Adjustment disorder
Adjustment disorder is a maladaptive response to a psychosocial stressor. It is classified as a mental disorder. The maladaptive response usually involves otherwise normal emotional and behavioral reactions that manifest more intensely than usual (considering contextual and cultural factors), causing marked distress, preoccupation with the stressor and its consequences, and functional impairment.
| Adjustment disorder | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology |
| Complications | Suicide; Progression to more serious psychiatric disorders, e.g., PTSD or major depressive disorder |
| Usual onset | Theoretically, within one to three months after a stressful event |
| Duration | Theoretically, up to six months unless the stressor or its consequences continue |
| Types | Mild, moderate, severe |
| Risk factors | History of mental disorder; low social support |
| Differential diagnosis | Rule out PTSD, depressive disorders, & anxiety disorders |
| Treatment | Psychotherapy; bibliotherapy; structured paraprofessional help |
| Prognosis | Relatively good compared to many other mental disorders, but severity varies |
Diagnosis of adjustment disorder is common. Lifetime prevalence estimates for adults range from five percent to 21%. Adult women are diagnosed twice as often as men. Among children and adolescents, girls and boys are equally likely to be diagnosed with an adjustment disorder.
Adjustment disorder was introduced into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980 (DSM-III).
Other names for adjustment disorder are stress response syndrome (new name as of 2013) and situational depression since it is one of the most common symptoms.