Adaptation disorders can occur in every person - they are caused by situations that we encounter every day, such as, for example, losing a job or parting with a partner. They can be different: in some people anxiety and depressive symptoms dominate, in others behavior disorders are the most pronounced. Read the subtypes of adaptive disorders, their causes and symptoms, and learn what to do if they occur, i.e. how to treat adaptive disorders.

Adaptation disordersin the medical classification of ICD-10 appear in one group along with the problem of acute stress response. Although both individuals differ in significant differences, they have one common denominator, which are stressful situations.

Contents:

  1. Adaptation disorders: causes
  2. Adaptation disorders: symptoms
  3. Adaptation disorder: treatment

Adaptation disorders can occur in any person - they appear in children, young adults and the elderly. Due to the fact that many of them are not recognized at all (for example, because many patients with this problem do not visit any doctor), there are no precise statistics on the incidence of adaptation disorders.

Adaptation disorders: causes

The causes of adaptation disorders are many different situations that lead to experiencing significant stress. It should be emphasized here, however, that these are such events that can take place in the life of every human being (and not, for example, major natural disasters). It is sometimes mentioned that these are events that do not exceed the so-called ordinary human experience.

More specifically, adaptation disorders occur when a person comes into contact with events that are difficult for him, which his psyche is simply not able to cope with. Examples of the many possible causes of adaptive disorders include :

  • job loss;
  • death of a loved one;
  • parting with your partner;
  • financial problems;
  • falling ill with a severe (especially chronic) disease;
  • need to move (bothto another country and to another city);
  • loss of parents;
  • trip, which will result in a long separation from close people;
  • retirement.

Interestingly, adjustment disorders can also develop in connection with events that are generally perceived as typically positive. We are talking about getting pregnant, getting married or having a baby.

It's not hard to believe that all of the above-mentioned events can have a significant impact on the human psyche. However, under correct conditions - even if retirement or moving is accompanied by strong emotions - the mental state stabilizes in a fairly short time, i.e. adaptation to new conditions takes place. When such a situation does not take place, adaptation disorders may develop.

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Adaptation disorders: symptoms

People who develop adaptive disorders may manifest various types of ailments. The possible symptoms of adaptive disorders include:

  • depressed mood,
  • sleep problems (usually in the form of insomnia),
  • irritation,
  • behavioral disorders,
  • tend to get angry easily,
  • anxiety,
  • constant worrying,
  • feeling of helplessness,
  • feeling anxious.

Characteristic for adaptation disorders is that the patient with them not only experiences unpleasant ailments, but also struggles with difficulties in everyday functioning. They may concern every aspect of life, both professional and family life, and - in the case of children and adolescents - school life.

In different people, adaptation disorders can run differently - for this reason several types are mentioned. They are:

  • short depressive reaction,
  • prolonged depressive reaction,
  • mixed anxiety-depression reaction,
  • adaptation disorders mainly with disturbances of other emotions,
  • adaptive disorders mainly with behavioral disorders,
  • adaptive disorder with mixed behavioral and emotional disorders,
  • adaptation disorders with certain dominant symptoms (in their case, somatic symptoms, such as hand tremors, muscle aches or abdominal pain, appear quite often in patients).

Adaptation disorders typically develop within a monthfrom the occurrence of the stress factor and they disappear within 6 months after the exposure to this factor ceases. However, if a person struggles with heavy events all the time - e.g. someone addicted to alcohol lives in his house, which literally destroys family life - then adaptation disorders may persist for a very long time, exceeding the above-mentioned six months, time.

Worth knowing

Adaptation disorders and depression

With adaptation disorders, it is beneficial to go to a specialist - both a psychologist and a psychiatrist can be one. In fact, most instances of these problems resolve over time and on their own. On the other hand, a conversation with a psychologist can have a very beneficial effect: it can simply allow you to look at the problem from a different angle and deal with it easier.

There is another argument for going to a specialist in the case of suspicion of adaptation disorders - it is necessary to differentiate them with many different entities, especially depression. Some of the symptoms are common to adaptive and depressive disorders - we are talking here, for example, about low mood or sleep problems.

Symptoms of adaptive disorders, however, are less intense and their occurrence is clearly preceded by the experience of a stressful situation, and in the case of depression, it is not necessary to recognize that the patient was struggling with a difficult event before becoming ill. Depressive disorders are a serious problem that requires treatment, therefore it would always be best to exclude it because they are responsible for the patient's ailments.

Adaptation disorder: treatment

It was mentioned above that depressive disorders can be treated - but how? Well, first of all, psychotherapeutic interactions are used here - cognitive-behavioral therapy and family therapy can help. Sometimes it is a great relief for the patient to just talk (or several) with the psychologist.

In a situation where the patient feels that he is unable to cope with the experienced events, it is possible to use the help of a crisis intervention center. In the case of a high intensity of symptoms of adaptation disorders, it is possible to apply pharmacological treatment. In this case, antidepressants (e.g. serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can be used. In the event that the patient's predominant problem is severe anxiety attacks, he may be advised to use short-term anti-anxiety agents, e.g.benzodiazepines.

Adaptation disorders in children and adolescents

Adaptation disorders may appear in a person of any age, however, depending on the age of the patient, they may proceed in different ways. Adaptation disorders in children and adolescents are usually manifested by behavioral disorders - the child experiences frequent outbursts of anger and even aggression, and may also display various violent behaviors.

In the youngest age group, it is also characteristic that in them, adaptation disorders may lead to a regression in which, for example, a few-year-olds start sucking their thumb again, talking as a child or having episodes of bedwetting.

The causes of adaptation disorders in children and adolescents are also slightly different than in adults. In their case, the problem is caused by e.g. parents' divorce or a situation where the child's guardians often argue with each other at home.

Quite often, the occurrence of adaptation disorders in children is related to the fact that the child starts going to kindergarten or school. For a child, starting education can be a source of incredible stress - after all, he begins to face requirements as to achieving certain educational results, but he must also meet the challenge of functioning among peers.

For some children it is easier to adapt to school life, for others it is more difficult - for this reason, a toddler who begins to take his first educational steps must be carefully monitored and if you suspect that he may have adaptation disorders, you must provide him with the necessary help.

Worth knowing

Adaptation disorders: can they be prevented?

Completely adaptive disorders cannot be prevented - some more often, others less, but each of us faces difficult situations in our lives. To avoid severe stress upsetting your nerves for a long time, you just have to deal with it. It is worth developing your own ways to relieve tension - these can be both fishing, cycling, and walking while listening to music. It is also advantageous to have a group of trusted, dedicated people to whom you can tell about your problems if necessary. An ordinary conversation can really have a therapeutic effect - just sharing your concerns with someone can make us feel better, and knowing that we have someone to count on can weaken the effects of experiencing stressful events and reduce the risk of adaptation disorders.

Sources:

"Psychiatria", scientific editor M. Jarem,J. Rabe-Jabłońska, pub. PZWL, Warsaw 2011

"Psychiatry. A textbook for students", B. K. Puri, I. H. Treasaden, eds. I Polish J. Rybakowski, F. Rybakowski, Elsevier Urban & Partner, Wrocław 2014

About the authorBow. Tomasz NęckiA graduate of the medical faculty at the Medical University of Poznań. An admirer of the Polish sea (most willingly strolling along its shores with headphones in his ears), cats and books. In working with patients, he focuses on always listening to them and spending as much time as they need.

Category:

Psychiatry