Adjustment Disorders Rehab: Treatment for Symptoms, Causes, & More

Adjustment disorder is when someone has an excessive reaction to stressful life events. It’s common after experiences such as divorce, job loss, relocation, or the death of a family member.

Adjustment disorder can significantly affect your quality of life, especially if it’s not treated in time.

Fortunately, professional rehab programs can help you regain emotional balance and build stress management and problem-solving skills.

Learn how rehab for adjustment disorders works, the symptoms it treats, the therapies healthcare providers use, and how to find the best resources for recovery.

Rehab programs treat adjustment disorders by providing structured support to help process emotional distress, develop coping mechanisms, and address symptoms.

Adjustment disorders are excessive emotional or behavioral responses to life changes that go beyond regular grief or bereavement.

They usually happen within 3 months of a stressful life event (i.e., divorce or the death of a loved one) and can affect children, adolescents, and adults.

These disorders can cause negative thoughts, changes in behavior, and strong emotions, leading to health issues such as depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Rehab programs for adjustment disorders usually include:

• A psychiatric evaluation — a mental health professional will refer to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to make a diagnosis
• A customized treatment plan that provides education, medication (if needed), therapy, and support
• Activities and support groups to foster reflection, growth, and friendship with peers

Behavioral symptoms of an adjustment disorder depend on the subtype. Here are the most common symptoms of each type of adjustment disorder:

• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood symptoms include sadness, hopelessness, and crying.
• Adjustment disorder with anxiety symptoms include worrying, nervousness, separation anxiety (for children), and jitters.
• Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct symptoms may include violating societal rules, norms, and others’ rights.
• Adjustment disorder unspecified symptoms may include social withdrawal and withdrawing from normally expected activities, such as work or school.

Medical providers treat adjustment disorder symptoms through the following:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy), like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy, can help you spot and change how you respond to a stressor. This can help minimize symptoms.
• Medications, such as anti-anxiety meds (benzodiazepines) and antidepressants, may be prescribed based on your symptoms. They can help if you feel anxious or depressed or have difficulty sleeping.
• Support groups connect you with peers struggling with the cause(s) of adjustment disorder — for example, a divorce or job change. They provide validation, connection, and safety, helping you cope with challenges.

Adjustment disorder can sometimes cause side effects if it’s not diagnosed and treated in time. These side effects may include:

• Substance abuse or substance use disorder (SUD)
• Self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts
• Physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, stomachaches)
• Withdrawing from people who support you socially
• Ignoring important tasks, such as paying bills or going to work
• Mental health conditions, including major depression, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder

Rehab centers can identify and treat these issues through a comprehensive treatment plan. Depending on your needs, your plan may include detox support, medications, and long-term therapy.

Mental health rehab programs for adjustment disorders may involve several treatment types. Talk to your medical provider to see which is best.

Top treatment programs for adjustment disorder rehab include residential treatment, outpatient treatment, therapies, and other adjustment disorder treatments.

Residential rehab treatment provides 24/7 care in a structured setting.

It’s best for people struggling with severe symptoms or those who need distance from triggering environments, such as the home or office.

Residential treatment for adjustment disorder typically includes:

• Daily therapy sessions
• Group therapy
• Medication management
• Holistic approaches like yoga or art therapy

Outpatient rehab allows you to attend therapy sessions during the day and return home in the evenings.

A flexible option for people with mild to moderate symptoms, outpatient rehab lets patients maintain work, school, or family obligations while still receiving support.

There are several types of outpatient treatment:

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are intensive programs that provide treatment typically for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are less intensive than PHPs, but more intensive than outpatient programs. They usually require you to attend evening or morning therapy sessions.
• Outpatient programs (OPs) are the least intensive outpatient program type. They only require you to attend 1 hour per week.

Rehab for adjustment disorders usually incorporates a variety of therapy techniques. These include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients recognize and change negative thought patterns.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on improving communication and relationships.
• Trauma-informed therapy addresses underlying trauma that may be contributing to emotional instability.
• Family therapy focuses on improving communication among family members and resolving conflicts. It can address triggers and other factors affecting adjustment disorders.

In addition to standard therapies, many rehab centers offer other adjustment disorder treatments to enhance treatments and promote long-term healing.

Common complementary treatments for adjustment disorder include:

• Medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications for stabilizing mood
• Holistic therapies like acupuncture, meditation, music therapy, and fitness programs
• Psychoeducation to help patients understand their condition and how to manage it

Recovering from adjustment disorder can be challenging, even if you’re enrolled in a rehab program.

Fortunately, ongoing support and education can help connect you with medical and emotional support.

Here are the top resources for adjustment disorder:

• Mental Health America (MHA) offers free mental health tests, screening, and recovery guides.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides local peer groups and educational materials.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national treatment locator and crisis lifeline.

If you or a loved one has adjustment disorder, a top-reviewed rehab center can help you achieve and sustain recovery. Rehab healthcare professionals will listen to your story and match you with the best program for your needs.

Reach out to PsyWeb to find a suitable mental rehab center near you. We’re a trusted resource for adjustment disorder rehab centers and other mental health care providers for stressor-related disorders.