Life Transitions

What is a Life Transition?

As you go through life you are guaranteed to experience many different changes, these changes are known as life transitions. A life transition is any extreme change that occurs in your life; the change may be expected or it may come to you as a complete surprise. Life transitions may also be positive or they may be negative. Some examples of life transitions are changes in relationship status, switching schools, moving, getting a new job, the birth of a new child, or the loss of a loved one. Whether the life transition is considered positive or negative, all life transitions have one thing in common, which is that life transitions produce stress. Stress is common because life transitions usually involve experiencing something that you have never experienced before. It is common to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and confused among many other emotions as you go through these life transitions.

Treatment for Life Transitions

There are many reasons that psychotherapy can be beneficial for anyone experiencing a life transition. One reason is that when experiencing the magnitude of emotions that come from your life transitions, it may be difficult to recognize, express, and navigate through them on your own. Therapists, Counselors, Psychotherapists, and Psychologists at each of our locations can help you learn to cope with the stress and other negative emotions you may be feeling. Psychotherapy may also be helpful in allowing you to explore your life transition in a way that provides you with a new outlook, by viewing the transition as providing new opportunities and chances for you to grow. Going through a life transition alone can be extremely hard and having a support system can be very valuable. If you do not feel that you have the support that you need to endure your life transition then you can find that support by talking to a professional. Even those who do have a support system can still benefit from psychotherapy, because of the open, free, and safe atmosphere it provides as you experience many different emotions and reactions to your life transition.

Adjustment Disorder

In some cases a diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder may be given to someone who is experiencing a life transition. An Adjustment Disorder is when an individual has either emotional or behavioral symptoms after experiencing one or more psychosocial stressors. The symptoms must be present within three months after experiencing the stressor, and they must remit within six months of the stressor or its consequences ending. Individuals with an adjustment disorder may experience a depressed mood, anxiety, a disturbance in their conduct, or a disturbance of their emotions. Having an Adjustment Disorder simply means that there has been a transition in your life and you are having to cope with the changes. Professionals at Sollars and Associates can offer different coping strategies to help you adjust to the new aspect of your life in a positive and healthy way.

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