Adjustment disorders

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

When you face a stressful event or major life change, you can take some steps to care for your emotional well-being. Do what works for you. Some examples include:

  • Talking things over with caring family and friends
  • Trying to keep eating a healthy diet
  • Sticking to a regular sleep routine
  • Getting regular physical activity
  • Engaging in a hobby you enjoy
  • Finding a support group geared toward your situation
  • Finding support from a faith community

If it's your child who's having difficulty adjusting, you can help by:

  • Offering encouragement to talk about his or her feelings
  • Offering support and understanding
  • Reassuring your child that such reactions are common
  • Touching base with your child's teacher to check on progress or problems at school
  • Letting your child make simple decisions, such as what to eat for dinner or which movie to watch

If you use these kinds of self-care steps but they don't seem to be helping, be sure to talk to your health care provider.

References
  1. Adjustment disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  2. Strain JJ, et al. Adjustment disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  3. Adjustment disorders. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/adjustment/Patient/page4. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  4. Adjustment disorders. In: Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  5. Ahmed SM, et al. Psychosocial influences on health. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/1209963843/0/1481/1.html?tocnode=53391787&fromURL=1.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  6. Clarkin JF, et al. The role of psychiatric measures in assessment and treatment. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  7. Bray JH, et al. The family's influence on health. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/120920914-7/0/1481/25.html?tocnode=53391850&fromURL=25.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50005-1--cesec2_64. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.

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March 20, 2009

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