Risk factors

Some things may make you more likely to have an adjustment disorder.

Stressful events

Stressful life events — both positive and negative — may put you at risk of developing an adjustment disorder. For example:

• Divorce or marital problems
• Relationship or interpersonal problems
• Changes in situation, such as retirement, having a baby or going away to school
• Adverse situations, such as losing a job, loss of a loved one or having financial issues
• Problems in school or at work
• Life-threatening experiences, such as physical assault, combat or natural disaster
• Ongoing stressors, such as having a medical illness or living in a crime-ridden neighborhood

Your life experiences

Life experiences can impact how you cope with stress. For example, your risk of developing an adjustment disorder may be increased if you:

• Experienced significant stress in childhood
• Have other mental health problems
• Have a number of difficult life circumstances happening at the same time