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Diagnosis Print Advertisement

Diagnosis of adjustment disorders is based on

identification of major life stressors, your
symptoms and how they impact your ability to
function. Your doctor will ask about your medical,
mental health and social history. He or she may
use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by
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companies or products.
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For diagnosis of adjustment disorders, the DSM-5 our not-for-profit mission.
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Types of adjustment disorders The Mayo Clinic Diet Online

The DSM-5 lists six different types of adjustment Advertisement

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has unique signs and symptoms. Adjustment

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 With disturbance of conduct. Symptoms
mainly involve behavioral problems, such as
fighting or reckless driving. Youths may skip
school or vandalize property.
With mixed disturbance of emotions and
conduct. Symptoms include a mix of
depression and anxiety as well as behavioral
problems.
Unspecified. Symptoms don't fit the other
types of adjustment disorders, but often include
physical problems, problems with family or
friends, or work or school problems.

Length of symptoms
How long you have signs and symptoms of an
adjustment disorder also can vary. Adjustment
disorders can be:

Acute. Signs and symptoms last six months or

less. They should ease once the stressor is
removed.
Persistent (chronic). Signs and symptoms last
more than six months. They continue to bother
you and disrupt your life.

Treatment
Many people with adjustment disorders find
treatment helpful, and they often need only brief
treatment. Others, including those with persistent
adjustment disorders or ongoing stressors, may
benefit from longer treatment. Treatments for
adjustment disorders include psychotherapy,
medications or both.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is the
main treatment for adjustment disorders. This can
be provided as individual, group or family therapy.
Therapy can:

Provide emotional support

Help you get back to your normal routine
Help you learn why the stressful event affected
you so much
Help you learn stress-management and coping
skills to deal with stressful events

Medications
Medications such as antidepressants and anti-
anxiety drugs may be added to help with
symptoms of depression and anxiety.

As with therapy, you may need medications only

for a few months, but don't stop taking any
medication without talking with your doctor first. If
stopped suddenly, some medications, such as
certain antidepressants, may cause withdrawal-like
symptoms.
 Request an Appointment at Mayo
Clinic

Lifestyle and home remedies

Here are some steps you can take to care for your
emotional well-being.

Tips to improve resilience

Resilience is the ability to adapt well to stress,

adversity, trauma or tragedy — basically, the ability
to bounce back after experiencing a difficult event.
Building resilience may vary from person to
person, but consider these strategies:

Stay connected with healthy social supports,

such as positive friends and loved ones.
Do something that gives you a sense of
accomplishment, enjoyment and purpose every
day.
Live a healthy lifestyle that includes good
sleep, a healthy diet and regular physical
activity.
Learn from past experiences about how you
can improve your coping skills.
Remain hopeful about the future and strive for
a positive attitude.
Recognize and develop your personal
strengths.
 Face your fears and accept challenges.
Make a plan to address problems when they
occur, rather than avoid them.

Find support

It may help you to talk things over with caring

family and friends, receive support from a faith
community, or find a support group geared toward
your situation.

Talk to your child about stressful events

If your child is having difficulty adjusting, try gently

encouraging your child to talk about what he or
she is going through. Many parents assume that
talking about a difficult change, such as divorce,
will make a child feel worse. But your child needs
the opportunity to express feelings of grief and to
hear your reassurance that you'll remain a
constant source of love and support.

Preparing for your appointment

Whether you start by seeing your primary care
doctor or a mental health professional for
evaluation and treatment, here's some guidance to
help you prepare for your appointment, and what
to expect from your doctor.

If possible, you may want to take notes during the

visit or bring along a family member or friend to
help you remember information.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

Any symptoms you've been experiencing,

and for how long.
Key personal information, including any
major stresses or recent life changes, both
positive and negative.
Medical information, including other physical
or mental health conditions with which you've
been diagnosed. Include any medications,
vitamins, herbs or other supplements you're
taking, and the dosages.
Questions to ask your doctor to make the
most of your time together.

Some questions to ask your doctor may include:

What do you think is causing my symptoms?

Are there any other possible causes?
Is my condition likely temporary or long term?
Do you recommend treatment? If yes, with
what approach?
How soon do you expect my symptoms to
improve?
Should I see a mental health specialist?
Do you recommend any temporary changes at
home, work or school to help me recover?
 Are there any brochures or other printed
material that I can have?
What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your

appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will likely ask you a number of
questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve
time to go over any points you want to focus on.
Your doctor may ask:

What are your symptoms?

When did you or your loved ones first notice
your symptoms?
What major changes have recently occurred in
your life, both positive and negative?
How have you tried to cope with these
changes?
How often do you feel sad or depressed?
Do you have thoughts of suicide?
How often do you feel anxious or worried?
Are you having trouble sleeping?
Do you have difficulty finishing tasks at home,
work or school that previously felt manageable
to you?
Are you avoiding social or family events?
 Have you been having any problems at school
or work?
Have you made any impulsive decisions or
engaged in reckless behavior that doesn't
seem like you?
Do you drink alcohol or use recreational drugs?
How often?
Have you been treated for other mental health
disorders in the past? If yes, what type of
therapy was most helpful?

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Request an Appointment at Mayo

Clinic

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Share on: Facebook Twitter Print Oct. 25, 2017

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