Adjustment Disorders: When Life Changes Feel Overwhelming

Life brings change—some welcomed, some difficult. Whether it's a job loss, a divorce, moving to a new city like Atlanta, or the death of a loved one, major life events can trigger stress responses that feel impossible to manage. When these reactions become excessive and interfere with daily functioning, you may be experiencing an adjustment disorder. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, Georgia, we help residents throughout Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta navigate these challenging transitions.

What Is an Adjustment Disorder?

An adjustment disorder is characterized by emotional or behavioral responses to an identifiable stressful event that are more intense than would typically be expected. Unlike everyday stress that passes with time, adjustment disorders cause significant distress that interferes with work, relationships, and daily activities.

Common triggers include:

• Relationship problems or divorce
• Job loss or career changes
• Moving to a new location
• Death of a loved one
• Health issues or diagnosis of illness
• Financial difficulties
• Major life transitions (retirement, becoming a parent)

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorders

Symptoms typically appear within three months of the stressful event and generally don't last longer than six months after the stressor ends. They may include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or not enjoying things you used to
• Crying frequently
• Feeling worried, nervous, or anxious
• Sleep and appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling easily overwhelmed
• Irritability and social withdrawal
• Changes in behavior (more common in children and adolescents)

Adjustment Disorder vs. Other Conditions

Adjustment disorders share symptoms with conditions like PTSD or major depression, but they're distinct diagnoses requiring different treatment approaches. A thorough evaluation by a qualified psychiatrist ensures you receive the correct diagnosis and appropriate care.

Key differences include:

• Duration: Adjustment disorders are typically short-term
• Trigger: There's always an identifiable stressor
• Severity: Symptoms don't meet the full criteria for PTSD or major depression

Treatment for Adjustment Disorders

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy is typically the most effective treatment for adjustment disorders. At Next Step Psychiatry, our team may recommend:

• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT): A short-term approach focusing on relationships and communication
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps reframe negative thinking patterns and develop healthy coping skills

Both approaches help you express emotions constructively and develop tools for managing future stressors.

Medication

While medication isn't always necessary for adjustment disorders, our psychiatrists may prescribe short-term medication to help with specific symptoms like insomnia, depression, or anxiety. This might include antidepressants, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety medication as needed.

When to Seek Help

If you've experienced a major life change and find that months later you're still struggling to function normally, it may be time to seek professional support. The good news? Adjustment disorders are highly treatable, and many people need only a few sessions to develop effective coping strategies.

Whether you're dealing with the stress of relocating to Gwinnett County, navigating a career change in Atlanta's competitive job market, or facing personal loss, you don't have to struggle alone.

This article is for educational purposes only. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.