Anxiety-related Adjustment Disorder: Signs, remedies, and further details
Understanding Adjustment Disorder and Depression in Children and Adults
Adjustment disorder and depression, while sharing some similarities, are distinct mental health conditions that require different approaches to understanding and treatment.
Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorder, often referred to as situational depression when it presents with depressed mood, is a reaction to a stressful life event or change. Research suggests that it can manifest in children as "naughty" behavior, particularly when they struggle with change. This condition is more common than previously thought, affecting approximately 6.9% of adults in the United States annually.
The symptoms of adjustment disorder can include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, fatigue, muscle twitching, insomnia, frequent crying, loss of appetite, and even suicidal ideation. In children, these symptoms may present as stomach ache, headache, behaving differently at school or home, perceived "naughty" behavior, and wetting the bed.
Common triggers of adjustment disorder in children include moving schools, moving house, a parent or close relative experiencing a health condition, divorce or change in home circumstances, the death of a pet, and being bullied at school.
Adjustment disorder symptoms tend to be shorter-term, usually resolving once the stressor ends and stress is managed. However, if they persist for up to 6 months, it may evolve into clinical depression.
Depression
Depression, on the other hand, is a more persistent and severe mood disorder. Unlike adjustment disorder, it can be due to environmental, psychological, or genetic factors. It is characterized by difficulty in regulating emotion and is distinguished from adjustment disorder by its duration and cause.
Common symptoms of depression include depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in sleep, appetite, cognition, suicidal ideation, and other physical symptoms. Depression tends to last at least 2 weeks, often much longer, and can be episodic or chronic.
Distinguishing Between Adjustment Disorder and Depression
| Aspect | Adjustment Disorder (Situational Depression) | Major Depressive Disorder (Depression) | |--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Cause/Trigger | Triggered by a specific stressful life event or change | Not necessarily triggered by any specific event | | Onset Timing | Symptoms begin within 3 months after the stressor | Can occur spontaneously or after stress, but not limited to a time frame | | Duration | Shorter-term reaction; mood improves days or weeks after the stressor ends | Lasts at least 2 weeks, often much longer | | Severity | Generally less severe symptoms | More severe mood disturbance | | Symptoms | Depressed mood, sadness, anxiety, stress reaction; symptoms correspond closely to life event | Depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in sleep, appetite, cognition, suicidal ideation, plus other physical symptoms | | Biological Basis | Primarily psychological stress response | Multifactorial etiology including biological (e.g., serotonin, dopamine imbalance) and psychological factors | | Course and Treatment | Symptoms often remit with resolution of stressor or psychotherapy; medication less commonly needed | Often requires a combination of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy (e.g., SSRIs), and lifestyle changes; may be chronic or recurrent |
Treatment Options
Treatment options for adjustment disorder with anxiety include psychotherapy, medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety prescribed drugs, exercise, reflecting on moments when a person feels strong and threading it into routine, and discussing feelings with a trusted family member or friend.
If a child is experiencing anxiety disorder symptoms that persist, it's important to consult with a doctor, as they may have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or depression. Similarly, if an individual is showing suicidal symptoms, they should speak with a doctor or consult with appropriate support. If someone is worried someone is at immediate suicidal risk, they should ring the national emergency services and not leave the person alone if possible.
In conclusion, adjustment disorder is a reactive, time-limited mood disturbance tied to identifiable stressors, usually resolving once the stressor ends and stress is managed. Depression, on the other hand, is a more persistent, severe mood disorder with a complex etiology, greater functional impairment, and a need for comprehensive treatment.
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