Adaptive Disorder: Everything You Need To Know

Adjustment disorder is characterized by  emotional behaviors that arise in response to identifiable stressors.  Behaviors and emotional reactions appear within three months of the stressful event.

Let’s see more about it.

An intense reaction to a stressful event

Broadly speaking, the patient experiences general malaise, irritability, nervousness, sadness, and symptoms of anxiety. However, each patient may manifest different symptoms, depending on the stressful event that is causing the adjustment disorder.

Now, the symptoms of this disorder that manifest will be clinically significant. In addition, they will show greater discomfort than would be expected from the trigger.

In addition, other symptoms related to the deterioration of work or academic life can be observed, also associated with the social environment. We can say that the adjustment disorder is a very intense reaction to a stressful event.

The reaction is severe enough to interfere with the personal, social, work or academic life of the patient. However, it is not so severe as to be classified as a depressive disorder or a mood disorder.

Types of adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorder can be classified as acute or chronic. And within each form there are different types, such as anxious or depressive. Likewise, we can find different subtypes, depending on the predominant symptomatology in the person.

The main types of adaptive disorders associated with the predominant symptoms based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Classification of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) are:

• Depressive : characterized by low mood, such as crying or hopelessness.
• Anxious : with a predominance of symptoms associated with anxiety: nervousness, irritability, etc.
• Mixed with anxiety and depressed mood : individuals present both types of above symptoms: low mood with irritability.
• Behavioral disorder : a behavioral alteration is observed, with violation of social norms and the rights of others.
• Mixed alteration of emotions and behavior : there are emotional and behavioral alterations.
• Unspecified : maladaptive reactions due to stressful causes that cannot be classified into the other types.

Treatment of adjustment disorder

Today, there is no consensus among specialists on the most recommended treatment for adjustment disorder. However, the choice of an effective treatment will depend on the clinical examination of the patient and his characteristics.

To begin with,  different types of psychotherapy are effective in alleviating and improving this emotional and behavioral disorder. In addition, in some cases, a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment helps the patient to reduce the symptoms.

Psychotherapy

In cases of adjustment disorders,  psychological therapy is advantageous to help the patient in several ways :

• First, help you adaptively interpret the triggers of the disorder.
• Teach you to analyze stressful causes rationally, thus eliminating irrational beliefs that lead to perceived feelings of stress.
• Instruct you in different ways of solving problems and conflicts.

• Teach him to reduce anxiety in making vital decisions.
• Minimize possible risk behaviors such as substance abuse and maximize coping skills such as emotional self-regulation.

This disorder occurs in a not very long period of time (three months after the triggers arise). So brief psychotherapy is advisable. Among the different forms of therapy that can be useful we find:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) : Therapeutic intervention, with scientifically proven efficacy, that would intervene on emotions, thoughts and behavior.
• Family therapy: Family members and closest people are helped to understand the disorder and its symptoms. In this way, communication is improved and possible conflicts that arise with the disorder are resolved.
• Group therapy: Helps the patient to express themselves freely about their feelings and experiences with the disease. In addition, it helps to find a way to understand and help each other.

• Mindfulness : It consists of paying attention, moment by moment, to thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and the surrounding environment. Teaches the patient to relax and become aware of the present moment.

Psychopharmacology

The use of pharmacology can help reduce symptoms. However, it is important that if it is done, it is done in conjunction with psychotherapy. This is because otherwise the causes of the problem will not be fully addressed.

To reduce discomfort or nervousness, as well as anxiety, a few small doses of anxiolytics may be prescribed. For example, diazepam.

Adaptive disorder: other recommendations

If you suspect that you may have an adaptive disorder, see your doctor. If you have symptoms, your doctor can do a physical exam and ask questions about your medical and mental health history.

Your doctor will likely refer you to a psychologist or other trained mental health professional to help people when they have trouble coping with and managing stressful life events.