Mental illness is no respecter of persons. Approximately 13% of people have some sort of mental disorder. According to health care professionals, there are about 200 different known illnesses. Of course, that does not take into account the varying degrees. Plus, a lot of people who need treatment never recognize they have a problem in the first place. Many of the mental challenges are stress related. People do not know how to handle stress, and do not understand how to handle it properly. One such mental health issue is adjustment disorders.
So, what is adjustment disorder? Do you or someone you love have major difficulty accepting change and coping with anything new? If so, it may be an adjustment disorder. According to Mayo Clinic, the mental illness is: “a type ofstress-related mental illness. You may feel anxious or depressed, or even have thoughts of suicide. You may not be able to go about some of your daily routines, such as work or seeing friends. Or you may make reckless decisions. In essence, you have a hard time adjusting to change in your life, and it has serious consequences”.
A lot of people do not change, and tend to get stressed when faced with new situations. Actually, it is quite normal. Most individuals will eventually get used to the new circumstances in a reasonable amount of time. But, for others, it is totally devastating and leads to depression. It can be hard to resume any normal quality of life. It may adversely affect personal relationship, or the ability to get a job.
Do I?
Do you or someone you love have adjustment disorder? The symptoms are persistent. It is not just a temporary depression for a few days or weeks. Acute adjustment disorder can last up to six months. If it lasts long than that, it is considered chronic adjustment disorder. Either way, it can ruin a good quality of life by making it hard to keep a job, maintain relationship, and all of the other normal aspects of life that are always subject to change.
So, if you suspect an adjustment disorder, the Mayo Clinic says to look for these emotional signs:
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
- Lack of enjoyment
- Crying spells
- Nervousness
- Thoughts of suicide
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Desperation
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
Anyone can suffer from adjustment disorder, but it seems to be more pronounced in children. A big clue is to think about any major changes that have taken place within the last three months. If the symptoms started about that time, it may be a sign that an adjustment disorder may be making life miserable.
Sadly, there are also behavioral clues to adjustment disorder, especially in minors. For parents, it may seem like you child has been replaced by a clone with a different personality. He/she may start acting out through:
- Fighting
- Reckless driving
- Ignoring bills
- Avoiding family or friends
- Poor school or work performance
- Skipping school
- Vandalism
Clueless
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms of adjustment disorder, it can be a very confusing time for you as well. You are naturally full of questions and concerns. Most parents are quick to blame themselves, and wonder why their child cannot accept change, when other kids seem to hope for something different and exciting to happen. Unfortunately, doctors are still not sure why some people are ruled by the desire for sameness. Maybe it is a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, temperament, or something that has happened in the past.
What Next
If you can see the signs of adjustment disorder in yourself or someone you care about, it is time to get some help. It is okay to have a normal adjustment period, but when it goes on for months, and is underscored by behavioral changes, you need to find some help. People who do not seek professional care are more likely to sink into a life of depression, fall into the trap of drug and/or alcohol abuse, or even get to the point of contemplating suicide. Before it gets to that point, get help.
The Cavalry
No one has to live under the weight of an adjustment disorder. Psychotherapy is one treatment that can be effective. Being able to talk about it on a personal level is great for learning about the disorder and how to cope with it on a daily basis. Also, group therapy can be helpful. Knowing other people have the same disorder, and no one suffers alone, can be very healing. Of course, the doctor can also prescribe medication to help his/her patient deal with the stress and depression.
In short, adjustment disorders are not a problem that most people discuss over a cup of coffee. But, many people have a difficult time adjusting to changes in life. Simply recognizing the problem is half of the battle. With help, the rest of the battle can be won, and adjustment disorder sufferers can move on to lead a good quality of life.