Adjustment Disorder

Life changes—work, family, parents, children—can cause a lot of stress in life. An adjustment disorder means you have trouble dealing with change and stress. This problem can have serious results. You may feel helpless or depressed. You may make bad decisions. You may even feel like you want to hurt yourself.

Adjustment disorder can cause anxiety or depression. It's set off by stresses, such as:

• Death of a loved one.

• Divorce.

• Marriage.

• General life changes, such as changing or leaving a job.

• Moving.

• Illness or another health issue for you or a family member.

• Sex.

• Money.

There are 3 main types of adjustment disorder. You may have only 1 or a mixture of them. They include:

• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

• Adjustment disorder with anxiety.

• Adjustment disorder with misconduct.

Symptoms may include:

• Sadness or crying.

• Anxiety.

• Insomnia.

• Poor concentration.

• Trouble doing simple things.

• New problems at work or with family or friends.

• Loss of self-esteem.

• Sense of hopelessness.

• Feeling trapped or cut off from others.

With this condition, it's common to feel sad, guilty, hopeless, and restless. These feelings may continue for weeks or months. It can be helpful to identify what's causing the additional stress. Then take steps to get extra support. If new stressful events don't happen, it's likely that you will gradually start feeling better.

Adjustment disorder may be treated with:

• Talk therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you deal with your feelings.

• Medicines. Sometimes you may be prescribed medicines to relieve symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, or depression