Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, an affiliate of Fairview Health Services, offers comprehensive, patient-centered adjustment disorder treatment for adults age 18 and older and seniors. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, our treatment center provides care in a safe and supportive environment that is designed to help you navigate life transitions and regain emotional balance.
What Is Adjustment Disorder?
Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition characterized by emotional or behavioral symptoms that develop in response to an identifiable stressor. While other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, don’t require a definable source, adjustment disorder develops when you struggle to “adjust” to a specific change or stressor.
Adjustment disorder is classified under trauma- and stress-related disorders. Unlike other mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, which may be prolonged or lifelong conditions, adjustment disorder is generally a shorter-term reaction to a known stressor.
Typically, a stressor will be a significant life transition, such as a breakup or divorce, loss of employment, or the death of a loved one. It could even be something you’ve anticipated positively, like starting college or becoming a parent.
Everyone experiences major life changes, but when the stress from these events becomes overwhelming or interferes with your day-to-day responsibilities, it may be time to seek adjustment disorder treatment.
Signs & Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder
Timely intervention is critical to addressing the root cause of adjustment disorder and getting your life back on track. That starts with being able to recognize the symptoms that indicate that you may need adjustment disorder treatment.
Commonly recognized symptoms of adjustment disorder include:
- Low mood, which may present as sadness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Persistent worry, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating
- A combination of depressive and anxious symptoms
- Physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, or irregular heartbeat
- Behavioral changes such as aggression or withdrawal from social situations
- Sleep disturbances or appetite changes
The symptoms you may experience when you have adjustment disorder have much in common with symptoms of other mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression. For an adjustment disorder diagnosis, symptoms must emerge within three months of an inciting event. With proper adjustment disorder treatment, symptoms can resolve within six months.
Adjustment Disorder Causes & Risk Factors
Everyone experiences change, and anyone has the potential to be affected by adjustment disorder. Understanding what causes this condition can help guide effective adjustment disorder treatment.
Stressors that may lead to the development of adjustment disorder include significant life changes like:
- Job loss
- Loss of a loved one
- Relocating to a new area
- Starting school or changing educational programs
- Becoming a parent
- Retiring from work
- Going through a divorce or relationship changes
- Receiving a medical diagnosis
- Facing financial challenges
- Deploying or returning from military service
Certain risk factors may also make you more likely to develop adjustment disorder. These include:
- Co-occurring mental health disorders
- A history of trauma or abuse
- A family history of mental health concerns
- Limited social support systems
- Previous difficulty coping with stress
Getting to the root cause of adjustment disorder is crucial to alleviating your symptoms and getting your life back on track. Understanding your particular risk factors can help you build the knowledge and coping skills to handle stressors you may encounter in the future through targeted adjustment disorder treatment.
Potential Effects of Untreated Adjustment Disorder
Without appropriate adjustment disorder treatment, symptoms can make it more challenging to manage daily routines and responsibilities. The stress and emotional strain can also take a toll on your relationships and self-confidence.
Potential effects of untreated adjustment disorder include:
- Strained relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
- Fatigue or weight gain/loss due to sleep and appetite changes
- Poor work or academic performance
- Increased use of alcohol or other substances
- Progression of existing symptoms
- Development of additional mental health concerns
When you do not receive proper adjustment disorder treatment, symptoms may worsen and lead to additional mental health disorders, such as longer-lasting anxiety or depressive disorders, that can affect your overall well-being.
With appropriate care and support, you can manage symptoms of this condition effectively. At our Minnesota adjustment disorder treatment center, we can help you learn coping strategies to adapt to new situations confidently.
Adjustment Disorder Statistics
Adjustment disorder is not as prevalent as some other mental health disorders, but it is still estimated to impact 1%-2% of people, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
NLM also indicates that adjustment disorder is more prevalent among certain populations and clinical situations, highlighting the need to better understand how different stressors affect people and how personalized adjustment disorder treatment can help them manage transitions effectively.
These statistics underscore the importance of accessible adjustment disorder care for people throughout the Twin Cities who may be struggling with life transitions.
Debunking Common Myths About Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorder isn’t as widely discussed as disorders like anxiety and depression, which can make it harder to recognize and understand. Misunderstandings about what adjustment disorder is (and isn’t) can feed into stigmas and prevent you from getting the treatment you need.
Here are some of the most common myths about adjustment disorder, and the truths behind them:
Myth: Having adjustment disorder means that you can’t handle stress.
Truth: This condition doesn’t mean that you’re weak or incapable. It means that your mind and body are responding to a specific change or challenge that feels overwhelming right now. Even if you have handled stress well in the past, you can develop adjustment disorder if the situation is intense enough or the timing makes it harder to cope. With the right tools and support, you can adapt and return to feeling like yourself again.
Myth: Adjustment disorder can only happen after something traumatic.
Truth: While major trauma can trigger adjustment disorder, it doesn’t take something extreme or negative for symptoms to develop. Everyday life changes — even positive ones like moving to a new city, starting school, becoming a parent, or retiring — can disrupt your sense of balance and lead to adjustment disorder. What matters most is not how “big” the event seems on the outside but how it impacts you personally.
Myth: Adjustment disorder is temporary and will eventually resolve on its own.
Truth: Indeed, adjustment disorder is generally regarded as temporary when compared with other mental health disorders, like bipolar disorder and depression. However, left untreated, adjustment disorder can lead to more severe effects. Addressing it early through professional treatment gives you a better chance of moving forward with less distress and more confidence.
Myth: Adjustment disorder is not severe enough to seek help.
Truth: Just because adjustment disorder is often shorter-term compared with some other mental health disorders doesn’t mean that it’s a minor concern. Adjustment disorder symptoms can take a heavy toll on your mood, relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Talking with a mental health professional at our St. Paul adjustment disorder treatment center can help you process what’s happening, find ways to adapt more easily, and reduce the risk for longer-lasting struggles.
Why Seek Adjustment Disorder Treatment
Life changes are important, often stressful, times in everyone’s life. Experiencing adjustment disorder symptoms on top of a significant life event can make the moment even more intense. It’s not up to you to manage the stress alone.
Potential benefits of receiving adjustment disorder treatment include:
- Relief from persistent stress and emotional pain
- More effective coping skills for managing life transitions
- Stronger relationships with family and friends
- Restored daily functioning and physical health
- Greater resilience in navigating life’s changes
With personalized adjustment disorder treatment and support, you can move past the stressors that trigger adjustment disorder and chart a path to long-term healing. Our team of experts is here to help every step of the way.
Why Choose Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital for Adjustment Disorder Treatment
Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital is a trusted provider of high-quality mental health disorder treatment. We offer a comprehensive range of adjustment disorder treatment services to meet you wherever you are on your journey to better mental health, including inpatient treatment for adults and seniors who have adjustment disorder.
When you choose Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital for adjustment disorder treatment, you benefit from:
- A personalized treatment plan that is designed to meet your unique needs
- Therapies delivered by licensed professionals who have experience treating adjustment disorder and other stress-related concerns
- A multidisciplinary team that may include psychiatrists, master’s-level therapists, certified registered nurses and nurse practitioners, case managers, and support staff
- Discharge planning that connects you with appropriate follow-up care and community resources
- A safe healing environment where you are treated with respect
Experiencing adjustment disorder symptoms can be intense and confusing. We understand how difficult it can be to ask for help when you already feel overwhelmed, but you don’t have to handle adjustment disorder on your own. If you or a loved one is struggling with adjustment disorder, please contact Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital today. Our admissions team is available to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you determine the level of adjustment disorder treatment that’s right for you.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, an affiliate of Fairview Health Services.
