Helping Your Child Overcome Adjustment Challenges

Parenting a child struggling with an adjustment disorder can be tough. If you’re noticing your child becoming more anxious, withdrawn, or acting out due to changes at school, home, or in their routine, it can leave you feeling unsure of how to help them navigate these feelings.

Therapy offers a safe, supportive environment where your child can process their emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. Through tailored approaches like Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy, your child will be empowered to express themselves, understand their emotions, and build resilience in the face of change. With the right support, they can learn to adjust more effectively, improving both their emotional well-being and your family’s ability to cope together.

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder in Children

When a child experiences a big change or stressful event, it’s normal for them to feel upset or out of sorts for a little while. But if the symptoms stick around and seem to affect their everyday life, it might be a sign of adjustment disorder. Here are some common signs you might notice in your child:

Emotional Signs:

• Anxiety or Worry: Your child might feel constantly nervous or scared, especially about the thing that’s changed (like school, a move, or family changes).

• Sadness or Tears: They may seem down, cry more than usual, or lose interest in things they used to enjoy, like playing with friends or their favorite activities.

• Irritability or Mood Swings: You might notice your child getting upset or angry more easily, even over small things that wouldn’t normally bother them.

• Feeling Overwhelmed: They might seem like they’re carrying the weight of the world, acting like they can't handle things as well as they used to.

Behavioral Signs:

• Sleep or Appetite Issues: Stress can disrupt their sleep, causing them to have trouble falling asleep or wake up often. They might also eat less or more than usual.

• Struggling in School: If they usually do okay in school, you might start seeing a drop in their grades or focus, as it’s harder for them to concentrate or stay engaged.

• Withdrawing from Others: Your child might avoid spending time with friends, or even pull away from family. You might hear them say they don’t want to go to school or to social events.

• Acting Out or Risky Behavior: In some cases, children may act out by being more defiant, throwing tantrums, or getting into trouble at school or home.

These symptoms usually show up within a few months of a big change (like a divorce, moving, or a loss) and can really affect how your child functions at school, at home, or with friends. While some distress is normal, adjustment disorder happens when these feelings and behaviors stick around longer than expected or seem out of proportion to the event.

How Therapy Can Help:

Therapy can give your child a safe place to talk about what’s going on inside and learn healthy ways to cope with their feelings. With support, they can build the skills they need to handle the stress and feel more in control, whether it's at home, at school, or with friends. If you're noticing these signs in your child, getting help early can make a big difference in how they adjust and heal.

If you’re worried about your child’s emotional or behavioral changes, therapy can help them feel better and give you the tools to support them.