Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment disorder is characterized by a psychological response to an identifiable stressor or stressors that result in clinically significant distress or functional impairment.

It is a diagnostic category characterized by an emotional response to a stressful event.

Though this diagnosis is common, it validity has been questioned and research is lacking.

Adjustment disorder was initially conceptualized as a transient personality disorder.

The symptom complex that develops may involve anxious or depressive affect or may present with disturbance or conduct.

It must develop within three months, after the onset of the stressor.

The clinical presentations of adjustment disorder can vary widely:
*Adjustment disorder with depressed mood.
*Adjustment disorder with anxiety.
*Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.
*Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct
*Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct.
*Adjustment disorder unspecified.
Adjustment Disorder