Adjustment disorders and behavioral problems: understanding, recognizing and finding help

Everyone goes through times when everything feels heavier: a child who cries every morning before school, a teen who locks themself in their room after a breakup, an adult who can no longer find the energy to go to work. These situations are part of life and, very often, temporary.

However, when these difficulties stop being temporary and settle into daily life — at work, at school, in relationships — they become warning signs. This is when we talk about a troubled period: a fragile in-between that, without help, can sometimes develop into a recognized disorder.

Recognizing the signs is not about labeling everything, but about understanding the emotional and behavioral symptoms that can result. It’s simply giving yourself a chance to act early, to slow the spiral and regain life balance. In the following sections, we will see how these manifestations present at different ages, and above all how qualified practitioners can help you get through these periods and prevent them from becoming a diagnosable disorder.

Adjustment disorders and behavioral disorders: what’s the difference?

To better understand this gradation, it is useful to distinguish the nuances between a temporary difficulty, a troubled period and a diagnosed disorder. Adjustment difficulties, for example, are common: they appear after a change or a stressful event and often lessen over time. Troubled periods appear when symptoms become more persistent and begin to interfere with certain areas of daily life. Finally, we speak of a disorder when a professional makes a diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria, finding a lasting disruption of functioning that may require an intervention plan or, in some cases, medical treatment.

Adjustment disorder is expressed by a reaction disproportionate to a stressor such as a separation, job loss or illness. Behavioral and relational disorders, on the other hand, take the form of persistent behaviors — impulsivity, aggressiveness, withdrawal, repeated conflicts, attachment difficulties — often exacerbated by stressors. These two realities can overlap: an untreated adjustment disorder can worsen or lead to deeper behavioral and relational difficulties.

Being able to recognize these nuances is already a way to act early and to remember that there are resources to get through these moments and regain balance.

Recognizing symptoms by age… and knowing where to turn

For the child

In younger children, some reactions are normal during changes or stressful periods: temporary tantrums, anxiety before the start of school, difficulty falling asleep or increased need for reassurance. Sometimes these difficulties also manifest physically — stomachaches, nausea or vomiting before school — and it’s important not to minimize these signals. Most of the time, these manifestations remain temporary and ease with the support of those around the child.

When symptoms become more persistent — daily tantrums, repeated school refusal, marked withdrawal, physical pains that recur without a clear medical explanation — we then speak of a troubled period. The child is no longer able to adapt as before and their school, family or social functioning is affected.

If this disruption of functioning persists over time and lastingly disturbs daily life, a professional may diagnose an adjustment disorder or a behavioral disorder, leading to a structured intervention plan, sometimes in collaboration with a physician.

To support the child at each stage — from temporary difficulties to diagnosed disorders — several professionals can play a key role:

• Learning specialist : supports the child in their school learning, helps them overcome difficulties and develop adaptation strategies.
• Family/parenting coach : supports parents to better understand their child’s reactions and adapt their everyday interventions.
• Art therapist : offers a creative space where the child can express emotions other than through words, thus promoting emotional regulation.

For the adolescent

During adolescence, physical, academic and relational changes are often accompanied by intense reactions: irritability, a search for autonomy, minor family conflicts or stress related to studies. These behaviors are generally normal adaptation difficulties, temporary and linked to this transition period.

When these reactions become more pronounced — prolonged withdrawal, repeated conflicts, risky behaviors, persistent anxiety or physical symptoms like migraines and sleep disturbances — we then speak of a troubled period. The difficulties stop being occasional and begin to affect family, school or social life.

If the disruption of functioning becomes established over time, the adolescent may develop an adjustment disorder or another behavioral disorder, diagnosed by a professional according to precise diagnostic criteria. In some cases, structured follow-up or even medical treatment may be recommended.

Whatever your adolescent’s needs, Familio professionals are there to support them and adapt to their reality at each stage, including:

• Psychoeducator : helps reinforce positive behaviors and develop adaptation strategies.
• Specialized educator : supports the adolescent in autonomy, learning and school integration.
• Psychosocial worker : offers active listening, helps identify available resources and supports during crises.

  Depending on the situation, additional follow-up with a psychologist or a social worker may also be recommended.

For the adult

In adults, adaptation difficulties often show up as work-related stress, temporary fatigue, temporary loss of motivation or worries related to a stressful event. These reactions are common and, in many cases, disappear when the situation stabilizes.

When symptoms become more persistent — constant anxiety, insomnia, loss of interest, relationship difficulties or recurrent physical pains — we then speak of a troubled period. Daily life is disrupted and personal balance progressively erodes.

If this disruption of functioning persists and prevents the person from functioning in their professional, family or social life, a professional may then diagnose a disorder: it may be an adjustment disorder, an anxiety disorder or another mental disorder. According to diagnostic criteria, an intervention plan will be proposed, which may include psychotherapy or, in some cases, medication prescribed by a physician.

Adults can be supported by various mental health and social services professionals, including among others:

• Social worker : helps navigate life transitions, manage stress and restore social functioning.
• Sexologist : supports intimate and affective relationships, often weakened by symptoms of an adjustment disorder.
• Occupational therapist : helps restore balance between different areas of life (work, home, leisure) and develop concrete strategies to better cope with disorder symptoms.

When is a diagnosis made?

Experiencing an adaptation difficulty or going through a troubled period does not automatically mean receiving a diagnosis. Disorders are only diagnosed when a mental health professional, using diagnostic criteria, observes a significant and lasting disruption of daily functioning.

In this context, the symptoms of adjustment disorder as well as the symptoms of behavioral disorders go beyond mere temporary discomfort: they become intense enough to disrupt school, work, family life or social relationships. Adjustment disorder can be diagnosed when a disproportionate reaction follows an identifiable stressor, while behavioral disorders manifest as persistent attitudes such as aggressiveness, impulsivity or withdrawal. In some cases, particularly with a severe disorder, it is necessary to consider a more structured care approach.

The professional’s role is to assess the situation as a whole — the context, intensity and duration of symptoms — to determine whether it is a difficult period or a true disorder. This distinction helps guide the diagnosis of adjustment disorder or a behavioral disorder, then to implement an appropriate intervention plan. Depending on needs, treatment for adjustment disorders or behavioral disorders may include various forms of therapy and, in some cases, medication.

Why consulting early makes a difference

A troubled period is not in itself a diagnosed disorder, but without support, its symptoms can intensify and increasingly disrupt daily activities — at school, at work, at home or in relationships. When this disruption of functioning sets in, the troubled period can then evolve into a recognized disorder, making the return to well-being longer and more difficult.

Consulting early therefore means acting before symptoms become too overwhelming and meet the diagnostic criteria for a disorder. It is also a way to preserve balance, limit the worsening of difficulties and prevent them from resulting in a severe disorder.

Early support provides access to concrete tools to better cope with stressors, reduce the impact of emotional or behavioral symptoms and regain more harmonious daily functioning.

What to do if you or a loved one are affected?

If you recognize yourself in these situations, the first step is not to stay alone with the difficulties. Talking to a trusted person, putting into words what is being experienced and acknowledging that the situation is difficult already constitute an important step.

It is then recommended to consult a professional to assess the situation and determine whether it is a troubled period or a diagnosed disorder. The intervention can be preventive — to avoid symptom worsening — or geared toward more structured follow-up if diagnostic criteria are met.

Resources are varied: depending on needs, this can involve meeting with a learning specialist, a psychoeducator, a social worker, a sexologist, an occupational therapist or psychotherapy. Each professional brings a different support perspective, but all aim for the same objective: to alleviate symptoms, strengthen coping abilities and promote a return to balance. Seeking help quickly gives you the possibility of regaining control before emotional and behavioral symptoms become too heavy to carry, and it also offers a loved one the chance to be supported with compassion and competence.Contact us today to make an appointment.

By

Kym Lefebvre Gamache

Adjustment disorders and behavioral disorders: understanding, recognizing and finding help

Association des art-thérapeutes du Québec. What is art therapy?
https://www.aatq.org/

Association des éducatrices et éducateurs spécialisés du Québec. Discovering the profession
https://aeesq.com/

Association des orthopédagogues du Québec. About orthopedagogy
https://adoq.ca/

CHU Sainte-Justine. Behavioral disorders in children
https://www.chusj.org/fr/soins-services/T/Troubles-du-comportement

Fédération des psychiatres du Québec. Adjustment disorder
https://www.fmsq.org/fr/publications

L’Appui pour les proches aidants. Adjustment disorder
https://www.lappui.org

Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec. What is occupational therapy?
https://www.oeq.org/m-informer/qu-est-ce-que-l-ergotherapie.html

Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec. Understanding psychoeducation
https://ordrepsed.qc.ca/

Ordre des psychologues du Québec. Find a psychologist
https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/

Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec. The profession of sexologist
https://opsq.org/Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec. Find help
https://www.otstcfq.org/

Resources

Aire ouverte. Youth clinics 12–25 years
https://jeunes.gouv.qc.ca/aire-ouverte

CAP Mental Health. Home
https://www.capsantementale.ca/

CENOP. Behavioral disorders
https://cenop.ca/troubles-comportement/troubles-de-comportements/

Quebec Crisis Centers. Directory
https://centredecrise.ca/

Info-Social 811. 24/7 psychosocial service
https://www.quebec.ca/sante/trouver-une-ressource/info-social-811

L’Appui pour les proches aidants. Adjustment disorder
https://www.lappui.org/

Ligne Parents (Tel-jeunes Parents). Parent support service
https://ligneparents.com/

Suicide.ca. Relationship problems
https://suicide.ca/fr/je-pense-au-suicide/situations-difficiles/problemes-relationnels

Tel-Aide. 24/7 listening line
https://www.telaide.org/Tel-Jeunes. 24/7 help service for young people
https://teljeunes.com/