By: Malin Aurora Hurtado Macario
In our daily life we often come across different changes that can affect our daily life routine, whether if it is losing a job or a loved one, these changes can affect our behavior and how we adjust to our day-to-day activities. As we may know, when these problems happen the normal human response is to react to what’s happening, losing a job, for example, is an event that can cause stress or can affect our mental health, but when this response gets out of hand and we are no longer able to handle it, it may be an adjustment disorder.
What is an adjustment disorder?
An adjustment disorder is an emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful event or change in a person’s life. The reaction is considered an unhealthy or excessive response to the event or change within months of it happening.
Causes of adjustment disorders:
Adjustment disorders are a reaction to an event. Where they are in their development and ability to deal with specific needs related to the stress may contribute to their reaction. Stressors also vary in how long they last, how strong they are, and what effect they have. No evidence is available to suggest a specific factor that causes adjustment disorders. (Usually affects daily activities)
Who is most vulnerable to adjustment disorders?
Although everyone can suffer from these disorders, adjustment disorders are most common in children and adolescents. They happen equally in males and females.
Symptoms
In all adjustment disorders, the reaction to the stressor is excessive to what would be otherwise expected. Also, the reaction should significantly interfere with social, occupational, or educational functioning. Additionally, age can have an effect.
Adolescent symptoms of adjustment disorders can be more behavioral, such as acting out. Adults who experience adjustment disorders exhibit more depressive symptoms.
Adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Symptoms may include:
Depressed mood
Tearfulness
Feelings of hopelessness
Adjustment disorder with anxiety. Symptoms may include:
Nervousness
Worry
Jitteriness
Diagnosis:
A diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner or a registered psychologist is required.
Criteria Set for Adjustment Disorder
The Adjustment Disorder criteria set is derived from the DSM-5. The diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder may include a specifier which characterizes the predominant symptoms.
Criterion A
The development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor(s) occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor(s).
Criterion B
These symptoms or behaviors are clinically significant, as evidenced by one or both of the following:
Marked distress that is out of proportion to the severity or intensity of the stressor, taking into account the external context and the cultural factors that might influence symptom severity and presentation.
Significant impairment in social, or occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Criterion C
The stress-related disturbance does not meet the criteria for another mental disorder and is not merely an exacerbation of a preexisting mental disorder.
Criterion D
The symptoms do not represent normal bereavement.
Criterion E
Once the stressor or its consequences has terminated, the symptoms do not persist for more than an additional 6 months.
Treatment
Specific treatment for adjustment disorders will be decided by the psychologist or health care provider.
References:
Hopkins. J . Adjustment Disorders. Quoted on February 27, 2021 from:
Veterans Affairs Canada (2011). Adjustment disorder. Quoted on February 27, 2021 from:
Mayo Clinic Staff (2017). Adjustment Disorders. Quoted on February 27, 2021 from: