Adjustment Disorders

An adjustment disorder is a strong emotional or behavioral reaction to stress or trauma. It causes short-term symptoms that may make you react more than you typically would. You may cry easily or feel depressed and hopeless. You might overindulge in risky behaviors, or act recklessly or impulsively. The behaviors and feelings vary from person to person.

Sometimes, one event can cause adjustment disorder symptoms. Other times, multiple events can cause symptoms after pushing you to a breaking point. Symptoms usually lessen after six months.

Your healthcare provider might refer to an adjustment disorder as situational depression.