Normal stress vs. adjustment disorder: What's the difference?
What is the difference between normal stress and adjustment disorder?
- No name / No state given
Answer
There are many definitions of stress. A good way to think about stress is that it is a feeling that may occur in response to positive or negative situations in which your body's natural response — biological and psychological — is to be in a heightened state of readiness, allowing you to perform well under pressure.
People can experience stress in different degrees, from mild to severe. "Just enough" stress can be a good thing and indeed critical to survival. However, when this stress response fails to switch off and reset itself after a challenging situation has passed, or if it worsens to the point of distraction, it can lead to more significant psychological problems and even worsen some medical conditions. That is the point at which an adjustment disorder or more severe problems can develop.
An adjustment disorder is a severe emotional reaction to a stressful event that has occurred in your life — such as the death of a loved one or being diagnosed with a disease. It is a type of stress-related mental illness that can affect your feelings, thoughts and behaviors.
Adjustment disorders are characterized by:
- Having emotional or behavioral symptoms within three months of a specific stressor occurring in your life
- Having serious symptoms involving severe distress or an inability to function well in your daily life
People may experience depressed mood, anxiety, disruptive behavior or other problems. Generally, there is an improvement within six months of the stressful event coming to an end. Taking good care of your emotional needs, talking to a trusted friend or family member, and avoiding isolation are important in recovery.
If symptoms persist, it may be helpful to talk to your doctor about what treatment options may be right for you.
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