Adjustment Issues

Adjustment Issues arise to many people when we face changes in our lives. Common types of stressors people experience include ending a relationship or marriage, losing or changing jobs, death of a loved one, developing a serious, chronic illness, being the victim of a crime, major life changes (getting married, having a baby), living through a natural disaster, or retirement. Often situations like these can shake one’s grounds. Going through such adjustment periods can increase the level of stress we experience. Typically, these challenges and the stress are usually transient and many individuals adjust within a few months. However, some people may find themselves having significant trouble adapting to their changing lives. 

People may experience a group of stress-related symptoms such as hopelessness, sadness, and feelings of being overwhelmed when they feel unable to properly cope or adjust to major life stressors or events. Over time, they find these feelings of stress and other related symptoms to be disproportionate to the actual stressful situations. 

The symptoms of adjustment disorder are experienced differently from person to person, often wildly enough that a diagnosis of adjustment disorder can be challenging. The one consistent characteristic of adjustment disorder is the symptoms appearing within a certain time period after a major, stressful life event. Adjustment disorders can affect how you feel and think about yourself and the world as well as your actions or behaviors. 

Some of the commonly experienced symptoms include:

• Frequent crying

• Worrying or feeling anxious, nervous, jittery or stressed out

• Fights with others or becoming unusually argumentative

• Ignoring or forgetting to take care of one’s responsibilities (e.g., bills, homework, chores)

• Avoiding social supports and/or feeling isolated, apart from others

• Poor work or school performance

• Changes in patterns of sleeping and eating

• Being late to work or school frequently and/or Excessive absenteeism

• Vandalizing and destroying property

• Difficulties making decisions

• Trouble concentrating

• Sadness and/or hopelessness

• Loss of self-esteem

• Inability to feel joy or pleasure

• Anxiety and nervousness

• Feeling “on-edge”

• Feelings of being overwhelmed

• Self-harm

• Thoughts of suicide and/or “wanting to escape”

This experience of difficulties experienced in the adjustment process may seem as if one is experiencing a major depressive episode or developing serious anxiety responses because of its resemblance to many of the symptoms of depressive disorders and/or anxiety disorders (e.g., crying spells, lack of confidence, loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities, changes in appetite and sleep, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, excessive worries, sleep difficulties, irritability, etc.) Some people may show behaviors or conduct that break the norms of society such as substance abuse, anger outbursts, or seeking revenge on other people through rather extreme means. However, adjustment disorder is different from other mental health disorders because adjustment disorder is the result of the influence of outside stressors and tends to resolve when one begins to adjust to the situation or the stressors are gone.  

Although there are no clear rules on how long and how much one would experience the difficulties from stressful situations as these experiences of the symptoms vary from person to person. It affects people differently at different ages and can happen at any age. Acute adjustment disorder features when someone experiences such symptoms for 6 months or less before resolution. Chronic adjustment disorder occurs when symptoms that cause major disruption in their lives are experienced for longer than 6 months.  

Many research studies have shown that the rates of adjustment disorder to be approximately 12% across a variety of populations and 23% in clinical situations. Some of the causes and risks factors for adjustment disorder include a complex interaction of various factors in genetics, environments, and physical concerns working together. 

Commonly identified risk factors include: 

• Other mental health disorders

• Lack of support system

• Traumatic events during childhood

• Difficult life circumstances (e.g., chronic health conditions, financial hardship, etc.)

• Chronic stressors 

• Physical or sexual abuse or assault

• Family disruptions, overprotective or abusive parenting as a child 

• Frequent moves in early life.  

Often many individuals mistakenly regard that adjustment disorder is less serious than other types of mental health conditions since its heavy focus on stress. Usually stressors are temporary, and we learn to cope with them over time. The symptoms tend to get better once the stress has eased. However, sometimes you may find that the stressful events remain a part of your life or a new stressful situation pops up, and you face the same struggles all over again. Adjustment disorders can impact one’s entire life, leading them to suffer in every aspect of their functioning. Getting prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial in one’s well-being. 

If left untreated, however, what was once someone’s reactions to stressful situations can develop into a long-term, chronic condition causing serious harm to the person. It is truer when there is no support available, leading to other sets of problems including burnouts, mood swings, and degraded physical and mental health. Especially, children and teens will most likely encounter long-term complications of adjustment disorder. Some of the most commonly reported impacts of untreated, chronic adjustment disorder include: depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. 

We know that you have everything you need to be successful. When you face challenges, you don't have to tough it out all on your own though. The treatment can be brief and it will likely help you regain your emotional ground. 

My work with patients who struggle with adjustment disorders has been successful, guiding them on effective ways to navigate through the challenges with various tools and skills. I am greatly rewarded in my work when patients successfully complete their treatment and resume the life they enjoy. I love helping people reclaim their life, feel empowered, and build hope and goals that they desire through the journey of recovery. 

To learn more about and discuss your problems with adjustment issues, please schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me.

*If you have thoughts or hurting yourself or someone else in any way, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, go to an emergency room, and/or talk with someone you trust. Also, you can call or text 988 to reach the  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat.  Services are free and confidential.