Adjustment disorders are quite common in children and adolescents.
An adjustment disorder is defined as a maladaptive or unhealthy emotional or behavioral reaction to an identifiable stressful event or change in a person’s life. This reaction occurs within three months of the occurrence of the identified stressful event or change. A family move, parental divorce or separation, the loss of a pet, birth of a brother or sister, are some events that can cause children and adolescents to develop an adjustment disorder.
In all adjustment disorders, the reaction to the stressor seems to be in excess of a normal reaction, or the reaction significantly interferes with social or occupational (educational) functioning. (more)