Introduction

Welcome everyone

University students experience a lot of stress. There[Contact us at Center for Health Sciences and Counseling]

are many students who are trying to manage on their○Mon. – Fri. 9:00-17:00

own but reach a point where they no longer know what
to do and wonder if they have any mental disorder.
Under such a circumstance, the campus life and healthsupport center offer consultations with physicians andcounsellors, and make referrals for mental healthconsultations.
H o w e v e r, s o m e s t u d e n t s m a y h e s i t a t e s u c hconsultations because they are nervous about thepossible questions they would be asked, or because
they do not know how to explain their problems.
Therefore, we have summarized some common mental
and physical issues that students experience. If you
find anything that fits what you or your friends areexperiencing, please contact the campus life andhealth support center. You may not be experiencing
any of these conditions today, but it would be good toknow. Please take your time and read this pamphlet.

○http://www.chc.kyusyu-u.ac.jp/Center for Health Sciences and Counseling(2nd floor, Big Sand) 092-802-5881
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Center Zone, Ito Campus
Ito Center Zone (1st floor, Center Zone 1) 092-802-5859
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Ito Campus West Zone
Ito West Zone (3 rd floor, West Zone 3) 092-802-3297

SelfcareFor students

Mental and physical health 5

Adjustment disorder

Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Hospital Campus(1st floor, Building of Administrative
Offices of Research and Education) 092-642-6889
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Chikushi Campus(old health science center) 092-583-7685
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,Ohashi Campus(2nd floor, Design Commons) 092-553-4581

Selfcare series for students[Student life][Mental and physical health]

1. Student counseling Q & A

1. Sleep disorder

2. How to make small talk

2. Headache

3. How to take tests andmake presentations

3. Anemia

4. How to not procrastinate
5. How to get over failures
6. How to deal with parents
during adolescent year

4. Intestinal issues
5. Adjustment disorder
6. Anxiety disorder andpanic disorder

7. How to control anger

7. Cause ofdepression

8. Transfer students

8. Symptoms of depression

9. How to manage yourschedule

9. Autonomic nerves andautogenic training

This pamphlet summarizes the information necessary for you

10. Friendship at the university

10.Relaxationencounter. Please refer to this pamphlet as needed.

11. Quit the university?

11. Health issues associatedwith smoking

12. For students that plan
to study abroad

12. Infectious diseases

Source: Center for Health Sciences and Counseling, Kyushu University.
Illustration by Chiyo Inoue※Copyright Center for Health Sciences and Counseling, Kyushu University.

to manage the mental and physic al problems you mayKyushu University
Center for Health Sciences and CounselingAdjustment disorder
Adjustment disorder is a state of maladjustment caused by andemands. To find mental stability, these two efforts must be

Abnormal behavior

excessive psychological reaction to a major change in themade in a good balance to find a good compromise.

One may act selfish, in a manner that is burdensome,living conditions or environment. The symptoms include strong

overbearing, or aggressive to others. One may take absence

emotional reactions such as anxiety and depression andHowever, if the emotions experienced by conflict in thiswithout notice or act disorderly. These are all problematic.

behavioral abnormality.

process are too intense, or if there is a problematic behavior, it

Even if the behavior is not this problematic, some may avoid

could interfere with daily life and might need to be treated as adifficult situations or become socially withdrawn.

1. What is adjustment?

disease.
OthersAdjustment means to change the lifestyle habits and mental
state so that one can live normally in a new situation caused bySome may experience insomnia or physical un-wellness.

2. Symptoms of adjustment disorderchanges in living environment, relationships, and rhythm. If
there is an incident, there must be an appropriate response. If

Symptoms of adjustment disorder mainly include emotional

the situation changes as a result, one must adapt.

changes and behavioral abnormalities.

In a new situation, if there is a conflict between “demands fromFrustration

the surrounding environment” and “demands from oneself,” aEveryone feels frustrated when they feel pressured to adjust tomental conflict is created.

a new environment quickly and solve problems. If one feels too
rushed and frustrated, it becomes harder to complete tasks,

Demands from the environment are born in a new environment

leading to more frustration and delayed adjustment. One may

or a situation where regulations and rules, lifestyle and rhythm,

take it out on people due to frustration. Some might hurtcustoms and culture, or climate would be different. As they

themselves (self-harming behavior).

say, “when in Rome…”, if one cannot avoid the demands, onemust accept them. However, we have principles, beliefs, andAnxiety

unconscious habits, which are very difficult to change.

One may worry more than necessary, or become nervous
about many things, increasing anxiety. Anxiety itself is a

3. Course and treatment of adjustment disorder
Onset of symptoms
The symptoms typically appear one to two months after thechange in lifestyle. A rapid change causes a relatively fast
onset of symptoms, which may be immediately following thechange of within several days.
Disappearance of symptoms
If causes for the onset disappear, the symptoms may decreaseor disappear. However, depending on one’s personality andvalues, improvement may be delayed. It is easy to imagine thatthe symptoms do not improve easily if the causes continue toexist. Many people make compromises to find a balance. If
there is no improvement and the symptoms become worse, it
could lead to severe conditions such as depression andanxiety disorder.

On the other hand, individually, there are some who arenatural emotion caused when the future is unknown. However,sensitive to surrounding incidents and changes, while others

when it becomes too intense, one will panic, and being unable

Treatment

are not. Some will easily change their thinking and behavior

to adjust as effective actions become impossible. Whenaccording to the surrounding environment, while others

anxiety becomes extreme, some may experience fear asstruggle. Some will prioritize their own sensibility other than theintense as death.

If the symptoms are severe, treatment becomes necessary.
The treatment usually includes counseling or drugs. There aredifferent approaches for counseling. It may be a direct
approach, in which the situation is analyzed and direct
measure against the conflict is examined. Alternatively, it may
be acknowledgement of one’s personality, where changes are
made accordingly. Drugs are usually used to lessen anxiety or
depressive mood, so that one can adjust to the situation moreeasily.

external order. Such individuality based on the internal demand
has an impact on adaptation to new environments andDepressed moodincidents.

One will start feeling depressed when they are disappointed
with their situations or regret when things start to fall apart. IfTo solve the conflict, one’s demand must be changed, ordemands of the environment must be changed to meet one’s

one feels hopeless, they lose motivation.

Atsushi ICHIMIYA, March 2016