The main features of adjustment disorder

During the course of our lives, people encounter various setbacks, obstacles or unforeseen events that force us to change our course or the direction we had taken, often automatically.

When these types of surprises or unforeseen situations occur, it is up to us to successfully adapt to the new change and use different strategies that we keep in our behavioral and cognitive repertoire.

However, some people have some difficulty coping with new situations that can generate stress , developing a series of emotional or behavioral symptoms in the process.

This phenomenon is known as "misadaptive disorder" , an alteration that can be related to the appearance of other serious psychological pathologies and that currently constitutes a real public health problem for thousands of people in our country.

What is adjustment disorder?

Adjustment disorder can be defined more specifically as "a physiological response to stressful situations" that the person cannot manage normally and that is related to the appearance of clinically significant emotional, cognitive or behavioral symptoms .

The symptoms associated with adjustment disorder usually appear during the three months following the stress-generating phenomenon, which can be very varied and affect different people in different ways.

These symptoms are related to states of discomfort, anguish or internal suffering that may or may not affect the personal or professional life of the person suffering from said adjustment disorder in their daily life.

In the clinical setting, it has been concluded that this disorder resolves 6 months after the disappearance of the stressor stimulus ; however, the symptoms can persist over time, especially if they are associated with another disorder that may have developed, both of the anxious type and in cases of chronic stress.

Characteristics of adjustment disorder

The adjustment disorder is one of the most frequent alterations that exist and take place in the life of any person who faces a new and stressful event or occurrence that puts their mental health to the test.

It is estimated that this disorder has a prevalence of between 2% and 8% in children, adolescents and the elderly belonging to the general population . In hospitalized people it rises to 12% and in people who have suffered difficult or stressful vital episodes it is over 50% prevalence.

These events can be, as indicated, of various kinds: From school changes in children and adolescent students, own accidents or in a family member, loss of job or problems in interpersonal relationships such as a breakup of a couple.

There are some cases in which the adjustment disorder can evolve into other mental health disorders , as may be the case of children and adolescents who develop a major depressive disorder together with the adjustment disorder.

It is evident that when the person presents other associated diseases or disorders, it ends up affecting the person's mental health even more and generating other serious disorders associated with depression, anxiety or generalized stress.

Types of adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorders can be classified in various ways, the most common are according to the duration of the disorder or according to the type of symptoms that predominate in it.

1. According to the duration of the adjustment disorder

The duration of the adjustment disorder can have different duration depending on the person it affects, and as has been indicated, it does not affect all people in the same way.

According to this classification, the adjustment disorder can be acute (when it lasts less than six months), or chronic (when it lasts six months or more).

2. According to the type of symptoms that predominate in the adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorders can be of a different nature depending on their predominant symptoms, below we present the most frequent.

2.1. adjustment disorder with anxiety

It is eminently related to the appearance of symptoms of anxiety, such as tension, permanent worry, stress, excessive agitation or sweating.

Anxiety can affect the correct and normal performance of the person , both at a personal, interpersonal or work level.

2.2. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

Related to feelings of sadness, pain, permanent crying, despair or generalized pessimism. People with this type of disorder tend to isolate themselves socially and avoid participating in all kinds of situations that they used to enjoy.

2.3. mixed adjustment disorder

Mixed adjustment disorder combines symptoms related to anxiety and also to depressed mood.

It is a fairly common disorder and can be successfully treated by a qualified psychological professional.

2.4. Adjustment disorder with behavioral disorder

They appear especially in children and adolescents who end up developing difficulties in relating correctly to their environment.

People who suffer from this type of adjustment disorder often have difficulty respecting parental or teacher authority and present impulsive or defiant behavior .

2.5. Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and behavior

It is based on a combination of emotional symptoms related to exacerbated discomfort and behavioral disorders.

People with this disorder also see their private life affected at an interpersonal level, as well as their academic or professional work . It is also related to the difficulty of relating to other people and respecting authority.

2.6. Adjustment disorder not otherwise specified

The last of the adjustment disorders is not related to any of the classic psychological disorders. Similarly, its symptoms can be diverse and affect the person differently without following a certain pattern.