Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment Disorder can be triggered by a wide range of life events, including:

• Relationship breakdown or divorce
• Job loss, career change, or workplace stress
• Moving house or relocating
• Retirement
• Becoming a parent
• Illness or injury (your own or a loved one’s)
• Bereavement or loss
• Financial stress or legal issues
• Starting or finishing school or university
• Changes in identity or role (e.g. after migration or caregiving changes)

The severity of the event is less important than how it affects the individual. What feels manageable to one person may be deeply distressing to another.

Adjustment Disorder can present with emotional, physical, and behavioural symptoms, such as:

• Persistent sadness, tearfulness, or hopelessness
• Excessive worry, anxiety or nervousness
• Irritability, anger or frustration
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Withdrawal from relationships or daily activities
• Sleep disturbances or changes in appetite
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope
• Physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches or stomach upset

These symptoms often cause significant distress or impact functioning at work, school, or in relationships.

If you’ve experienced a recent change and are finding it difficult to adjust, support is available. You may benefit from speaking with a psychologist if:

• Your emotional response feels out of proportion or prolonged
• You’re experiencing significant distress that’s hard to manage
• You’re withdrawing from usual activities or relationships
• You’re not “bouncing back” the way you hoped to
• You’d like help developing new coping strategies

At Seed Psychology, our team of compassionate and experienced psychologists can support you through life’s transitions. We understand that change can be disorienting—even when it’s chosen or expected.

We offer evidence-based therapies tailored to your needs, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to address unhelpful thought patterns and develop coping skills
  
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – to support resilience and values-based living during change
  
• Mindfulness and self-regulation techniques – to manage distress and stay grounded
  
• Supportive therapy and stress management strategies – to improve emotional wellbeing and clarity

We provide a safe, non-judgemental space to process what you’re going through, explore what the change means for you, and find ways to move forward with strength and self-compassion.

Life transitions are part of being human—but you don’t have to go through them alone. If you’re struggling to adjust to recent changes, help is available.

Contact Seed Psychology today to book an appointment in Brunswick East or via telehealth across Australia.