Adjustment Disorders

What is an Adjustment Disorder?

Adjustment disorders are psychiatric conditions that can occur in response to an identifiable stressor. Adjustment disorders may manifest with emotional and/or behavioral symptoms that cause an individual significant distress. It’s important to note, that the emotional disturbance and/or lack of function, must be out-of-proportion to what one would expect, given the same trigger. The symptoms of an Adjustment Disorder often start to interfere with one’s social and occupational (work) functioning, and may affect one’s relationships and ability to care for themself. 

• Adjustment Disorders are Psychiatric Conditions
• Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms must occur within 3 months of a specific identifiable stressor.
• Distress and duration of symptoms must be out-of-proportion to what one would expect, given the trigger.

How Common are Adjustment Disorders?

Approximately 10-15% of individuals seeking outpatient mental health treatment in the US are diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder.

Are There Different Types of Adjustment Disorders?

Adjustment Disorders are characterized by the types of symptoms that an individual with the condition is suffering with.

• Adjustment Disorder w/ Depressed Mood
• Adjustment Disorder w/ Anxiety
• Adjustment Disorder w/ Both Anxiety and Depressed Mood
• Adjustment disorder with Disturbances of Conduct
• Adjustment Disorder, unspecified.

Additionally, your psychiatrist or other mental health provider may specify whether the Adjustment Disorder is Acute (within 6 months of the stressor) or Chronic (symptoms persisting longer than 6 months).

When Should I get Help for an Adjustment Disorder?

We recommend that individuals schedule a psychiatric evaluation if they experience:

• Changes in sleep
• Loss of interest in the activities that they typically enjoy
• Feelings of guilt
• Changes in energy level
• Changes in ability to focus
• Changes in appetite or fluctuations in weight
• Increased agitation, irritability and/or anger
• If performing routine or necessary tasks become challenging (living life on “hard mode”).
• Feelings of hopelessness
• High levels of anxiety or stress
• Crying episodes
• Difficulty being present with friends or loved ones
• If one is utilizing poor coping mechanisms (alcohol or substance use, gambling, sexually acting out, self-harm) to manage distress
• Suicidal thoughts

What Types of Treatment are Available for Adjustment Disorders?

Treatment for an adjustment disorder should be tailored to the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment in psychiatry. Your treatment may include:

• Talk Therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Supportive Psychotherapy, Mindful Meditation and/or relaxation techniques, EMDR (often utilized to heal from trauma) and other forms of psychotherapy for adjustment disorders.
• Medication Management. Medication management may be part of your adjustment disorder treatment. Specific medication utilized for an individual’s adjustment disorder would be tailored to that individual’s symptoms and psychiatric history.
• Behavioral modification: Recommendations regarding sleep hygiene, exercise, diet, social outlets and others, may be part of a patient’s treatment.

Do you Offer In-office & Virtual Online Appointments?

Yes, we offer both in-office and virtual online psychiatric appointments for the treatment of adjustment disorders.

Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for my Adjustment Disorder Treatment?

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are academically oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at academic institutions. Our providers are Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and we have several licensed and doctoral level therapists and psychologists. We are experienced in working with individuals who struggle with various psychiatric conditions, including Adjustment Disorders.

• Licensed Therapists and Doctoral Level Psychologists
• Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Academically Oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at local Academic Institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital & The University of Pennsylvania.
• Appointments generally available within 2 weeks.
• In-office and online Virtual Appointments for the treatment of Adjustment Disorders.
• Providers experienced in treating co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
• Providers who are welcoming to all individuals.