Adjustment Disorders are a short term condition arising due to difficulty in managing the stressful life changes such as coping with work-related problems, loss of loved ones, or relationship issues that leads to significant impairment in functioning.
Causes:
Extreme stress or multiple stressors can cause an adjustment disorder. Family history and genetics may also play a role in increasing the risk of development of adjustment disorder.
Symptoms:
Symptoms may include emotional disturbances like sadness, extreme fear, excessive happiness; Behavioral disturbances like extreme decrease or increase in activity, erratic behaviors; Biological symptoms like sleep disturbances (increased or decreased), disturbance in appetite (increase or decrease).
Diagnosis:
A mental health professional confirms the diagnosis based on the standard guidelines for mental health disorders.
Facts
Treatable by a medical professional
Diagnosed by medical professional
Doesn't require lab test or imaging
Can last several months
More common in females
Know More
The symptoms arising due to the stress should cause significant impairment of social, occupational and personal functioning and the distress maybe out of proportion to the amount of stress.
The symptoms appear within 3 months of the stressor and don't last more than 6 months.
Based on the symptoms, adjustment disorder can be categorized into:
· Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
· Adjustment disorder with anxiety
· Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood
· Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct
· Adjustment disorder unspecified"
Symptoms
CHARACTERISTIC
COMMON
The symptoms depend on the type of stress and may vary from person to person. The most common symptoms may include:
Anxiety
Withdrawing from the social environment
Depressed mood
Feeling of hopelessness
Insomnia
Headaches
Anger and disruptive behavior
Loss of appetite
Suicidal thoughts
Causes
Any significant change in life, causing stress followed by difficulty coping with the pressure can result in adjustment disorder. Genetics and environmental issues may also contribute to increasing the risk.
The causes can include events such as:
Death of a loved one
Separation from spouse or parents
Illness
Job loss
In adolescents, stressors include:
Problems in school
Relationship issues
The factors that can increase the risk of a person developing Adjustment Disorder are:
Genetic predisposition
History of traumatic events
Presence of stressful life circumstances
Diagnosis
COMMON
A mental health professional confirms the diagnosis based on the standard guidelines for mental health disorders.
Psychological examination
Discussion with a psychotherapist helps find the signs and symptoms of this disorder.
Treatments
COMMONLY RECOMMENDED
This is a short term condition. Psychotherapy helps overcome the condition; mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety drugs can help a quick outcome or in severe conditions.
MEDICATION
Antidepressants
Usually, mild doses are prescribed to treat clinical depression or prevent it from recurring. Can also help with sleep and appetite disturbances.
Common drugs :
Anti anxiety drugs
Used to treat clinical anxiety or prevent it from recurring. Can also help with sleep.
Common drugs :
THERAPY
Cognitive behavior therapy
Is an effective treatment for depression, anxiety and other emotional or behavioral disturbances
Complications
You will overcome the condition with proper care. If untreated for a long time, it might lead to:
· Anxiety disorders
· Mood disorders
· Substance use disorders
· Suicidal thoughts/impulses/acts
Prevention
· Develop a strong network of people to support you
· Look for the positive or humor in hard situations
· Develop healthy coping skills
· Establish good self-esteem
· Think positive
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
· Why did I develop this disorder?
· Is adjustment disorder treatable?
· How long will it take to get better?
· What lifestyle changes should I make?
Nutrition
FOODS TO EAT
FOODS TO AVOID
Though there are no specific food which can help the mental status. Health diet helps keep the mind and body fit
Foods to eat:
Sources of antioxidants such as oranges, broccoli and spinach
Food rich in fat to manage mood swings e.g. fish, seeds and nuts
Foods to avoid:
Foods with highly processed sugar such as cakes, and cookies
Alcohol
Caffeine
Comments