Adjustment Disorder is a stress-related condition where emotional or behavioral symptoms arise in response to a significant life change or stressor (e.g., divorce, job loss). Symptoms typically appear within three months of the stressor and usually do not last beyond six months after it ends.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: Anxiety, depressed mood, feelings of helplessness, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
- Diagnosis: Often less severe than major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, but still disruptive if untreated.
- Treatment: Psychotherapy (individual or group), stress management techniques, and sometimes short-term medication if symptoms are intense.
