For more than 50 years, clinicians have been using the term adjustment disorder to describe individuals who are struggling to deal with a particular stressful situation or ongoing circumstance that causes distress. Show
Adjustment disorders are the most common diagnosed mental health issues and they may be diagnosed in children, adolescents, and adults. Most studies report about 1% of the population may have an adjustment disorder at any given time. What Is an Adjustment Disorder?DefinitionAn adjustment disorder is defined by difficulty adjusting to life stressors. Moving to a new city, changes in a relationship, or shifting to a new career are just a few examples of stressors that may cause someone to experience mood or behavioral disturbances. Adjustment Disorder SymptomsAccording to the DSM-5, the newest diagnostic manual used by clinicians to diagnose mental illness, the criteria for adjustment disorder includes:
The symptoms must not persist for more than six months after the stressor has ended. They must also be out of proportion for the person’s culture and cannot represent normal bereavement. The disturbance also must not meet criteria for another mental disorder (like depression or anxiety). Clinicians specify how the symptoms affect an individual’s functioning by indicating if the adjustment disorder is:
Here are some examples of times when an adjustment disorder diagnosis may be warranted:
CausesAdjustment disorders can stem from a variety of stressful situations and experiences. Some of them may be single events, like a natural disaster, changing jobs, moving to a new city, or getting married. At other times, adjustment disorders stem from ongoing difficulties, like the stress associated with launching a business or moving away to college. It’s not always clear why some individuals adjust to stressful circumstances more easily than others. Even when an entire family or group of children are exposed to the same stressful situation, some may develop adjustment disorders while others don’t. While any stressful life circumstance can place you at risk of developing an adjustment disorder, the way you cope with the stress plays a role in whether you develop an adjustment disorder. Additionally, these factors may also impact your adjustment:
DiagnosisThere isn’t a specific test used to diagnose adjustment disorders. Instead, a physician or mental health professional will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms. A physician may run routine tests to ensure your symptoms aren’t caused by an underlying health issue. Once a physician rules out medical illnesses, you may be referred to a mental health professional for further assessment. A mental health professional may ask you to complete some forms or questionnaires so information can be gathered efficiently. You may also be interviewed about your symptoms and the stressful life experience you encountered (you might not recognize a stressful life experience causing the adjustment disorder). The clinician will use the DSM-5 to determine if you meet the criteria for an adjustment disorder based on the information you provided. Adjustment Disorder TreatmentMany people with adjustment disorders find that treatment helps ease their distress and assists them in moving past a stressful event in a more productive, helpful way. Treatment often consists of talk therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Talk TherapyTalk therapy is typically the preferred course of treatment for an adjustment disorder. The type of therapy used may depend on the therapist’s expertise and the individual’s needs. In general, talk therapy may provide emotional support, assist with identifying healthy coping skills, teach stress management strategies, and help you establish healthy habits. If you’re the parent or partner of someone with an adjustment disorder, you may be invited to attend therapy as well. Family therapy may teach you the best way to support an individual who is experiencing an adjustment disorder. MedicationMedication may be used to address depression or anxiety that accompanies an adjustment disorder. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may only be needed for a short time but make sure to speak with your physician before adjusting any dosages or discontinuing any medications. CopingIf you notice you aren’t bouncing back from a stressful event as well as you might like, you can take steps to improve your resilience and help you feel better. These strategies may help you cope with the adjustment issues you’re experiencing:
If you’re struggling to feel better on your own, reach out to a mental health professional who can assist you in finding strategies that help you feel better. A Word From VerywellIt’s likely that most people will experience an adjustment disorder at one point or another in their lives. It’s not a sign of weakness. If you’re struggling don’t beat yourself up by thinking you should be doing better. Instead, get proactive about taking care of yourself and seek professional help to support your efforts. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Additional Reading
By Amy Morin,
LCSW Thanks for your feedback! What is adjustment disorder with mixed emotions code?ICD-10 code F43. 25 for Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders .
What is emotional adjustment disorder?Adjustment Disorders Overview
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 three months of it happening.
Is adjustment disorder a serious mental illness?No, adjustment disorders are different than depression or other serious mental illnesses. They are often an emotional responses to a stressful event. They will begin to go away and subside when the stressor is removed – although often not immediately.
What is adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety?Children who have an adjustment disorder with anxiety may strongly fear being separated from their parents and loved ones. With mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Symptoms include a combination of depression and anxiety. With disturbance of conduct.
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