What is an Adjustment Disorder?
Written by: Sylvia Ruiz, Graduate Student Intern
Life stress can sometimes be debilitating, especially if you are dealing with moving, being fired from your job, or going through a divorce or break-up, or retirement.
Ongoing life stress and worry could cause significant distress or impairment, which could result in adjustment disorder.
Meet Richard, he has an adjustment disorder. Richard often feels hopeless, constantly feels sad and worried, and has difficulty concentrating. Richard often feels isolated and withdraws from social interactions. Richard also finds it hard to sleep and feels irritable most days.
Tips on how Richard copes with adjustment disorder.
Find Social Support
With the pandemic, it may seem hard to find social support, but you can throw Facetime or Zoom parties online to connect with others. It doesn't have to be a party, it can be more intimate one-on-one video chat conversations with a family member or friend. Richard finds when he participates in Zoom parties that his feeling of loneliness is much easier to manage. Richard also enjoys watching a movie with family and friends or going out for dinner at a restaurant patio.
We are naturally social beings, so also having engaging conversations with people you like hanging out with will be helpful.
Avoid unnecessary stress
If you're going to start a new job and change will be coming soon, don't add other things to your "to do" list, because additional responsibilities may make you even more anxious. Richard finds that putting some things on the back burner is OK when he can so that he can focus on what is most important at the moment. Taking breaks when you can from having a laundry list of things to do can be most helpful.
Start a healthy habit
Healthy means more than just nutrition in your diet. Healthy habits are also for the mind, and there's no time like the present to do something that will help you think positively. Richard keeps a journal to log his thoughts and goes to the gym to relieve some stress. Richard also enjoys jogging and taking a Taekwondo class to also reduce stress, anger, and anxiety.
Support groups
Sometimes it helps to share your frustrations and anxieties with other people who've been through the same types of situations as you are. By hearing other people's stories, you may find that you aren't as alone as you thought. Richard feels like his story has inspired others and he also made some new friends. Group therapy gives you the tools to overcome your stress and teaches you how to regulate your emotions.
Restoring Hope Counseling has multiple Therapists on staff with some who are able to take insurance, and some who are interns and provisionally licensed staff, who can provide counseling at a discounted rate. They all provide in Person or Telehealth sessions. Visit our “Meet our Team” page or contact us for further information to help you find the person who is the best fit for you.
