Adjustment Disorder? WTH?

Ok so obviously I'm not so hot at blogging everyday. Its really not that I don't want to or NEED to. And actually since starting this journey I have had something occur everyday that I could enlighten everyone about. It just seems now that I'm clean/sober I have so much more life to lead. I don't have the down time that I had when I was abusing drugs and alcohol. I guess mainly because when i stayed high and drunk I managed to close myself into my own existence. I never had the energy, the drive to step outside of my comfort zone of my house. I never left my room much less my house! Now its like I stay so busy doing normal everyday chores and activities its hard for me to sit down and type out my day(s). But I'm am going to try and do better. This is a form of therapy for my soul, and I need all the therapy I can get my hands on.

So I went to my counselor Monday morning and was given the opportunity to read my medical records from my stint in the Psychiatric Ward at Brookwood Hospital. It was not anywhere as bad as I had assumed that it would be. See while on vacation at this fine hospital, I was a bit disruptive:) Ok I punched a doctor in the face, threw my boots (Polo boots mind you), and threw my phone at or near the nurses station. I was then furnished with the hospitals finest set of 4 point restraints, served a dose of  Giadoll (a calming agent) and sent to slumber in the finest of locked dorms. I was kept company by 5 other "violent" guests of the hospital. Needless to say none of this was included in my record sent to my counselor. (I was literally shocked by this lack of information) I was however "diagnosed" with a new problem. The medical world has given me a new terminology for what I seem to struggle with. Adjustment Disorder. WTH? I had no clue what this terminology was, so  I did what I always do: I Googled it. And actually it all started to make sense to me. Granted I still believe that I suffer from sever depression, and quite possibly I am, as they originally diagnosed me, Bipolar. But Adjustment Disorder covers a broad band of my symptoms almost to a T. I am going to Copy and Paste a little info. into this blog so that you can start to see how my mind works and maybe get a better understanding into my world of obstacles.

Hopefully, by pushing myself more everyday, I will be able to open up more on this blog and clean out some of these filthy closets. So dont worry there is tons more things that i havent even touched on yet that will keep you either interested and returning for more, or have you thinking damn that girl is insane! Actually I would have to go with both of those options. LOL I dont have any set plans for tomorrow so I should be able to vent a little more then. See ya soon.

Adjustment disorder

Last reviewed: February 14, 2010.

Adjustment disorder is an emotional and behavioral reaction that develops within 3 months of a life stress, and which is stronger or greater than what would be expected for the type of event that occurred.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Adults often develop adjustment disorder due to marital or financial problems.
In adolescents, common stressors include:

• Family conflict
• School problems
• Sexuality issues

Other stressors for people of any age include:

• Death of a loved one
• General life changes
• Unexpected catastrophes

There is no way to predict which people who are affected by the same stress are likely to develop adjustment disorder. Financial conditions, social support, and career and recreational opportunities can influence how well a person reacts to stress. A person's susceptibility to stress may be influenced by factors such as:

• Coping strategies
• Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Genetic factors
• Social skills

Symptoms

For a diagnosis of adjustment disorder, a person's symptoms must be severe enough to affect his or her work or social life. Some of the symptoms include:

• Agitation
• Conduct disturbances
• Depressed mood
• Palpitations
• Physical complaints
• Trembling or twitching

Symptoms of adjustment disorder typically begin within 3 months of the stressor, and usually do not last longer than 6 months, unless the stressor continues to be present (such as an illness or living in a dangerous neighborhood).
On occasion, symptoms can be severe and the person may have thoughts of suicide or make a suicide attempt.

Signs and tests

The following criteria need to be met to establish a diagnosis:

• The symptoms clearly follow a stressor
• The symptoms are more severe than would be expected
• There do not appear to be other underlying disorders
• The symptoms are not part of normal grieving for the death of a loved one

Treatment

The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and help the person return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occurred.
Individual therapy can help the person:

• Get support
• Identify his or her abnormal responses to the stressor
• Maximize the use of his or her strengths

Most mental health professionals recommend some type of talk therapy to help the person identify or learn different responses to the stressors in their life. Types of therapy may include:

• Behavior therapy
• Individual psychotherapy
• Family therapy
• Self-help groups

When medications are used, they are usually in addition to other forms of treatment. Depending on the symptoms, these may include:

• Anti-anxiety medicines
• Antidepressant medicines
• Antipsychotic medicines (rarely)
• Stimulants (for patients who are very withdrawn)

Expectations (prognosis)

Adjustment disorders usually get better quickly without any remaining symptoms.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of adjustment disorder.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent this disorder. Strong support from friends and family can help.