Adjustment Disorders

Having a back injury is a life changing ordeal. You have to cope with the understanding that you can't do what you used to do, that pain may be a daily part of your life, and that finding relief can be difficult.

Most people can adjust to their new way of life after a back injury, but some people may experience what doctors call an adjustment disorder. This is a condition that arises when something changes in your life and you are unable to cope with it.

You can feel depressed, destructive, and anxious along with a whole host of other symptoms. Relax. You aren't going crazy. Come to BASIC Spine and speak with our specialist, because this condition is treatable.

Causes

Researchers are unsure what causes some people to adjust to change just fine and others to have difficulty with it. As with other mental illness, the cause may be based on neurochemicals in the brain. When these chemicals are out of balance - too much or too little - you cannot think clearly and experience depression and anxiety. Some think that there may be a genetic component, too, that a back injury or trauma brings to the fore.

If someone in your family has had issues with adjusting or problems with depression or bipolar disorder, you may be more susceptible to having an adjustment disorder. Researchers find that women are more likely than men to experience this condition, but other causes are still not known.

Symptoms

The symptoms of adjustment disorder are similarly difficult to pin down. If you are feeling that you cannot adjust to the situation you are in, then your perception of your reality is the only symptom that needs to be present. In other words, if you are feeling that you can't adjust and it has been an extended period of time, chances are that you have an adjustment disorder.

Some common symptoms are seen in those with this condition, though. You can experience emotional symptoms, such as feeling sad, hopelessness, crying episodes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, desperation, trouble concentrating, and a general feeling of overwhelm.

You can also act out your symptoms by starting fights, driving recklessly, disregarding bills and responsibilities, avoiding friends and family, and performing poorly in school or work. These are all signs that you are not able to adjust to your back injury, and you may need further intervention. At BASIC Spine, we are dedicated to helping you find that relief.

Treatments

As with most mental disorders, the best treatments are medications and psychotherapy. Many medications can help you overcome the depression and anxiety that crop up after a life changing back injury. For instance, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, and benzodiazepines can help you to conquer specific parts of the symptoms you are experiencing. No one medication for adjustment disorders exists, but with the combination of other therapies and supportive medications, you should be able to cope with your new life circumstances.

Sometimes, therapy is more important than medications. It is easy to take a pill and think that it will solve the problem. Often, though, that isn't the case. You need to talk to someone about why you are having a difficult time adjusting to adverse spine conditions. You need someone who knows coping skills and can teach them to you.

This is the main purpose of therapy. You will learn how to overcome your feelings of depression and anxiety and find a way to accept the back problems you have. Since the back problems are unlikely to go away, talking your issues out with a caring therapist is often just the thing you need to help you cope.

At BASIC Spine, we are a holistic practice that focuses on both the body and the mind. If you are experiencing any mental anguish over your back injury, our caring professionals can help you to overcome them. You do not need to seek out other medical support because we have on staff a pain psychologist, Dr. Pavan Mann, Ph.D, who can help you identify your issues and suggest treatments. If you are serious about overcoming your back pain and any mental blocks it has caused in you, contact us today for a consultation.