Adjustment Problems

Adjustment problems can develop at any time in your life when you face something new or are adapting to situations as they change.  Most of the time adjustment problems, while uncomfortable, are ultimately dealt with and do not need professional help to resolve them.  However, sometimes your adjustment problems can cause you such discomfort that contacting a therapist or mental health provider proves invaluable.

When a psychologist or other mental health provider talks about adjustment problems they are usually referring to a problem that causes enough stress and other emotional problems to be classified as an "Adjustment Disorder". Adjustment disorders are caused by specific sources of stress, such as a new marriage or love relationship, birth of a child, a separation or divorce, death of loved one, physical or emotional attack/abuse, loss of a job or recent job changes, financial crises, or some other negative event such as a destructive act of nature, experiencing or witnessing a violent attack or accident, and being diagnosed with a serious medical condition.  In adolescents, common stressors include school problems, peer issues, family or parents' marital problems, dating concerns, or sexuality issues.

In most situations, after a stressful event, your standard methods of coping help you adjust.  But if you have experienced a particularly stressful event, your typical adjustment methods may not be enough to handle the emotional fall-out from the situation and you may experience depression, fear, anger, and anxiety or begin to act in uncharacteristic and unhealthy ways. You may also begin to suffer from physical problems and illnesses. 

Adjustment disorders can occur at any age and no two people develop the identical symptoms in response to an adjustment disorder.  While the specific signs and symptoms of an adjustment disorder vary from one person to the next, typically you will have some of the following symptoms:

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Depression

• Impaired work or social functioning

• Disrupted sleep patterns

• Trembling or twitching or a general feeling of agitation

• Physical complaints such as general aches and pains, stomach pain, headache, or chest pain

• Heart palpitations or difficulty getting enough air

• Behavioral acting out in unhealthy and uncharacteristic ways including addictive behavior

• Withdrawal from social situations, friends or loved ones

• Anxiety, tension, stress, and irritability

• Nervousness, worry, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, or feeling overwhelmed

• Failure to take pleasure in things you used to enjoy

• Anger, strong feelings of injustice, and thoughts of revenge

• Obsessive thoughts about the negative event

If you begin to have symptoms like those above within 3 months of a stressful event, you may have an adjustment problem for which you need to seek professional help.

In working with clients with adjustment problems, I have found that the primary goals of treatment are to relieve your symptoms and to help you attain a level of adjustment that is consistent with your level of functioning before the stressful event occurred. 

Treatment approaches include traditional psychotherapy, behavior therapy, reality therapy and cognitive therapy. Typically, realistic short-term goals are made at the start of therapy and your coping and problem solving skills are examined and then modified or strengthened.  Relaxation techniques might be explored to help you deal with feelings of stress.  Treatment is usually short-term in nature. Typically, my clients with adjustment problems do not use medication but, if medication is advised, it is usually combined with the types of treatment described above. 

For more information about adjustment problems and an adjustment disorder, please click on the linked websites listed below.

"If you really want help dealing with your feelings and emotions, changing your behavior, and improving your life, I will be happy to help you.  I am available almost any time and any place.  You can call me directly and there is no cost or obligation for the initial telephone consultation.  Or you can reach me by email.  I look forward to the possibility of helping you to improve your life."   Dr. Vince Berger