Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment Disorder is an abnormal and excessive reaction to an identifiable life stressor. The reaction is more severe than would normally be expected, and can result in significant impairment in social, occupational or academic functioning.

The response may be linked to a single event (a flood or fire, marriage, divorce, starting school, new job) or multiple events (marital problems or severe business difficulties). Stressors may be recurrent events (child witnessing parents constantly fighting, chemotherapy, financial difficulties) or continuous (living in a crime-ridden neighborhood).

Adjustment Disorder often occurs with one or more of the following: depressed mood; anxiety, disturbance of conduct (in which the patient violates rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules), and maladaptive reactions (problems related to job or school, physical complaints, social isolation).

Adjustment disorders are associated with higher risk of suicide and suicidal behavior; substance abuse; prolonging of other medical disorders or interference with their treatment. Adjustment disorder that persists may progress to become a more serious mental disorder
Adjustment Disorder
causes

    Depressed mood
    Impaired occupational/social functioning
    Agitation
    Trembling or twitching
    Physical complaints (e.g. general aches and pains, stomachache, headache, chest pain)
    Palpitations
    Conduct disturbances (e.g. truancy, vandalism, reckless driving or fighting)
    Withdrawal
    Anxiety, worry, stress and tension
Symptoms may vary widely. The person may or may not be aware of the stressor causing the disturbance.

Diagnosis depends on the following:

    The reaction clearly follows a life stressor. Within three months of stressor onset, emotional and behavioral symptoms develop in response to stressor
    Symptoms seem excessive compared to what would normally be expected in relation to stressor and/or, symptoms significantly impair occupational, school or social functioning
    Symptoms are not explained by another diagnosis
    Symptoms are not part of bereavement
    Symptoms do not last longer than six months after end of stressor
    The diagnosis may be acute (symptoms last less than six months) or chronic (symptoms last six months or longer as when stressors are chronic or have lasting effects)