Sleep problems and fatigue are common as well. Symptoms must appear within three months of a specific stressful event. But symptoms cannot last for more than six months. If a child experiences ongoing symptoms after six months, the situation would qualify for the diagnosis of a different disorder, such as diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder or major depression.
It is possible for children to experience a comorbid condition. For example, a child who has previously been diagnosed with ADHD or oppositional defiant disorder may also experience an adjustment disorder after a stressful event. Even though an adjustment disorder is brief, it can still be extremely serious. Adolescents who are experiencing high degrees of distress are at a higher risk for suicide. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Studies show girls with adjustment disorders show higher suicidal tendencies than boys with the same diagnosis. If your child expresses thoughts about wanting to die or she makes any attempt to harm herself, take the situation seriously.
Never assume your child is merely being dramatic or trying to get attention. Contact your child's pediatrician or a mental health professional if your child expresses thoughts of suicide.
If the situation is an emergency, call for first-responders or go to your local emergency room. A physician or mental health professional can diagnose an adjustment disorder. As part of a comprehensive assessment, the parents and the child are usually interviewed. If the child meets the criteria and other conditions are able to be ruled out, a diagnosis of adjustment disorder may be given. In some cases, a teacher, caregiver, or other service provider may be asked to provide further information.
A healthcare professional will create a customized treatment plan with specific recommendations. When necessary, a child may be referred to other specialists, like a psychiatrist.
There are no guaranteed ways to prevent adjustment disorders. But developing healthy coping skills and learning to be resilient may help you during times of high stress. If you know that a stressful situation is coming up — such as a move or retirement — call on your inner strength, increase your healthy habits and rally your social supports in advance. Remind yourself that this is usually time-limited and that you can get through it. Also consider checking in with your doctor or mental health professional to review healthy ways to manage your stress.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Adjustment disorders are stress-related conditions. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Adjustment disorders. Arlington, Va. A combination of symptoms from all of the above subtypes is present depressed mood, anxiety and conduct.
Adjustment disorder unspecified. Reactions to stressful events that do not fit in one of the above subtypes are present. Reactions may include behaviors like social withdrawal or inhibitions to normally expected activities, like school or work.
The symptoms of adjustment disorders may resemble other medical problems or psychiatric conditions. A child and adolescent psychiatrist or a qualified mental health professional usually makes the diagnosis of an adjustment disorder following a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and interview with the child or adolescent and their parents. A detailed personal history of development, life events, emotions, behaviors and the identified stressful event is obtained during the interview.
Individual psychotherapy using cognitive-behavioral approaches. Cognitive-behavioral approaches are used to improve age-appropriate problem-solving skills, communication skills, impulse control, anger management skills and stress management skills.
Family therapy. Family therapy is often focused on making needed changes within the family system, like improving communication skills and family interactions. An additional area of focus is to increase family support among family members. Peer group therapy.
Peer group therapy is often focused on developing and using social skills and interpersonal skills. Stressors also vary in how long they last, how strong they are, and what effect they have. Adjustment disorders happen at all ages and are quite common in children and teens. They happen equally in boys and girls. They happen in all cultures. But the stressors and signs may vary based on cultural influences.
Children and teens have different symptoms of an adjustment disorder than adults. Children tend to have more behavioral symptoms, such as acting out. Adults have more depressive symptoms. Age differences also affect how long symptoms last, how strong they are, and what effect they have. In all adjustment disorders, the reaction to the stressor seems to be more than what is thought to be normal. Or the reaction greatly interferes with how the child functions day to day.
There are 6 subtypes of adjustment disorder. They are based on the type of major symptoms a child may feel. These are the most common symptoms of each subtype:. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood. A child may feel depressed, tearful, and hopeless. Adjustment disorder with anxiety. Symptoms may include nervousness, worry, and jitteriness. A child may also fear losing important people in their life.
Adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.
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