A life transition is any change or adjustment that impacts your life. We all experience life transitions.

Some transitions feel like positive change, like starting your dream job or a new romantic relationship that feels right. Other life transitions might feel stressful or depressing, like the death of a loved one, being fired from a job, or a break up. Still other might include mixed feelings, like having a child or retiring where you could feel excitement but the amount of change involved could lead to distress, anxiety, or depression.

When things change around us and we have to change, we might feel out of control, angry or resentful, anxious, depressed, or a host of other feelings.

An adjustment disorder can occur when a life stressor disrupts your typical functioning. The adjustment disorder often develops within three months of the transition and might include depressed mood, no longer feeling interested in activities you used to enjoy, anxiety, appetite changes, feeling overwhelmed, and/or problems with sleep.