Schwierigkeiten bei alltäglichen Aktivitäten
• Rückzug aus sozialer Unterstützung
• Vermeiden Sie wichtige Dinge wie zur Arbeit zu gehen oder Rechnungen zu bezahlen
• Selbstmordgedanken oder -verhalten

Symptoms of adjustment disorder begin within three months of a stressful event and do not last longer than 6 months after the stressful event ends. However, persistent or chronic adjustment disorders can last longer than 6 months, especially if the stressor is persistent, such as: B. Unemployment.

When to go to the doctor?

Typically, stressors are temporary and we learn to deal with them over time. Adjustment disorder symptoms improve because stress has subsided. But sometimes the stressful event remains a part of your life. Or a new stressful situation arises and you face the same emotional struggles again.

Talk to your doctor if you continue to have problems or have difficulty getting through each day. You can seek treatment to help you cope with stressful events and feel more comfortable in life again.

If you have concerns about your child's adjustment or behavior, talk to your child's pediatrician.

Suicidal thoughts or behavior

If you think about hurting yourself or someone else, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, go to an emergency room, or confide in a trusted relative or friend. Or call a suicide hotline – in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor.

Causes

Adjustment disorders are caused by significant changes or stressors in your life. Genetics, your life experiences, and your temperament can increase your chances of developing an adjustment disorder.

Risk factors

Some things can make you more likely to have an adjustment disorder.

Stressful events

Stressful life events – both positive and negative – can put you at risk of developing an adjustment disorder. For example:

• Scheidung oder Eheprobleme
• Beziehungs- oder zwischenmenschliche Probleme
• Veränderungen in der Situation, wie z. B. Pensionierung, Geburt eines Babys oder Schulweg
• Ungünstige Situationen, wie der Verlust des Arbeitsplatzes, der Verlust eines geliebten Menschen oder finanzielle Probleme
• Probleme in der Schule oder am Arbeitsplatz
• Lebensbedrohliche Erfahrungen wie körperliche Übergriffe, Kämpfe oder Naturkatastrophen
• Anhaltende Stressoren, wie z. B. eine medizinische Krankheit oder das Leben in einer von Kriminalität heimgesuchten Nachbarschaft

Your life experiences

Life experiences can affect how you deal with stress. For example, your risk of developing adjustment disorder may be increased if you:

• Erlebte erheblichen Stress in der Kindheit
• Andere psychische Probleme haben
• Mehrere schwierige Lebensumstände treten gleichzeitig auf

Complications

If adjustment disorders are not addressed, they can eventually lead to more serious mental health problems such as anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse.

prevention

There are no guaranteed ways to prevent adjustment disorders. But developing healthy coping skills and learning resilience can help you during times of high stress.

When you know a stressful situation is coming—like a move or retirement—call on your inner strength, increase your healthy habits, and gather your social support in advance. Remember that this is usually temporary and you can get through it. Also consider checking in with your doctor or psychologist to discuss healthy ways to manage stress.

Sources:

1. Anpassungsstörungen. In: Diagnostisches und Statistisches Handbuch Psychischer Störungen DSM-5. 5. Aufl. Arlington, Virginia: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. http://www.psychiatryonline.org. Abgerufen am 31. Oktober 2016.
2. Gabbard GO, Hrsg. Anpassungsstörungen. In: Gabbard’s Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. 5. Aufl. Arlington, Virginia: American Psychiatric Association; 2014. http://www.psychiatryonline.org. Abgerufen am 31. Oktober 2016.
3. Casey P. Anpassungsstörung: Neue Entwicklungen. Aktueller Psychiatriebericht. 2014;16:451.
4. Der Weg zur Resilienz. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx. Abgerufen am 31. Oktober 2016.
5. Bekämpfen Sie Stress mit gesunden Gewohnheiten. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/StressManagement/FightStressWithHealthyHabits/Fight-Stress-with-Healthy-Habits_UCM_307992_Article.jsp#.WBeRM2dTHRE. Abgerufen am 31. Oktober 2016.
6. Sawchuk CN (Expertenmeinung). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 18. November 2016.