Adjustment Disorder

Life changes—work, family, parents, children—each can cause a great deal of stress in life. An adjustment disorder means you have trouble dealing with change and stress. This problem can have serious results. You may feel helpless or depressed. Or you may make bad decisions. You may even feel like you want to hurt yourself.

Adjustment disorder can cause anxiety or depression. It's triggered by stresses such as:

• Death of a loved one

• Divorce

• Marriage

• General life changes such as changing or leaving a job

• Moving

• Illness or another health issue for you or a family member

• Sex

• Money

Symptoms may include:

• Sadness or crying

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Poor concentration

• Trouble doing simple things

• New problems at work or with family or friends

• Loss of self-esteem

• Sense of hopelessness

• Feeling trapped or cut off from others

With this condition, it's common to feel sad, guilty, hopeless, and restless. These feelings may continue for weeks or months. It can be helpful to identify what's causing the additional stress. Then take steps to get extra support. If new stressful events don't happen, it's likely that you will gradually start feeling better.