About Adjustment Disorder, which can be painful if you don't know about it
This section will explain about Adjustment Disorder, a condition that Japanese celebrities are said to have and which has become well known.
Adjustment disorder is a series of symptoms, including physical symptoms, that may be caused by life events such as stress, grief or hopelessness.
Coping with these symptoms is known to be a struggle, and patients are known to struggle more than others might think.
It is thought to be caused by the stress of life events mentioned above, and no matter what the triggers are, these events can be very difficult for you.
The following stressors have been reported
・Death of a loved one
・Divorce or relationship problems
・General life changes
・Illness or other health issues for you or a loved one
・Moving to a different house or a different city
・Unexpected catastrophe
・Money worries
Stressors for teens and other young people include the following
・Family problems and conflicts
・School problems
・Sexuality issues
There is no way to predict these stressors because they do not all cause the same adjustment problems just because they have the same ones. Therefore, it is said that we need to learn how to cope with future and past stressful events.
Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of adjustment disorder are serious enough to affect work and social life.
・Exhibiting rebellious or impulsive behavior
・Nervous or tense behavior
・May cry, grieve, despair, or withdraw from others
・Skipped heartbeats and other physical ailments
・Tremors or cramps
To be diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, the following conditions have been described.
Symptoms clearly occur after the stressor, most often within three months
Symptoms are more severe than expected
No other disease appears to be involved
Symptoms are not part of the normal grief over the death of a loved one
Occasionally, symptoms are so severe that the person may contemplate or attempt suicide.
Mental health will be assessed in these conditions and in clinical trials. The treatment plan is then assisted with the goal of alleviating symptoms and returning to the same level of functioning as before the stressful event occurred.
Most mental health professionals recommend some form of talk therapy, and it is believed that these therapies can help people identify and change their responses to life stressors.
One of the most common is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help you find ways to cope with your own emotions.
As a procedure, to begin with, the therapist assists the patient in recognizing the negative feelings and thoughts that are going on, and then suggests ways to turn these into helpful thoughts and healthy behaviors.
This is just one example, but other types of therapy include the following
Long-term therapy, in which you explore your thoughts and feelings over a period of months
Family therapy, in which you and your family meet with a therapist
Self-help groups where the support of others helps you get better
Medications can be used, but only in conjunction with talk therapy. These medications can be helpful if you are
Nervous or anxious most of the time
Have trouble sleeping well
Feeling very sad or depressed
Outlook (prognosis)
With the right help and support, you should feel better soon. Problems usually do not last longer than 6 months unless the stressor is present continuously.
When to consult a medical professional If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should consult a medical professional immediately.
References
American Psychiatric Association. Trauma and stressor-related disorders. In: American Psychiatric Association, ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. 2013:265-290.
Powell AD. grief, bereavement, and adjustment disorders. in: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Elsevier. 2016: chapter 38.
