Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition that results from stress and can cause your child to have severe emotional and behavioral responses. But the response to the stress is far more severe than expected. It's severe enough to affect your child's school, work, or social life. And it may lead to depression and physical pains. Events that may cause this response can include the parents' divorce, awareness of family money problems, or starting school or a new job. It might be anything that causes some stress.
This disorder is most often a short-term condition. It happens within 3 months of the stressful event or change. If the response lasts longer than 6 months after the event ends, your child may have a different mental health condition.
Have your child do relaxation exercises 10 to 20 minutes a day. Your child can play soothing, relaxing music at this time.
Tell others in your house that your child is going to do relaxation exercises. Ask them not to disturb your child. Help your child find a comfortable, quiet place.
Have your child:
As your child continues to breathe slowly and deeply, help your child relax by having them do these next steps for another 5 to 10 minutes:
When the relaxation time is over, have your child come back to alertness by moving their fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Then your child can stretch and move their entire body. Sometimes people fall asleep during relaxation. But they most often wake up soon.
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
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If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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