Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

By We Level Up FL Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: April 26, 2023

Anxiety Statistics

It’s critical to understand the distinction between anxiety and depression. Anxiety, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worry, whereas depression, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness. It is conceivable for someone to experience depression and anxiety simultaneously.

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Adjustment Disorder Symptoms (Symptoms Of Adjustment Disorder)

How are Symptoms Similar to Anxiety? Adjustment Disorder With Anxious Mood

Adjustment Anxiety Disorder: Anxiety sufferers may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). While GAD symptoms resemble those of adjustment disorder, they are more persistent and frequently not brought on by a single, distinguishable event.

Some signs and symptoms are shared by adjustment disorder and anxiety. These signs of anxiousness are frequently present:

• Feeling hopeless or sad.
• A change in sleeping patterns.
• Feeling worried, nervous, or jittery.

Adjustment Disorder Timeline

Within three months of a stressful incident, symptoms of an adjustment disorder begin, and they endure for no more than six months. However, chronic or persistent adjustment issues can last longer than six months, mainly if the stressor is recurring, like unemployment.

Types Of Adjustment Disorders

Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety And Depression (Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood)

Adjustment Disorder With Depression: Some symptoms of adjustment syndrome/stress response syndrome are also present in major depressive disorder. Contrary to major depression, an adjustment disorder does not exhibit a high degree of severity (such as suicidal thoughts or actions) or many of the physiological and psychological symptoms of clinical depression (such as changed sleep, eating, and energy levels).

Adjustment Disorder Depressed Mood: According to research conducted over 50 years, psychiatrists define depression as difficulties controlling one’s emotions. Adjustment disorder and depression look similar, yet their causes and symptom durations differ.

Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Anxiety And Depressed Mood: Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety And Depressed Mood

Adjustment Disorder Vs Depression: Adjustment disorder is typically caused by a specific change in circumstances and lasts up to 6 months. Environmental, psychological, or hereditary reasons can bring on long-lasting depression.

Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood And Anxiety: If someone is depressed, recommendations suggest getting medical and psychological assistance.

Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Emotional Features: Due to the possibility that the symptoms are comparable to depression but do not stay as long, experts occasionally refer to adjustment disorder as situational depression.

Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Disturbance Of Emotions And Conduct (Adjustment Disorder With Disturbance Of Conduct)

A person with adjustment disorder who also has mixed emotional and behavioral disturbances may exhibit various depression, anxiety, or behavioral disruption symptoms of adjustment disorder.

Adjustment Disorder Unspecified (Unspecified Adjustment Disorder)

A person with an adjustment disorder unspecified has a significant reaction to a stressor, but it does not fall under one of the other categories mentioned above.

Adjustment Disorder Vs PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder differs from adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD typically remain longer than those of adjustment disorders or stress response syndromes because it is a reaction to a potentially fatal event that occurs at least one month after the event. In contrast, adjustment disorders and stress response syndromes rarely survive more than six months.

Adjustment Disorder VA Rating (Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety Va Rating)

The classification of adjustment disorder as a psychological disorder ranges from 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100%. Here are the monthly disability compensation rates as of December 2019: Disability grade of 10%: monthly income of $142.29. At 30% disability, the monthly rate is $435.69.

Adjustment Disorder Diagnosis

They will search for further mental diseases, including major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or anxiety disorder. Based on the following criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), your doctor will determine that you have AD/SRS:

• Three months or less after a stressful event in your life, a change in your emotional or behavioral symptoms.
• Showing signs of distress in response to what happened that are more severe than would be ordinary.
• Enduring serious issues in your personal life, at job, or in school.
• Unrelated symptoms to another illness or mental health condition.

Adjustment Disorder Treatment: Adjustment Disorder Treatment Plan

Treatment Plan For Adjustment Disorder: You must get medical attention if you experience AD/SRS symptoms. In persons at risk for mood disorders, adjustment disorder can occasionally develop into major depressive episodes. You might become addicted to alcohol or drugs if you use them to cope with stress and anxiety.

Treatment for AD/SRS could consist of the following:

• Psychotherapy or talk therapy.
• Medications, including antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.
• Support groups.

You can also take steps to build your resilience and feel better. Try these tips:

• Connect with friends and family.
• Find activities that give you purpose.
• Eat right and exercise.
• Sleep well.
• Work on your coping skills.
• Have a positive attitude.
• Recognize and build your strengths.
• Face your fears.
• Work on problem-solving.

Adjustment Disorder Medication

The use of medicines helps some persons with adjustment issues. Some symptoms of adjustment disorders, including sleeplessness, sadness, and anxiety, are treated with medications. These medicines consist of:

• Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax).
• Nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics, such as gabapentin (Neurontin).
• SSRIs or SNRIs, such as sertraline (Zoloft) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR).

Adjustment Disorder Treatment Plan PDF

We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

Accepting that you may be living with a mental illness can be challenging. However, treating the presenting substance abuse case can be magnitudes easier once properly diagnosed and treated. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety FAQs

Powerful Coping Skills for Anxiety. Top Mental Health Tips & Anxiety Tips Advice from a Therapist Video

4 Mental Health Tips & Advice From A Therapist To Remove Your Everyday Anxiety

“Anxiety, when gone untreated, can increase over time.

So here are four tips to calm your everyday anxiety.

Take a breath.

Do something that you enjoy.

Remove yourself from the situation and go for a walk.

Doing these four things gives you a better chance of calming your everyday anxiety.”