What is it about ?
Every big change in life (whether positive or negative) brings some form of stress. The reaction to this change is generally limited. You manage to adapt to it in an acceptable way. People with an adjustment disorder, on the other hand, develop excessive emotions or deviant behavior in the month following such a change, which makes their mental suffering more severe than one might expect in the given circumstances. The situation is such that they no longer manage to function well, neither socially nor professionally.
An adjustment disorder is therefore actually an abnormal reaction to a stressful event. Symptoms last a maximum of 6 months after the stressor disappears.
If the complaints follow the loss of a loved one or if the person already suffers from another mental disorder that may be relevant to the life situation, it is not an adjustment disorder.
How to recognize them?
Adjustment disorders manifest themselves in the form of anxiety, depression and changes in behavior. These symptoms appear within a month of the stressful situation. It is important to note that these are people who do not have other mental disorders. When stressors go away, adjustment disorders go away too.
We can classify adjustment disorders based on their main symptoms:
- Reactive depression: the main symptoms are depressed mood, crying and feelings of hopelessness;
- Reaction anxiety: the main symptoms are nervousness, worry and tension;
- Reactive behavior disorder: the main symptom is a violation of the rights of others and of age-related social norms and rules (eg, fighting, dangerous driving or vandalism);
- Reactive affective and behavioral disorder.
An adjustment disorder should not be underestimated. It can lead to self-destructive behavior, mainly in young people.
What can your doctor do?
The goal of crisis psychotherapy is to make the person feel listened to and understood, and slowly understand how they can function in the new life situation. Two or three sessions with a psychologist are usually sufficient.
Medicines have no interest, or only a very limited interest. Sometimes a short period of sick leave is justified.
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