Teen Adjustment Disorder
Teen Adjustment Disorder
Teen adjustment disorder is a condition that is caused mostly by stress and manifests through both psychological and physical symptoms that make daily life debilitating for a teen with this disorder.
Teen Adjustment Disorder types Defined
Teens with an adjustment disorder may display certain symptoms and signs during or after the occurrence of the stressful event. The disorder normally subsides within six months of the stressful occurrence. However, if the teen continues to experience tormenting stress as a result of the initial occurrence, there could be long-term effects.
Psychological symptoms – These symptoms include impulsive and defiant traits, as well as a highly anxious demeanor. The teen may be constantly sad, desperate looking, and often cries. Teens with this disorder are withdrawn, unfocused, with low self-esteem.
Physical symptoms– Teens with this disorder are insomniacs, always feeling tired with body pain/aches. They may experience muscle twitching, as well as digestive issues
Teen Adjustment Disorder Symptoms
There are numerous ways of identifying Teen Amphetamine Addiction based on physical and mental behavioral symptoms. Some of the basic signs and symptoms include – hallucinations and delusions, mood swings, anger, violent behavior, anxiety, depression, fatigue, paranoia, intense cravings, increased heart rate and blood pressure, lessened desire for food and weight loss, insomnia or sleeping problems, indigestion, incapability to keep up with homework, schoolwork, or home tasks, seeking or using the drug aggressively, continuously missing school, lack of care about physical appearance and looks, poor personal hygiene, suffering from severe dental problems, skin sores, stealing, easily getting confused, changes in groups of friends, difficulties with maintaining personal and intimate relationships, and less interested activities / hobbies that were previously of interest. Continuous use and abuse of amphetamines can lead to an overdose, which can in turn cause some serious health issues like cardiovascular issues including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Amphetamines can damage brain cells or primarily change the way the brain works. An overdose of the drug can be life-threatening for the teenager.
Causes of Teen Adjustment Disorder
Teen adjustment disorder may be triggered by the stress associated with the death of a close family member or a friend; the souring of an intimate relationship or a divorce; radical life-changes, such as a big move; financial problems; family unrest and disharmony; school bullying; and stress associated with sexual anxiety and hormonal changes.
Diagnosis of teen adjustment disorder
When going for the diagnosis of your teen’s disorder, you must watch for the behavioral symptoms within three months of stressful incidence happening. You must note down the behavior pattern of each month after the incident that caused the disorder. Share all those findings with the psychoanalyst to help him treat your ward.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Teen Adjustment Disorder
Careful observation of behavioral patterns after or during a stressful occurrence is of outmost importance in order to accurately diagnose and treat this disorder. Once diagnosed, treatment could be short-term or long-term depending on the intensity of the teen’s disorder.
Common treatment methods include:
Therapy: Therapy is the main solution for treating teen’s adjustment order. Therapists offer complete emotional and psychological support. It is important that the family is involved in the therapy sessions in order to understand the teen’s psyche and to provide effective future care and support. Therapies generally include a range of – psychotherapy, trauma psychological therapy, group & family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
Medication: In certain cases, where symptoms of this disorder are severe, interfering with the benefits of therapy or not allowing effective therapy to take place (such as, severe symptoms of insomnia, depression, or anxiety), medication will be recommended and prescribed to balance the treatment.
Prevention of Teen Adjustment Disorder
Although one can’t control the effects of a stressful occurrence on the teenage mind and body, there are ways for parents/family to manage the effects and temper its reactions, building internal resilience. With a good support network, healthy and balanced diet / exercise regime, and positive / humorous attitudes, this disorder can be prevented and/or limited in its severity.
Treatment at Hillcrest
Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center (Hillcrest) is a tranquil, rehabilitation oasis expertly designed to treat adolescents struggling with teen adjustment disorder. The magnificent residential facility is based in the tropical foothills of Agoura Hills, California. Rustic, yet elegant, it is uniquely situated and designed to provide and nurture healing on all levels, while focusing on the key principles of mind-body health.
Healing is accelerated when all states of being are nurtured. Hillcrest provides a healing environment that is multi-faceted, including, the ultimate balance of elegant accommodation, expansive green natural outdoors, nutritious meals, and wholesome healing programs, in order to ensure that recovery is deep-rooted and long-lasting. At Hillcrest you and your loved one are supported by our professional and dedicated staff every step of the way, both during and post-treatment.
