Online Medications

Learn About Adjustment Disorders

What is an adjustment disorder?
An adjustment disorder is defined as an emotional or behavioral reaction to an identifiable stressful event or change in a person’s life that is considered maladaptive or somehow not an expected healthy response to the event or change. The reaction must occur within three months of the identified stressful event or change happening. The identifiable stressful event or change in the life of a child or adolescent may be a family move, parental divorce or separation, the loss of a pet, birth of a brother or sister, to name a few.

What are the causes of adjustment disorders?
Adjustment disorders are a reaction to stress. There is not a single direct cause between the stressful event and the reaction. Children and adolescents vary in their temperament, past experiences, vulnerability, and coping skills. Their developmental stage and the capacity of their support system to meet their specific needs related to the stress are factors that may contribute to their reaction to a particular stress. Stressors also vary in duration, intensity, and effect. No evidence is available to suggest a specific biological factor that causes adjustment disorders.

Who is affected by adjustment disorders?
Adjustment disorders are quite common in children and adolescents. They occur equally in males and females. While adjustment disorders occur in all cultures, the stressors and the signs may vary based on cultural influences. Adjustment disorders occur at all ages, however, it is believed that characteristics of the disorder are different in children and adolescents than they are in adults. Differences are noted in the symptoms experienced, severity and duration of symptoms, and in the outcome. Adolescent symptoms of adjustment disorders are more behavioral such as acting out, while adults experience more depressive symptoms.

What are the symptoms of an adjustment disorder?
In all adjustment disorders, the reaction to the stressor seems to be in excess of a normal reaction, or the reaction significantly interferes with social or occupational (educational) functioning. There are six subtypes of adjustment disorder that are based on the type of the major symptoms experienced.

The following are the most common symptoms of each of the subtypes of adjustment disorder. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• adjustment disorder with depressed mood
  • depressed mood
  • tearfulness
  • feelings of hopelessness
• adjustment disorder with anxiety
  • nervousness
  • worry
  • jitteriness
  • fear of separation from major attachment figures
• adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood
  A combination of symptoms from both of the above subtypes (depressed mood and anxiety) is present.
• adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct
  • violation of the rights of others
  • violation of societal norms and rules (truancy, destruction of property, reckless driving, fighting)
• adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct
  A combination of symptoms from all of the above subtypes are present (depressed mood, anxiety, and conduct).
• adjustment disorder unspecifiedReactions to stressful events that do not fit in one of the above subtypes are present. Reactions may include behaviors such as social withdrawal or inhibitions to normally expected activities (i.e., school or work).