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Adjustment disorder is a reaction to stress and can persist for more than a few months after the stressful event.
Most people struggle to cope with stress and change at times, but an adjustment disorder refers to significant distress that persists for more than a few months after the stressful event. This reaction to stress can interfere with everyday tasks such as studying and working, with the enjoyment of life in general.
The main symptoms of an adjustment disorder in children and youths could be emotional or behavioural, or a combination of both, and include:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worry, nervousness, fear, irritability or anger
- Unexplained body aches and pains, insufficient sleep or poor appetite
- Clinginess to major attachment figures (fear of separation)
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Problems at school or with schoolwork
- Truancy, fighting or other acting out or reckless behaviours
- Self-harming behaviours
- Thoughts of or attempts at suicide
While they can resemble and be just as distressing or disruptive as symptoms of depression, anxiety or a behavioural disorder, the symptoms of an adjustment disorder are generally not as severe.
