HOMEOPATHY FOR ADJUSTMENT DISORDER

Adjustment disorders are stress -related conditions. It is a group of symptoms, such as stress, feeling sad or hopeless, and physical symptoms that can occur after going through a stressful life event.

Work problems, going away to school, an illness, death of a close family member or any number of life changes can cause stress. Most of the time, people adjust such changes within a few months. But if the person have an adjustment disorder, he/she continue to have emotional or behavioral reactions that can contribute to feeling anxious or depressed.

Adjustment disorder is characterized by those disorders which occur within one month of a significant life change (stressor). This disorder usually occurs in those individuals who are vulnerable due to poor coping skills or personality factors. It is assumed that the disorder would not have arisen in the absence of the stressor (s). The duration of the disorder is usually less than 6 months, expect in the case of prolonged depressive reaction. Most patients recover within a period of 3 months.

Adjustment disorders are one of the commoner psychiatric disorders seen in the clinical practice. They are most frequently seen in adolescents and women. Although adjustment disorder is often precipitated by one or more stressors, it usually represents a maladaptive response to the stressful life event(s)

Causes

A variety of stressful events can cause an adjustment disorder. Some of the common causes in adults include:

·         Death of a family member or friend

·         Relationship issues or divorce

·         Major life changes

·         Illness or a health issue

·         Moving to a new house or place

·         Sudden disasters

·         Money troubles or fears

Typical causes in children and teenagers include:

·         Family fights or problems

·         Problems in school

·         Anxiety over sexuality

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms of an adjustment disorder typically begin shortly after the stressful event and do not continue beyond 6 months after the stressor has stopped.

There are many manifestations of an adjustment disorder, common ones include:

·         Feelings of  sadness  , hopelessness or being trapped

·         Anxiousness

·         Rebellious or impulsive actions

·         Frequent crying

·         Worrying or feeling anxious, nervous, jittery, or stressed out

·         Trouble sleeping

·         Lack of appetite

·         Difficulty concentrating

·         Feeling overwhelmed

·         Difficulty functioning in daily activities

·         Withdrawing from social supports

·         Avoiding important things such as going to work or paying bills

·         Suicidal thoughts or behavior

·         Muscle twitches or trembling

·         Body pain or soreness

·         Fatigue

·         Indigestion

Types of Adjustment disorder

Following are the six types of adjustment disorder and their symptoms:

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood: Depressed mood, fearfulness, sadness, hopelessness. It is also associated with crying.  Adolescence with this type of adjustment disorder is at increased risk of major depressive disorder in young childhood.

Adjustment disorder with anxiety: Symptoms of anxiety suggest palpitation and vegetation are present in adjustment disorder with anxiety.

Adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood: Patient exhibit features of both anxiety and depression that do not meet the criteria of an already established anxiety disorder or depressive disorder.

Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct: In this predominant manifestation involves conduct in which the rights of others are violated or age appropriate social norms and rules are disregarded. Examples of behavior in this category are abstinence, vandalism, reckless driving and fighting.

Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotion and conduct: Symptoms linked to this type of adjustment disorder include depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems.

Adjustment disorder unspecified: Those diagnosed with adjustment disorder unspecified have symptoms that are not associated with the other types of adjustment disorder. These often include physical symptoms or problems with friends, family, work, or school.

Treatment

·         Supportive psychotherapy remains the treatment of choice.

·         Crisis intervention is useful in some patients, by helping to quickly resolve the stressful life situation which has led to the onset of adjustment disorder.

·         Stress management training and Coping skills training

·         Drug treatment may be needed in some patients for the management of anxiety or depressive symptoms.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When adjustment disorder  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

AURUM METALLICUM:  Complaints after grief, fright, anger, disappointed love, contradiction, reserved displeasure, financial loss. Profound depression, hopelessness. A through disgust of life. Tendency to suicide and longing for death. Great desire to commit suicide. Talks of committing suicide, but great  fear of death. Feeling of self- condemnation and utter worthlessness. Profound despondency with increased blood pressure. Peevish. Rapid and constant questioning without waiting for answers. Oversensitive to noise, excitement, confusion. Chronic insomnia with depression. Restless sleep with anxious and frightful dreams.

GELSEMIUM SEMPERVIRENS:  Bad effects from fright, fear, exciting news. Effects of grief, cannot cry, broods over her loss. Delirious on falling asleep. Sleepless from irritation.  Mental dullness, dizzy, drowsy, and droopy. Emotional excitement , fear leading to physical ailments.

IGNATIA AMARA: Ailments from grief, fright or emotional shocks, disappointments. Sighing and sobbing. Inward weeping, enjoys being sad. Changeable mood. Oversensitive and nervous. Silently brooding. Not communicative. Constantly frustrated. Internal conflicts with herself.  Insomnia from grief.  Sensation of a lump in throat.

STAPHYSAGRIA: Sadness without any cause with irritability. Peevish. Sensitive emotionally and physically. Hypochondriacal. Irritable, impatient, nervous, excitable and violent. Violent outbursts of passion. Prefers solitude, dwells on sexual matters. Ill effects of  anger  and humiliation. Abdominal colic after anger.

SILICEA: Loss of self confidence. Complaints from anticipation. Yielding, faint- hearted, anxious. Nervous and excitable. Sensitive to all impressions. Weeping mood. Abstracted. Fixed ideas. Hopeless and sad. Disgust for life, wishes to drown herself.