Adjustment Disorders
Adjustment disorder is a short-term condition that occurs when a person has great difficulty coping with, or adjusting to, a particular source of stress, such as a major life change, loss, or event. In 2013, the mental health diagnostic system technically changed the name of "adjustment disorder" to "stress response syndrome."
Because people with an adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome often have some of the symptoms of clinical depression, such as tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of interest in work or activities, adjustment disorder is sometimes informally called "situational depression." Unlike major depression, however, an adjustment disorder doesn't involve as many of the physical and emotional symptoms of clinical depression (such as changes in sleep, appetite and energy) or high levels of severity (such as suicidal thinking or behavior).
The type of stress that can trigger an adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome varies depending on the person, but can include:
Ending of a relationship or marriage
Losing or changing job
Death of a loved one
Developing a serious illness (yourself or a loved one)
Being a victim of a crime
Having an accident
Undergoing a major life change (such as getting married, having a baby, or retiring from a job)
Living through a disaster, such as a fire, flood, or hurricane