>>97736386**Adjustment Disorder** is a mental health condition that occurs when an individual has difficulty coping with or adjusting to a stressful life event, such as a breakup, job loss, illness, or major life transition. It is characterized by excessive emotional or behavioral reactions that are out of proportion to the stressor.
### **Key Features of Adjustment Disorder:**
- Symptoms develop **within 3 months** of the stressor.
- Emotional and behavioral symptoms include:
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Social withdrawal
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Symptoms cause **significant distress** or impact daily functioning.
- Symptoms do **not** persist for more than **6 months** after the stressor has resolved.
### **Types of Adjustment Disorder:**
1. **With Depressed Mood** – Symptoms resemble mild depression, such as sadness and hopelessness.
2. **With Anxiety** – Symptoms include excessive worry, nervousness, or feeling overwhelmed.
3. **With Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood** – Combination of depressive and anxious symptoms.
4. **With Disturbance of Conduct** – Behavioral issues like aggression, defiance, or reckless behavior.
5. **With Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct** – Both emotional symptoms (anxiety, depression) and behavioral issues.
6. **Unspecified** – Symptoms don’t fit into a specific category but still cause distress.
### **Diagnosis & Treatment:**
- Diagnosed based on **DSM-5 criteria**.
- **Treatment options include:**
- **Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy):** Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals develop coping skills.
- **Medication:** In some cases, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be used if symptoms are severe.
- **Lifestyle Changes:** Exercise, social support, and stress management techniques (e.g., mindfulness, relaxation exercises).
### **How is it Different from Other Disorders?**
- Unlike **major depressive disorder**, symptoms are **directly tied to a specific stressor**.
- Unlike **post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)**, the triggering event is not necessarily life-threatening.
- Symptoms resolve within a specific **timeframe (usually ≤6 months after the stressor ends)**.
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