What we treat
Emotional or behavioural challenges faced whilst trying to cope with changes, transitions, or new circumstances in your life.
Adjustment disorders are pretty common and can happen in all kinds of situations. Whether you’re in the hospital or just going through your day-to-day, they usually come up when your reaction to a big change or stress is stronger than expected and affects your daily routine.
After getting caught up in a stressful situation, you might start feeling not yourself a few days after, which may last for up to six months or more.
There are three main symptoms:
Feeling down and depressed
Being anxious
Changes in other behaviour and acting differently from normal
It's totally normal to feel down or anxious or notice changes in your behaviour, like pushing away from people close to you or acting out of character. Sometimes, one symptom might stand out more than others, like feeling extra anxious or unusually irritable.
Diagnosing adjustment disorders is a bit trickier than some other mental health conditions, and it's a common diagnosis in both hospitals and outpatient settings. Additionally, your coping skills, support system, and past experiences play a role in how you handle stress. If you struggle with managing stress or lack a strong support network, you might find it harder to adapt to changes. However, understanding these causes can help you identify the underlying issues and seek appropriate support if need be.
Diagnosis is done by looking at criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). According to these criteria, you must show emotional or behavioural symptoms within three months of a stressful event. These symptoms should cause significant distress that doesn't match the stressor's size and will affect how you function in daily life.
It's essential to distinguish adjustment disorders from other conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or acute stress disorder (ASD), which have different timeframes and specific descriptions of stressors and reactions. If you have adjustment disorders, this can often also come with other conditions too, so medical professionals will consider all relevant diagnoses for a complete picture.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of adjustment disorder, finding a mental health professional to help you is the first step towards help and recovery.
If you catch yourself struggling to cope with a major life change or stress, you may be experiencing adjustment disorder. Common events include getting a divorce, having a baby, or losing someone close to you. You may find these new feelings very overwhelming, as they force us to adapt to a whole new situation, environment, role, routine, and the like. The process is downright stressful especially if the changes are rapid or unexpected, leaving you clueless on how to resolve it.
Even positive changes, like moving to a big, bustling city or starting a new job, can be overwhelming. It’s normal to feel off balance or not like yourself when these big changes hit. The stressful events causing adjustment disorders can be a single and overwhelming event, a series of problems, a seemingly normal life change, or protracted and ongoing issues.
Stressors that turn your life upside down can cause adjustment difficulties. These could include relationship breakups, family conflicts, burnout, job loss, or academic pressures. Discovering health problems or fighting an ongoing illness can also cause considerable emotional strain. Even hitting major milestones, like graduating or turning a certain age, can sometimes bring unexpected stress. Some of the more common triggers are:
A relationship break up or conflict
Problems at work or school - including job loss or burnout
Diagnosis of a disability or illness
Natural or inflicted disasters
Life transition e.g. reaching a specific age milestone, moving to a new home, retirement
Losing someone close to you (please also visit grief and bereavement, if you feel that you need help in your journey with grief)
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms in response to a stressful change, it may be beneficial to seek support to work through the impact it's having on you. Current research shows that online psychology and virtual sessions can be just as effective in managing symptoms and can help prevent the further development of symptoms.
Our Someone.health psychologists are highly experienced in providing support that is individualised to your unique situation and preference. The treatment for adjustment disorder typically involves a combination of supportive measures, psychotherapy, and, in some cases, medication (Call to Mind can assist for online psychiatry services).
Here are some common approaches:
Various forms of therapy:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be beneficial. These therapies help individuals explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, providing coping strategies and tools to navigate stressors.
Supportive therapy: Sometimes, simply having a supportive and empathetic space to discuss challenges can be therapeutic.
Coping Strategies:
Stress management techniques: Learning and practicing stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises, can help individuals cope with overwhelming emotions.
Problem-solving skills: Developing problem-solving skills can empower individuals to address the specific stressors contributing to adjustment disorders.
Addressing underlying issues:
Identifying and resolving stressors: Working with a mental health professional to identify and address the underlying stressors contributing to the adjustment disorder is crucial. This may involve making changes in one's environment, relationships, or lifestyle.
It's important to note that the choice of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, the specific challenges faced by the individual, and their preferences. Seeking professional help is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and the development of a tailored treatment plan.
Psychologists available online
Tell us what matters to you, compare suitable appointments and keep your care details in your patient profile.
Find an appointmentIt will not always be obvious and it could be gradual. But when you start feeling better, then that means that the therapy is working.
You'll also be able to see things more clearly as you progress with your talk therapy. Healing, however, is not always so clear-cut. There will always be ups and downs. If that happens, you can talk to your psychologist about your progress and be open with what you're feeling.
Australia has regulatory bodies to ensure we maintain consistent and high standards across the psychology profession.
Yes. They are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and individually selected and monitored by Someone.health's expert clinical team.
Appointments are available immediately
Once you have signed up and we have verified your details, you can choose a psychologist who is available immediately. Our website displays in order of the first available appointment.
Only your GP or a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
Medication can only be prescribed by medical doctors, which includes general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists.
If you need the services of a psychiatrist, please visit Call To Mind, a telehealth service specialising in psychiatry.
