Adjustment disorders

Specific treatment for adjustment disorders will be determined by your adolescent's physician based on:   

• your adolescent's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of your adolescent's symptoms
• subtype of the adjustment disorder
• your adolescent's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the stressful event
• your opinion or preference

Treatment may include: 

• individual psychotherapy using cognitive-behavioral approaches - Cognitive-behavioral approaches are used to improve age-appropriate problem solving skills, communication skills, impulse control, anger management skills, and stress management skills.
• family therapy - Family therapy is often focused on making needed changes within the family system such as improving communication skills and family interactions, as well as increasing family support among family members.
• peer group therapy - Peer group therapy is often focused on developing and using social skills and interpersonal skills.
• medication - While medications have very limited value in the treatment of adjustment disorders, medication may be considered on a short term basis if a specific symptom is severe and known to be responsive to medication.

Helping your child with medical experiences

If it has been recommended or you have decided that your child is in need of a significant medical procedure or hospitalization, this Guide is for you. It was created with the help of parents and professionals to help prepare you for what will happen during your child’s hospitalization, and to give you information about specific ways to help you and your child cope with medical procedures and with the hospital stay.