The main characteristics of adjustment disorder

During the course of our lives, people are encountering various setbacks, obstacles or unforeseen events that force us to change our course or the direction we had taken, many times automatic.

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

However, some people present some difficulties in coping with new situations that may generate stress, developing in the attempt a series of emotional or behavioral symptoms.

This phenomenon is known as “maladaptive disorder”., an alteration that can be related to the appearance of other serious psychological pathologies and that At present, it constitutes a real public health problem for thousands of people in our country.

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What is adjustment disorder?

Adjustment disorder can be more specifically defined as “a physiological response to stressful situations” that

the person cannot manage normally and that is related to the appearance of emotional, cognitive or behavioral symptoms clinically significant.

The symptoms associated with adjustment disorder usually appear within three months of the stress-generating phenomenon, which can be very varied and affect differently different people.

These symptoms are related to states of discomfort, anguish or internal suffering that can affect or not to the personal or professional life of the person who suffers said adjustment disorder in his day to day day.

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 persistently over time, especially if they are Associated with another disorder that may have developed, both anxious and in cases of stress chronic.

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Adjustment Disorder Characteristics

The adjustment disorder is one of the most frequent alterations that exist and take place in the life of anyone facing a new and stressful event or event that tests their health mental.

It is estimated that this disorder It 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 life episodes the prevalence is above 50%.

These events can be, as has been indicated, of a diverse nature: From changes of school in student children and adolescents, own accidents or that of a family member, loss of employment or problems in interpersonal relationships such as a break in couple.

There are some cases in which the adjustment disorder can evolve into other mental health disorders, as can 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 diseases or associated disorders, it ends up affecting even more the mental health of the person and generating other serious disorders associated with depression, anxiety or stress widespread.

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Types of adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorders can be classified in various ways, the most common being 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 a different duration depending on the person it affects, and as indicated, it does not affect all people in the same way.

According to this classification, adjustment disorder can be acute (when it lasts less than six months), or chronic (when its duration is 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 ones.

2.1. Adjustment disorder with anxiety

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

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

2.2. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

Related to feelings of sadness, pain, permanent crying, hopelessness or general 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.

23. mixed adjustment disorder

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

This is a fairly common disorder and can be successfully treated by a qualified psychology professional.

2.4. Adjustment disorder with conduct disorder

They appear above all 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 difficulties respecting parental or teacher authority and exhibit impulsive or defiant behavior.

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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 their private life is affected on 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. unspecified adjustment disorder

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

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