Change is the Only Constant—The Practical Side
Of all the mental health disorders, there is one that I would argue most individuals on the planet will experience at some point, The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition calls this, “Adjustment Disorder.” Adjustment Disorder comes in different shapes and sizes, but the basic definition of this disorder is, “A condition in which a person responds to a stressful event (such as an illness, job loss, or divorce) with extreme emotions and actions that cause problems at work and home.”
People experiencing an adjustment disorder may feel anxious, depressed or both. They may feel stressed. They may even act out at times, having an outburst or demonstrating a negative behavior that is not their norm.
Life is a series of changes and adjustments. From growing up, to schooling, to jobs, to relationships, moves, losses and more, we are constantly facing change. This means we must constantly adjust. Sometimes we adjust with grace and peace, other times we do not. If we have not learned positive coping skills or seen others model how to weather life changes in a healthy manner, we will have a more difficult time embracing change and adjusting to the next season. In fact, we may be filled with fear or discouragement.
I want to add here that change can be seen as good or bad, positive or negative. However, no matter what kind of change it is, stress will be put on your nervous system—your body and your mind. Whether you are planning a long awaited, romantic wedding or planning your loved one’s funeral, your mind and body will see this as change and a challenge.
I will speak more about adjustment disorder in the personal blog on this piece, but for now I want to offer hope. The sooner you can learn the skills necessary to embrace change and feel encouraged when things evolve, the better off you will be. And this is possible. You can learn skills that you can use throughout your lifetime by meeting with one of our skilled and empathic mental health counselors. If you are struggling with adjusting to change or facing something new, we can help. Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment.
