Adjustment disorder
| Adjustment disorder | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Stress response syndrome |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology |
| Symptoms | Anxiety, depression, and behavioral disturbances associated with a psychological stressor |
| Complications | Suicide; substance abuse, progression to more serious psychiatric disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder) |
| Usual onset | Within one to three months after a stressful event |
| Duration | Up to six months unless the stressor or its consequences continue |
| Types | Mild, moderate, severe |
| Risk factors | History of mental disorders; low social support |
| Differential diagnosis | Post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders |
| Treatment | Psychotherapy; bibliotherapy; structured paraprofessional help |
| Prognosis | Relatively good compared to many other mental disorders, but severity varies |
Adjustment disorder is a mental and behavioral disorder defined by a maladaptive response to a psychosocial stressor. 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.
Diagnosis of adjustment disorder is common, with lifetime prevalence estimates for adults ranging from 5 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, Third Edition (DSM-III) in 1980.
Another name for adjustment disorder is stress response syndrome, as well as situational depression, since depression is one of the most common symptoms.