What is an adjustment disorder?
Adjustment disorders refer to an unhealthy, excessive emotional or behavioural response to an identifiable stressful event or change in someone’s life. Symptoms can include depressed mood, anxiety, or a change in conduct and occur within three months of the event or change.
Adjustment disorder symptoms in kids and teens
Children and teens experiencing adjustment disorder often struggle to cope with a recent change or stressful event. Their emotional or behavioural responses tend to be more intense than expected, given their age and the situation. This might look like:
- irritability
- tearfulness
- low mood
- sleep difficulties
- trouble concentrating
- withdrawal from social or school activities
These symptoms typically emerge within a few months of the identified stressor and are directly linked to it. Unlike more chronic mental health conditions, symptoms of adjustment disorder are expected to lessen once the child adapts or the stressor resolves—especially with appropriate support.
Adjustment disorder triggers
Adjustment disorders are typically triggered by a significant life change or stressful event. For children, common triggers include parental separation or divorce, the loss of a loved one or pet, moving to a new home, starting a new school, or major shifts in routine or caregiving.
Even events that seem positive—like the arrival of a new sibling or a family vacation—can feel overwhelming and destabilizing. It’s not just the event itself but how the child experiences and processes it that matters. Some children are more sensitive to change and may need extra support as they navigate transitions.
Adjustment disorder treatment & support
At Red Oak we support children and teens in navigating the impact of stressful life events and changes using evidence-based treatments tailored to the needs and age of the child. We support children with adjustment disorders through age-appropriate services:
- 12 and under support is provided by our occupational therapists.
- 13 and older support is provided by our child psychologists.
We help kids and teens build healthy coping strategies and strengthen resilience.
Learn more about psychology or occupational therapy at Red Oak
If your child is struggling to cope with a recent change or stressful event, we can help.
Book with a qualified, compassionate professional:
Adjustment disorders and other conditions
Adjustment disorders and ADHD
Transitions, changes, or stressful events can be especially difficult for kids with ADHD, leading to heightened emotional or behavioural responses. Adjustment disorders often overlap with ADHD, making flexibility and coping feel more challenging.
Learn more about ADHD and Comorbidities
Adjustment disorders and depression
Adjustment disorder with depressed mood can closely resemble clinical depression, but there are important differences.
With an adjustment disorder, symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest are clearly tied to a specific life stressor and are time-limited. These emotional changes tend to emerge shortly after the triggering event and typically improve as your child adjusts. In contrast, major depressive disorder is often more persistent, may not have an identifiable cause, and includes more severe symptoms such as feelings of worthlessness or suicidal thoughts.
Careful assessment is key to understanding whether a child’s mood difficulties are situational or part of a broader mental health concern.
Learn more about Depression & Mood Disorders
Adjustment disorders and anxiety
Children with adjustment disorder may experience symptoms that overlap with anxiety, such as excessive worry, restlessness, clinginess, or physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches. The key distinction lies in the cause and duration.
With an adjustment disorder, symptoms are directly linked to a specific stressor—like a move, change in school, or family transition—and tend to resolve once the child adapts. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, often persist over time, may not have a clear trigger, and can significantly interfere with a child’s functioning across multiple areas of life. Understanding the context helps us tailor the most effective support.
Learn more about Anxiety
Common questions about adjustment disorders
Are adjustment disorders in the DSM?
Yes, adjustment disorders are included in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision). They are categorized under Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders.
