Post Grad Mental Health: Adjustment Disorder

By Shikole Struber

Have you recently had feelings of hopelessness? Dramatic changes in appetite? Isolation from people and social activities? No this is not a commercial for some sort of medication. I'm describing adjustment disorder. A real mental illness that many people go through after a major life event. Above are just a few of the symptoms.

Adjustment disorder sets in within three months of a major event, in this case graduating from college. Unlike other disorders, adjustment disorder usually subsides within 6 months. However, if left untreated other mental disorders may develop, including depression and substance abuse.

Symptoms to watch for:

  • Sadness

  • Frequent crying

  • Feeling tired or without energy

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Absence from work

  • Anxiety

  • Headaches or stomach-ache

  • Increase in the use of alcohol or drugs

  • Dangerous or destructive behavior


Treatment for adjustment disorder is counseling. Learning healthy coping methods helps get rid of it. Instead of chugging those three glasses of wine try a cup of tea and some chocolate. Or maybe just sip on one glass of wine, much healthier. The most important thing is to not let yourself slip into a depression. If you are having many of these symptoms and they are affecting your every day life consult a doctor. No one is alone in this.

Another mental illness that ties very closely to adjustment disorder is substance abuse, which will be a separate post.

*All information gotten from here.

0 comments:

Post a Comment