What Is Adjustment Disorder?
6. How Is It Diagnosed?
Review the common signs that a mental health professional looks for before giving a diagnosis. Typically, an individual with adjustment disorder experiences symptoms within a set time period of a stressful event. It’s rare for symptoms to only present long after a tragedy. Another disorder may be diagnosed if symptoms don’t improve within six months.
Symptoms must usually be more extreme than expected for a particular tragedy. The loss of a loved one is normally associated with sadness and other stressful feelings, so the severity is also determined based on the individual and the life event. A diagnosis can offer relief for an individual and his or her family, as this is the first step toward a treatment option. Understanding the reason for extreme or unusual behaviors and thoughts can allow an individual to begin coping in a healthy, productive way.
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