What are adjustment disorders and how can Talkiatry help?

What are adjustment disorders and how can Talkiatry help?

Reviewed by:
Austin Lin, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
at Talkiatry
July 13, 2021

Adjustment disorders are responses to stress. They are characterized by excessive emotional or behavioral responses to an identifiable, highly stressful event, situation, or life change. There are six subcategories of adjustment disorders, each with different symptoms and signs that can vary from person to person. While anyone can develop an adjustment disorder, children and adolescents are more likely to be diagnosed than adults.

Stressful or unexpected events such as relationship problems, work or school difficulties, or the death of loved ones can cause higher than ‘normal; levels of stress. Some people can adjust to these changes after a few months. However, suppose you or you or your child continue to experience extreme stress levels and difficulty coping months after a significant stressor. In that case, you may wish to consult a mental health professional to determine if you have an adjustment disorder.

Symptoms of adjustment disorders

Adjustment disorders are generally short-term, with symptoms appearing within three months of a stressful event and rarely lasting longer than six months. 

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5), common symptoms of adjustment disorders include:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or not enjoying things you used to enjoy
  • Crying frequently
  • Feeling worried, nervous, anxious, jittery, or stressed out
  • Changes in sleep and appetite
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Feeling easily overwhelmed
  • Irritability
  • Difficulties functioning in daily activities
  • Withdrawing from social support systems
  • Changes in behavior/acting out (more commonly seen in children)

It's important to note that adjustment disorders may present with symptoms similar to those seen in other mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD), but they are very different. Therefore, if you believe you have an adjustment disorder, we recommend seeking an evaluation by a psychiatrist to understand your condition and symptoms better.

Treatment for adjustment disorders

At Talkiatry, we determine the treatment of adjustment disorders considering the patient's age, the severity of symptoms, the precipitating event, and the condition's specific cause. Adjustment disorders are primarily treated with psychotherapy, although medication may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms in some cases. 

Psychotherapy

Talkiatry's psychiatric team believes that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is the most effective treatment for adjustment disorders. More specifically, they may recommend interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a short-term psychotherapy treatment, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to change or reframe unproductive thinking and behavior. In both forms of psychotherapy, our psychiatrists encourage patients to express their emotions in a supportive environment and constructive manner and help them understand that a typical stress reaction has become out of control but is still within their power to control. In addition, patients learn coping skills to manage future stressful situations in a healthier manner. 

Medication management 

Our psychiatrists do not typically recommend medication to treat adjustment disorders. However, they may prescribe medication to treat symptoms associated with adjustment disorders, such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Recommended medications might include SSRIs, SNRIs, sleep aids, or short-term anti-anxiety medication. 

Adjustment disorders are typically short-term and may only require a few sessions for the symptoms to be fully managed. However, treatment can also prove to be a long-term process, depending on the individual. 

Take the next step with Talkiatry

Talkiatry, an outpatient mental health practice, can provide diagnosis and treatment plans for managing adjustment disorder symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication. 

Our affordable, in-network psychiatric care model is tailored to meet all your individual needs. In addition, we offer flexible telemedicine and in-office appointment options to match our therapeutic and modern approach to psychiatric care.

If you believe you are suffering from an adjustment disorder, please don't hesitate to seek treatment from a medical professional. Start the process by taking our free and easy assessment to receive a preliminary diagnosis and better understand your symptoms. You will then be matched with one of our psychiatrists who specializes in adjustment disorders, who will be able to provide you with a customized treatment plan for managing your symptoms.

Take the assessment today to get started.

Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Dr. Austin Lin is a double board-certified adult and addiction psychiatrist who has been in practice for over 9 years. At the center of Dr. Lin’s clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust and using a collaborative approach to help patients develop an individualized and cohesive plan so that they are able to achieve their goals.

Dr. Lin's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, and/or cognitive behavioral therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, Dr. Lin may recommend that additional therapy is needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team in order to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Lin received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He went on to complete his residency in psychiatry at Harvard South Shore, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, where he served as Chief Resident and earned his 360° Professionalism award. He then had additional training in Addiction Psychiatry through his fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. After completing training, Dr. Lin has worked as an Addiction Psychiatrist and Director of Adult Services in the Trauma and Resilience Center (TRC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). He specialized in treating patients with a history of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Lin has held an academic appointment at UTHealth, and he has spent his professional career supervising and teaching medical students and psychiatry residents.



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