Adjustment Disorder in College Students: Signs, Symptoms & Support
Some amount of anxiety is normal when moving out and settling into college life. New social and academic pressures can be intense, especially without your old friends and family to support you. However, if you’re having a lot of difficulty settling in and it’s disrupting your daily life, you may be experiencing something called adjustment disorder.
Adjustment disorder in college students is distinct from depressive and anxiety disorders, although it can involve similar symptoms. It usually goes away once you’ve gotten used to the transition, but many young people will need support during this time. In some cases, this support can come from friends and family. However, some students may need professional help settling into college life.
This article explores adjustment disorder and how teens can be supported when going off to college. It will cover:
- What adjustment disorder is.
- How it differs from other conditions.
- Why the transition to college can cause adjustment disorder.
- Signs and symptoms of adjustment disorder in college students.
- How adjustment disorder is connected to anxiety and depression in college students.
- Treatment options, including counseling and social support.
What Is Adjustment Disorder?
An adjustment disorder is said to arise when someone can’t cope with a significant life change. On the whole, it’s completely normal to feel stressed by events like:
- The loss of a pet.
- A career change.
- Moving.
An adjustment disorder describes an excessive or unhealthy response to these kinds of stressful events.[1]
Though anyone can experience adjustment disorders, they’re most commonly diagnosed in children and teenagers. Their reactions may be emotional, behavioral, or a combination of the two.[1]
Adjustment disorder in college students can develop in response to a range of college-related stressors. Homesickness, time management difficulties, and pressure to socialize can all make it hard to adjust to university life.[2] College stress affects every student differently, often depending on:
- Their personality.
- Past experiences.
- Their distance from home.
- The support available to them.
Before exploring adjustment disorder in college students, we’ll first discuss why this seemingly normal experience has its own diagnosis.
Is Adjustment Disorder an Outdated Diagnosis?
Some experts suggest that the diagnosis of adjustment disorder is outdated because it pathologizes normal sadness or stress arising from common life events.[3] For instance, who’s to say what a “normal” amount of sadness is when a child’s pet dies? It could even be argued that diagnosing a child with adjustment disorder attaches stigma to an understandable emotional response.
Another reason for criticism is that the diagnostic criteria for adjustment disorder are vague and overlap significantly with other mental health conditions. Experts suggest that a diagnosis of adjustment disorder may fail to recognize other diagnoses, such as depression or anxiety.[3]
On the other hand, adjustment disorder may prevent college students from being labelled with a serious psychiatric diagnosis for the rest of their lives. This is because it’s a ‘subthreshold’ disorder, meaning that symptoms aren’t serious enough to qualify as an anxiety or depressive condition.[3]
Whether or not the diagnosis is outdated, adjustment disorder can still provide a framework for understanding people who are struggling with change. This can help young people who are finding the transition to college difficult recognize the need for effective treatment and support.
Why Does the Transition to College Cause Adjustment Disorder?
Adjustment disorder in college students can arise for many reasons. A transition of this magnitude involves changes across nearly every aspect of a young person’s life.
Attending college for the first time places several pressures on young people emotionally, socially, and academically. Not only are they adjusting to a completely new environment, but they’ve also left the comfort and safety of their friends and family home.[2] Factors that can contribute to adjustment disorder at college include:[2]
- Pressure to socialize, make friends, and attend events.
- Feeling homesick and missing both friends and family members.
- New time management regimes.
- Different learning and studying formats.
- More demanding intellectual standards and academic workloads.
- Financial responsibilities.
- Culture shock.
- Socioeconomic differences with peers.
- Responsibilities to cook and clean independently.
Though every college student must adjust to these new circumstances, not everyone will develop adjustment disorder. So, what makes some young adults more susceptible?
Risk Factors for Adjustment Disorder in College Students
Though the factors above commonly influence college students’ mental health, some young adults are more susceptible to adjustment disorder than others.
Young people have different:
- Temperaments.
- Past experiences.
- Coping skills.
- Vulnerabilities.
The way they respond to college stress depends on these factors, as well as the particular stressors that they’re experiencing.[1]
Research into adjustment disorder found that it more commonly affects people who come from urban environments and that women are more vulnerable than men.[4] If someone doesn’t have a good support system, they’ll be more likely to struggle with big life changes.
Students who experience unstable home environments or limited independence before college may also be at higher risk. Existing mental health conditions can also be a major risk factor.
Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder in College Students
Adjustment disorder symptoms typically interfere with a college student’s daily functioning. This might mean their social life, academic activities, or work experiences. Their nutrition, sleep, and hobbies could also be affected.[1] Symptoms of adjustment disorder in college students include:[1]
- Tearfulness.
- Depressed mood and feelings of hopelessness.
- Nervousness and worry.
- Jitteriness or agitation.
- Fear of separating from key attachment figures (parents or caregivers).
In some students, adjustment disorder may also present as negative or antisocial behaviors. These are described as conduct violations, and can include:[1]
- Fighting.
- Reckless driving.
- Destruction of property.
Mission Connection is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Adjustment Disorder and Other Mental Health Conditions
On one hand, the criteria for an adjustment disorder diagnosis distinguish it from other conditions. Though the symptoms can overlap with those of anxiety and depression, symptoms of adjustment disorder don’t cross the threshold to qualify as an anxiety or depressive disorder.[3]
However, the stress of adjusting to college life can act as a catalyst for other mental health difficulties or exacerbate pre-existing issues. For example:
- Students with depression are more likely to experience both adjustment disorder and persistent depressive episodes as a result of stressful life events.[5]
- Anxiety in college students commonly arises with adjustment disorder at levels that are close to other anxiety disorders. Students may experience the physical symptoms of anxiety as well as rumination.[6]
- Adjustment disorders also share commonalities with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, a PTSD diagnosis requires traumatic events to have occurred, instead of normal, significant life changes.[7]
These connections place adjustment disorder at an intersection between stress, anxiety, and depression. Getting a precise diagnosis may be difficult, but it may not be the most important thing for college students. More important is that their symptoms are understood and treated appropriately.
If the need for a diagnosis can be set aside momentarily, support for adjustment disorder in college students can be personalized to however it manifests.
Treating Adjustment Disorder in College Students
An effective response to adjustment difficulties in college students requires a multi-directional approach. Going to college is a significant life change, so uncertainty is only natural. However, with the right support, it can be a positive opportunity for growth and personal development.
College Support
All colleges have some kind of student support system in place to provide advice for students adjusting to university. They may have:[8]
- Therapy services.
- Peer mentoring schemes.
- Financial and academic adjustments.
- Skills training.
These avenues are designed to support students with different aspects of college life that may be challenging.
If you’re a student who’s struggling to adjust, reach out to your college support services. They’ll be able to direct you to their internal assistance and help connect you with therapy services in the local area.
Social Support
Research finds that students are more likely to have adjustment problems if they struggle with socializing.[2] The same research suggests that socializing could be an effective way to not only reduce adjustment difficulties but also improve academic performance.[2]
Though social anxiety may be part of a student’s adjustment disorder, small efforts to socialize can help students:
- Manage stress.
- Connect with others.
- Settle into college life.
Students can also receive social support from friends and family back home. If you are going away to college, staying in touch can help you feel connected, whether that’s via letters, video calls, or inviting your loved ones to come and visit.[8]
Students with adjustment disorder may also benefit from leaning on new friends and neighbors at college in addition to those at home. Being sociable on campus may be uncomfortable at first, but it’s ultimately something that can help students feel settled into their new environment.
Therapeutic Support
The nature of adjustment disorders is that they tend to fade once the stressor is removed or adapted to. However, many college students can benefit from mental health support to help them adapt and develop coping mechanisms. Furthermore, professional support at this time can help students cultivate better resilience for future stressful life events.[9] Options include:[1]
- Individual counseling and psychotherapy: Whether the approach is humanistic, psychodynamic, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), therapy can be extremely helpful. CBT gives practical skills for managing stress and overcoming fears, while other talk therapies are less directive but may be just as useful.
Some students may prefer a non-directive approach, which provides more empathy and space to process how their past experiences have affected them. - Peer group therapy: Group therapy is an engaging option for students struggling to adjust at university. It tends to be cheaper than individual counseling and offers a different kind of support.
Students may find validation in speaking to peers with similar experiences, but may also fear being vulnerable in front of a group. Overcoming these fears can be powerful for social anxiety and assertiveness.
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Life transitions can be challenging at any stage of life, but the move to college is a significant one. Marked by the separation from home and first foray into adulthood, this particular life change is understandably challenging for many students.
If you’re a family member who has noticed anxiety or depression in your college student, or you’re a student who’s finding things difficult, you can reach out to us here at Mission Connection. We offer a range of counseling options for adjustment disorder in college students, as well as various other mental health conditions.
At Mission Connection, we focus on providing personalized mental health treatments for each unique person who seeks our support. This means that we’ll consider your life situation and preferences when creating an adjustment disorder treatment plan.
Our outpatient treatment options include in-person programs at our locations in California, Virginia, and Washington, virtual telehealth, and hybrid programs that combine in-person and virtual care.
Mission Connection is Joint Commission-accredited. We also accept almost all insurance providers, so that your recovery is not hindered due to financial issues.
Whether adjustment disorder manifests as depression, anxiety, a combination of the two, or something else, our licensed professionals can help.
To start your personalized mental health support with us, reach out to us online or call us at 866-833-1822. We’re here to talk you through your options and answer any questions you might have about treatment.
