Adjustment disorder
05-10-2010
Adjustment disorder is an emotional and behavioral reaction that develops within 3 months of a life stress, and which is stronger or greater than what would be expected for the type of event that occurred.
Causes
Adults often develop adjustment disorder due to marital or financial problems.
In adolescents, common stressors include:
Symptoms
For a diagnosis of adjustment disorder, a person's symptoms must be severe enough to affect his or her work or social life. Some of the symptoms include:
On occasion, symptoms can be severe and the person may have thoughts of suicide or make a suicide attempt.
Exams and Tests
The following criteria need to be met to establish a diagnosis:
Treatment
The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and help the person return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occurred.
Individual therapy can help the person:
Outlook (Prognosis)
Adjustment disorders usually get better quickly without any remaining symptoms.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of adjustment disorder.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent this disorder. Strong support from friends and family can help.
References
Powell AD. Grief, Bereavement, and adjustment disorders. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 38.
Update Date: 2/14/2010
Updated by: Fred K. Berger, MD, Addiction and Forensic Psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Causes
Adults often develop adjustment disorder due to marital or financial problems.
In adolescents, common stressors include:
- Family conflict
- School problems
- ***uality issues
- Death of a loved one
- General life changes
- Unexpected catastrophes
- Coping strategies
- Intelligence
- Flexibility
- Genetic factors
- Social skills
Symptoms
For a diagnosis of adjustment disorder, a person's symptoms must be severe enough to affect his or her work or social life. Some of the symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Conduct disturbances
- Depressed mood
- Palpitations
- Physical complaints
- Trembling or twitching
On occasion, symptoms can be severe and the person may have thoughts of suicide or make a suicide attempt.
Exams and Tests
The following criteria need to be met to establish a diagnosis:
- The symptoms clearly follow a stressor
- The symptoms are more severe than would be expected
- There do not appear to be other underlying disorders
- The symptoms are not part of normal grieving for the death of a loved one
Treatment
The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and help the person return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occurred.
Individual therapy can help the person:
- Get support
- Identify his or her abnormal responses to the stressor
- Maximize the use of his or her strengths
- Behavior therapy
- Individual psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Self-help groups
- Anti-anxiety medicines
- Antidepressant medicines
- Antipsychotic medicines (rarely)
- Stimulants (for patients who are very withdrawn)
Outlook (Prognosis)
Adjustment disorders usually get better quickly without any remaining symptoms.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of adjustment disorder.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent this disorder. Strong support from friends and family can help.
References
Powell AD. Grief, Bereavement, and adjustment disorders. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 38.
Update Date: 2/14/2010
Updated by: Fred K. Berger, MD, Addiction and Forensic Psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
