Adjustment Disorder

[almaty 19]

adjustment disorder may occur for the spouse/ fiancee coming to america...i posted this as a helpful resouce..note: this is not to say that this, will be a condition experienced by all or most ..just some info...

Adjustment Disorder is an abnormal and excessive reaction to an identifiable life stressor. The reaction is severe and excessive compared with what would normally be expected to such stressors, and, or, results in impaired functioning. The response is linked to one or many stressors. The stressor may be a single event (a flood or fire, marriage, divorce, starting school, new job) or may occur often (child witnessing parents constantly fighting, chemotherapy, financial difficulties).

Adjustment Disorder often occurs with one of the following: depressed Mood (patient is tearful, sad, hopeless); anxiety (patient is nervous, fearful, worried); mixed anxiety and depressed mood; disturbance of conduct (patient violates rules or rights of others); mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct; unspecified (problems related to job, physical complaints, social isolation). Adjustment disorders are associated with higher risk of suicide and suicidal behavior; substance abuse; prolonging of other medical disorders or interference with their treatment. Adjustment disorder that persists may progress to become a more serious mental disorder (major depressive disorder).

Symptoms:

Hopelessness

Frequent crying

Depressed mood

Impaired occupational/social functioning

Insomnia

Agitation

Trembling or twitching

Somatic complaints (general aches and pains, stomachache, headache, chest pain)

Palpitations

Conduct disturbances

Physical complaints

Withdrawal

Anxiety, worry, stress, and tension

Note: Symptoms may vary widely . The person may or may not be aware of the stressor causing the disturbance.

Diagnosis depends on the following:

The reaction clearly follows a life stressor. Within three months of stressor onset, emotional and behavior symptoms develop in response to stressor

Symptoms seem excessive compared to what would normally be expected in relation to stressor and, or, symptoms significantly impair occupational, school or social functioning

Symptoms are not explained by another diagnosis

Symptoms are not part of bereavement

Symptoms do not last longer than six months after end of stressor

The diagnosis may be acute (symptoms last less than six months) or chronic (symptoms last six months or longer as when stressors are chronic or have lasting effects)

top of page

Causes

The cause is a life stressor. Adults usually develop adjustment disorders to stressors related to marital discord, finances, or work. In adolescents, common stressors include school problems, family or parents' marital problems, or sexuality issues. Other types of stressors include death of a loved one, life changes, unexpected catastrophes, medical conditions such as cancer and subsequent treatments.

There is no way to predict which people are likely to develop adjustment disorder, given the same stressor. Factors that influence how well a person reacts to stress may include economic conditions, availability of social supports, and occupational and recreational opportunities. Intrapersonal susceptibility to stress may include such factors as social skills, intelligence, genetics, and coping strategies.

Treatment

The primary goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and help the person with achieving a level of functioning that is comparable to the person's level of functioning before the stressful event. Most mental health professionals recommend a form of psychosocial treatment for this disorder. Treatments include individual psychotherapy, family therapy, behavior therapy, and self-help groups. Realistic short-term goals should be made at the start of therapy, as the course of adjustment disorder is short-term in nature. Goals of therapy will often center around social supports available to the individual in his or her life in the form of family, friends, and community. The individual's coping and problem solving skills will be explored and developed. Relaxation techniques might be explored to help the individual deal with feelings of stress. More specific goals of treatment will include eliciting the patient's concern and helping the individual understand his or her role in the stressors, review and reinforce positive steps the patient has taken to deal with the stress, teaching ways to cope or avoid stressors in the future, helping the individual to place stressors in perspective with relation to overall life, helping the individual to understand his reaction to the stressors, and helping the individual view stressors as chance for positive change or improvement.

Family therapy may be recommended for cases in which the patient is younger (child, adolescent), as well as effective communication and coping with stress skills. When medications are used, they are used in addition to psychosocial treatment. Prescription medication may be helpful in easing the depression or the anxiety associated with adjustment disorder. However, treatment of adjustment disorders usually excludes use of medication.

Family therapy may be recommended for cases in which the patient is younger (child, adolescent), as well as effective communication and coping with stress skills. When medications are used, they are used in addition to psychosocial treatment. Prescription medication may be helpful in easing the depression or the anxiety associated with adjustment disorder. However, treatment of adjustment disorders usually excludes use of medication.

Course and Prognosis

Adjustment disorder is defined as beginning within three months of the onset of an identifiable stressor and lasts no longer that six months after the stressors have ceased. Most people recover from adjustment disorders without any remaining symptoms if they have no previous history of mental illness and have access to stable social support.

It is important for these individuals to maintain and develop healthy diets and sleeping patterns as well as develop and maintain a strong social support system

[anya-D 8]

[Sister Fracas 5]

note: this is not to say that this, will be a condition experienced by all or most ..just some info...

Glad you said this because sometimes I think we worry so much that adjustment will be horrible that we miss the countless stories of people who are doing just fine...with minor adjustment issues.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

note: this is not to say that this, will be a condition experienced by all or most ..just some info...

Glad you said this because sometimes I think we worry so much that adjustment will be horrible that we miss the countless stories of people who are doing just fine...with minor adjustment issues.

Not to mention the countless untold stories of people in between.

[Sister Fracas 5]

note: this is not to say that this, will be a condition experienced by all or most ..just some info...

Glad you said this because sometimes I think we worry so much that adjustment will be horrible that we miss the countless stories of people who are doing just fine...with minor adjustment issues.

Not to mention the countless untold stories of people in between.

Those are probably the same people I mean...cuz no one has it completely perfect. Yanno...there is a sliding scale .... Perfect -----------in between--------------Horrible and most folks fall in between.

[almaty 19]

well, there is an adjustment process and different states or levels..some people who move, become incapable of dealing with it..just a little info...i hope it helps out...

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

Symptoms:

Hopelessness

Frequent crying

Depressed mood

Impaired occupational/social functioning

Insomnia

Agitation

Trembling or twitching

Somatic complaints (general aches and pains, stomachache, headache, chest pain)

Palpitations

Conduct disturbances

Physical complaints

Withdrawal

Anxiety, worry, stress, and tension

Note: Symptoms may vary widely . The person may or may not be aware of the stressor causing the disturbance.

so that explains the parades yesterday.....

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth's family is having a hard time adjusting to not getting her monthly allowance from me Actually we do send them money

[moondancer627 0]

Yep, it sounds like we got it, Anton and I are both depressed at times. We're together which is good. Depression comes in the fact that I have no choice but to slave for the next few years as his sponsor and he's stressed cause no work permit, he can't go anywhere to get out of the heat, and he's trying hard to deal with all this....

I know exercise helps alot and good music....

Moondancer

[MrMrsKnight 0]

Thank you so much for posting this Dean!!!!!! Really, very good information!!!

[Welshcookie 17]

Can I make an appointment with you when I arrive in the US??.....