Grand Rapids is Michigan’s second-largest city with world-class attractions. From upscale dining to year-round gardens, the city impresses thousands of visitors each year with its variety of attractions. For the last decade, the Grand Rapids area has witnessed high economic growth along with many people moving to West Michigan for job opportunities.
One of the best features of Grand Rapids, is that while it has many amenities that a large city offers, it is known for a “small-town feel.” For those who live in the Grand Rapids area, the city offers a tight-knit culture. Many residents of Grand Rapids are people who grew up here and have connections to social groups, churches, activities, businesses, and schools. Many people who are new to the area may find it difficult to “break-in” to very established community groups.
Are you new to the Grand Rapids area and having a hard time adjusting? Many Grand Rapids transplants can face difficulties knowing where to fit in. Unlike those moving to the area for the college experience, some adults may struggle to find social activities that fit their needs. Without the right resources, you could be more susceptible to depression or adjustment disorder.
Adjustment disorder is used to describe individuals who are having trouble coping with life events such as:
- Ending of a relationship or marriage
- Losing or changing job
- Death of a loved one
- Developing a serious illness (yourself or a loved one)
- Being a victim of a crime
- Having an accident
- Undergoing a major life change (such as getting married, having a baby, or retiring from a job)
- Living through a disaster, such as a fire, flood, or hurricane
Some symptoms to look out for include:
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Sadness
- Frequent crying
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Headaches or stomach aches
- Palpitations
- Withdrawal or isolation from people and social activities
- A new pattern of absence from work or school
- New and uncharacteristic dangerous or destructive behavior such as fighting, reckless driving, and vandalism
- Changes in appetite, either loss of appetite or overeating
- Problems sleeping
- Feeling tired or without energy
- Increase in the use of alcohol or other drugs
If you have experienced any of these symptoms and feel that they are interfering with your daily life, there is help out there. Please check with your primary care physician first to make sure the symptoms are not physical in nature. After that, Counseling may be a good fit for you.
If you are new to Grand Rapids, Health for Life understands what you are going through! Approximately 75% of our clinicians did not grow up in Grand Rapids, so we know how stressful it can be to move to Grand Rapids as an adult. Each counselor at Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids has advanced training to help you, and we will customize our approach to meet each person that seeks services with us. You can also call 616-200-4433 to set up a complimentary phone call to find out if counseling is right for you.
Reference:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-adjustment-disorder#1
