What is adjustment disorder with anxiety

Whatever the trigger is, the event may become too much for you. There is no way to predict which people who are affected by the same stress are likely to develop adjustment disorder. Your social skills before the event and how you have learned to deal with stress in the past may play roles. Symptoms of adjustment disorder are often severe enough to affect work or social life.

Symptoms include:. Sometimes, symptoms can be severe and the person may have thoughts of suicide or make a suicide attempt. Your health care provider will do a mental health assessment to find out about your behavior and symptoms. You may be referred to a psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis. The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and help you return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occurred.

Most mental health professionals recommend some type of talk therapy. This type of therapy can help you identify or change your responses to the stressors in your life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is a type of talk therapy. It can help you deal with your feelings:. In general, talk therapy may provide emotional support, assist with identifying healthy coping skills, teach stress management strategies, and help you establish healthy habits. Family therapy may teach you the best way to support an individual who is experiencing an adjustment disorder. Medication 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. Instead, get proactive about taking care of yourself and seek professional help to support your efforts.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Adjustment disorders: prevalence in a representative nationwide survey in Germany. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Definition An adjustment disorder is defined by difficulty adjusting to life stressors. Adaptation in Piaget's Theory of Development. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! These can include the death of a loved one, relationship issues, or being fired from work.

While everyone encounters stress, some people have trouble handling certain stressors. The inability to adjust to the stressful event can cause one or more severe psychological symptoms and sometimes even physical symptoms.

There are six types of adjustment disorders, each type with distinct symptoms and signs. These disorders are treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. With help, you can usually recover from an adjustment disorder quickly. The mental and physical symptoms associated with adjustment disorder usually occur during or immediately after you experience a stressful event. Some people have just one symptom. Others may experience many symptoms. There is one type of adjustment disorder that is associated with physical symptoms as well as psychological ones.

These physical symptoms can include:. People diagnosed with this type of adjustment disorder tend to experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. You may also find that you no longer enjoy activities that you did formerly. Symptoms associated with adjustment disorder with anxiety include feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and worried.

People with this disorder may also have problems with concentration and memory. For children, this diagnosis is usually associated with separation anxiety from parents and loved ones. Symptoms of this type of adjustment disorder mainly involve behavioral issues like driving recklessly or starting fights. Symptoms linked to this type of adjustment disorder include depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems.

These often include physical symptoms or problems with friends, family, work, or school. A variety of stressful events can cause an adjustment disorder.

Some common causes in adults include:. Anyone can develop an adjustment disorder. Your social skills and methods for coping with other stressors may determine whether or not you develop an adjustment disorder.

If you receive an adjustment disorder diagnosis, you would probably benefit from treatment. You may require only short-term treatment or may need to be treated over an extended period of time. Adjustment disorder is typically treated with therapy, medications, or a combination of both. Therapy is the primary treatment for an adjustment disorder.