Adjustment Disorder Treatment Center Serving El Paso, Texas

Treatment for adjustment disorder at Rio Vista Behavioral Health in El Paso, TX 

Adjustment disorder is a type of trauma- or stressor-related mental health disorder. Adjustment disorders are often a result of traumatic, stressful, or life-altering events, where the sufferer is unable to adjust to life changes. Such life changes may include a career change; a death in the family; a physical injury; a loss of a hobby, activity, or routine; a relationship breakup; a new marriage; or retirement. Those with adjustment disorder often display an inability to healthily respond to life changes, and/or a rigid desire to repeat history. People who suffer from adjustment disorder often express the wish to go back to “the way things were.” Those with adjustment disorder often exhibit symptoms of anxiety and nervousness, separation anxiety and attachment issues, panic, depression, and/or the inability to complete daily activities in school, work, relationships, or hobbies.  

At Rio Vista Behavioral Health in El Paso, Texas, effective treatment for adjustment disorder is available. Rio Vista Behavioral Health is an 80-bed inpatient treatment center for adolescents (ages 11-17) and adults (age 18 and older). In treatment at Rio Vista Behavioral Heath, patients are taught the necessary coping skills, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and other vital resources for coping with and treating adjustment disorder. Freedom is possible for those who struggle to adjust, as patients learn how to healthily mourn what was and welcome what will be.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for adjustment disorder

Watching a loved one suffer from adjustment disorder can be both discouraging and frustrating. Those without adjustment disorder may experience difficulty empathizing with those who do suffer from this mental illness, as they struggle to understand why their loved one can’t just “move on” from an event. While this is understandable, it is important to remember that everyone responds to events in different ways. Friends and family members can be sources of support for their loved ones by encouraging treatment. Please consider the following while helping your loved one get the most out of their treatment for adjustment disorder: 

• Educate yourself on adjustment disorder. Visit trusted mental health websites. Go to the library and read all you can about this disorder. Research the best psychiatrists, therapists, and treatment centers. Listen to trusted mental health podcasts and read reputable medical blogs. You’ll find that the more you know, the more you’ll respond to your loved one’s suffering in an understanding and empathetic way. 
• Acknowledge their suffering. Even if you can respond to a life change or event in a flexible manner, recognize that your loved one is unable to adjust right now. Acknowledge that their suffering is real, and that their response to a life event is just as valid as your own. Use gestures and words that reveal that you acknowledge your loved one’s pain, such as nodding your head, looking them in the eye, asking them engaging questions, repeating their answers back to them to display your understanding, and utilizing appropriate and comforting physical touch.  
• Encourage your loved one to seek treatment. After you listen and show that you understand their suffering, perhaps you should recommend that your loved one seek treatment if their symptoms persist. The timing of this is key — don’t do it before you’ve listened to them, but do it when they are most receptive to listening. The method of communication is also important — don’t command them to go and find treatment; rather, suggest it in the form of a soft question or idea. Use nonjudgmental language as you point out the benefits of seeking outside help. 
• Remind your loved one that you love them. While this may seem obvious, those who are suffering from adjustment disorder may need an extra reminder that they are loved despite their pain. Remind them that their grief, loss, or life change is valid, and that you love them in whichever way they respond to their life events.

Benefits of getting adjustment disorder treatment at Rio Vista Behavioral Health in El Paso, TX

You may be confused as to why someone who has trouble adapting to change would need treatment. But adjustment disorder is a heightened and intense reaction to life change that surpasses ordinary adjustment periods. Those with adjustment disorder will exhibit symptoms within three months of the triggered event and will exceed that of the “typical” projected time of adjustment for the life change. It is important that loved ones note both the severity and duration of the potential patient’s response to change, as these factors will influence the necessity for their treatment.  

Although adjustment disorder is triggered by a life event, it steals life away from its sufferers. Physiological symptoms of adjustment disorder, such as shakiness, intense tears, disturbing words, and impulsive behaviors, often prevent those with the disorder from getting work done, enjoying their current relationships, and being present in the moment. The psychological symptoms of the disorder, which include a racing mind, obsessive thoughts, and rumination over past events, also prove challenging in completing everyday tasks. Because of their trauma or stressful life event, those with adjustment disorder may be unable to manage their life, as their grief or inflexibility may prevent them from functioning. The urge to repeat or rewrite history (that surpasses normal nostalgia) is one of the fundamental and most challenging symptoms of adjustment disorder, and may be a critical reason why someone seeks treatment. 

When patients receive treatment at Rio Vista Behavioral Health, they achieve the necessary tools to thrive in life again. In treatment, patients will gain the skills needed to cope with and adapt to life events. They will be empowered to respond rather than react to what happens to them. Through an array of customizable treatment options and therapy programs at Rio Vista Behavioral Health, patients will learn how to respond in a healthy manner to crises and adjust to life events. And most of all, those who undergo treatment for adjustment disorder can enjoy life again with all its variations and changes — all in the present moment.

Learn about the therapies used in the treatment of adjustment disorder at Rio Vista Behavioral Health in El Paso, TX 

Located on the west side of El Paso, Texas, Rio Vista Behavioral Health is an inpatient psychiatric hospital that specializes in providing treatment for individuals age 11 and older who are suffering from adjustment disorder or other types of mental health concerns.  

Our new state-of-the-art hospital offers a fresh, comfortable therapeutic environment that places an emphasis on patient safety. All of the units in our adjustment disorder treatment center have access to fully landscaped outdoor courtyards that offer breathtaking views of the Franklin Mountains. We also have a large gymnasium and numerous activity areas that allow for therapeutic recreation and a break from the traditional forms of talk therapy.  

At our adjustment disorder treatment center, we believe in the importance of patient-centered care. We tailor each individual’s treatment plan to meet their specific needs in a way that works best for them. We believe that recovery is not only possible, but expected. The staff members at our adjustment disorder treatment center in El Paso, Texas, take pride in delivering the highest quality of care in the region. Through comprehensive treatment and support, each patient discovers their strengths and resiliency and leaves our adjustment disorder treatment center equipped with the skills they need to be successful on their journey to complete recovery. 

Our adjustment disorder treatment center is divided into four coed units, each of which offers tailored care for a specified population. These units include a general adult unit and a psychiatric intensive care unit for patients age 18 and older, an adolescent unit for patients ages 11-17, and a specialty unit for geriatric patients and patients with coexisting medical conditions. Please note that there is not an established age range for the specialty unit. Instead, we determine admission into this unit based on the diagnosis and the capabilities of the patient. 

At our adjustment disorder treatment center, patients have access to the following interventions and services, depending on their needs: 

Medical care: For patients who are suffering from coexisting medical conditions, our adjustment disorder treatment center offers basic medical care. The services we provide include continuation of medications for chronic illnesses, insulin and glucose monitoring for patients with diabetes, and minor wound care. We do not provide medical equipment, but if a patient has a CPAP machine, they may bring it with them and use it during their time in treatment. We do not offer IV or oxygen therapy, nor do we provide care for indwelling catheters or wound vacs. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants provide all of our medical services. 

Medication management services: Patients meet with a psychiatrist within 24 hours of admission into our adjustment disorder treatment center. Patients who are on medication or will be starting on medication meet with the psychiatrist daily throughout their stay. Psychiatrist visits are also available on an as-needed basis at our adjustment disorder treatment center. 

Group therapy: Group therapy is at the core of the care we provide at our adjustment disorder treatment center. Licensed clinical social workers and therapists lead group therapy sessions, where patients can learn about mental illness, including adjustment disorder, and discover ways to cope with and manage their symptoms. Group sessions also give patients the opportunity to connect with others who may be experiencing similar circumstances. Patients participate in five to six structured groups per day, seven days a week. These groups include discussions on things such as mindfulness, coping with grief/loss, and healing from the effects of trauma. 

Individual therapy: At our adjustment disorder treatment center, licensed clinical social workers and therapists provide individual therapy sessions for patients when needed. These sessions offer a safe, confidential space in which patients can discuss any concerns they have or issues they are struggling with that they may not feel comfortable sharing in a group setting. 

Family therapy: We also offer family therapy on an as-needed basis at our adjustment disorder treatment center. Licensed clinical therapists and social workers run these sessions, which give family members the opportunity to learn more about ways they can help their loved one both during and after their time in treatment for adjustment disorder. These sessions can also serve to unify families and strengthen their bonds with one another.   

Evidence-based treatment modalities: In order to ensure that patients at our adjustment disorder treatment center receive innovative, holistic care, we use an integrated approach that offers a broader spectrum of therapeutic interventions that have proven to lead to more successful treatment outcomes. Examples of the evidence-based treatment modalities we use at our adjustment disorder treatment center include the following: 

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 
• Recreational therapy 
• Art therapy 

Continuing care options for adjustment disorder treatment

Inpatient care at our adjustment disorder treatment center is only the first step in achieving long-term healing. For this reason, we arm our patients with the tools and skills they need to be successful after they leave our inpatient hospital. Discharge planning begins at the time of admission, and our staff adjusts those plans appropriately based on the patient’s progress during treatment. 

When a patient is preparing for discharge, we provide them with referrals for continuing care with outpatient providers. If a patient would benefit from a progressive step-down plan, we may refer them to a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). All continuing care decisions are made in discussion with the patient, ensuring that we take into account what they want their ongoing support to look like. 

If you believe that you or a loved one could benefit from the care we offer at our adjustment disorder treatment center, please contact us at your earliest convenience.