**7.3 Management of adjustment disorders**

Psychotherapy is the main stay of treatment. The focus will be on spending enough time with the caregiver and listening to his/her concerns and fears. Thereafter, focus will shift to addressing these concerns, help them find solutions to problems that are reversible. There will be need to resolve conflicts. For example, there may be ongoing conflict due to collusion, the patient may not be aware of

the diagnosis or the prognosis. The caregiver, the patient and the medical team are bound to face conflict at multiple points of time in the management of cancer of this patient. Addressing the issues around collusion in this case will reduce distress in the caregiver. It is important to make an effort to improve communication between patient, caregiver and the medical team. The practical family issues and social issues like taboo and isolation need to be addressed to improve distress. There are formal approaches to manage adjustment disorders like- cognitive behavior therapy and problem solving therapy.
