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Directions for developing a Family Contract

Grief And Loss

Children Who Can't Pay Attention

The Emotional Impact of Divorce

Throughout history humans have dealt with adversity and challenge. There is no reason to think that this will change any time soon. We individually possess different degrees of coping skills. If we are lucky, we are born into a family that provides nurturance and guidance, modeling a rich and varied set of coping skills that allow us to learn how to effectively negotiate our way through the complexities of our existence.

Unfortunately, not everyone is this blessed, and often people enter adulthood with few skills at adaptation and poor self-esteem because they never really received the proper modeling or support they would need to grow up feeling good about themselves.

Sometimes, when confronted with real-life challenges and obstacles, people can develop symptoms of an Adjustment Disorder.

Precipitating factors could include but are not limited to the following:

1. Divorce or termination of a romantic relationship

2. Decline in economic status {bankruptcy}

3. Physical/sexual/emotional abuse {can also lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder}

4. Change of jobs

5. Retirement

6. Marital discord

7. Empty nest syndrome

8. Declining health

9. A natural disaster

10. Blending of two families

Symptoms can be mild to severe, emotional and/or behavioral, and often interfere with social or occupational {academic} functioning. Onset occurs within 3 months of the stressor, and usually resolve within 6 months except when in response to a chronic stressor. Subtypes of Adjustment Disorders with their concomitant symptoms include:

- Depressed Mood: Decline in mood, tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness.

- With Anxiety: Nervousness, worry, jitteriness, or with children fears of separation from significant others.

- Mixed anxiety and Depressed Mood: Both depression and anxiety.
Disturbance of Conduct: Violation of the rights of others, legal problems, fighting, vandalism.

- Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct; Disturbance of both emotions and conduct.

- Unspecified: Physical complaints, social withdrawal, maladaptive reactions. The therapists and Psychiatrist at Riverview Psychiatric and Counseling Service have appointments available for you or your loved ones for this or any other psychological problems you may be experiencing. Give us a call at 577-0266 with any questions you may have. May your future be bright and satisfying!

By Rich Dillman, M.A.