Adjustment disorders refer to a psychological condition in which a person experiences emotional or behavioural symptomatology as a response to a stressful event.
They are often caused by factors such as work-related stress, the loss of a loved one, a health issue or a significant change in that person's life.
The cause of adjustment disorders can be related to factors such as work related stress, the loss of a loved one, a medical condition or a significant change in a person's life.
Symptoms can vary from one person to another, but the most common symptomatology is anxiety, sadness, irritability, changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating and appetite changes.
Adjustment disorders are diagnosed through a psychological evaluation in which the person's history, symptoms and impact on their daily functioning are taken into account. It is important to rule out other psychiatrical disorders like depression or generalised anxiety disorder, which symptoms can be similar.
Treatment is focused on treating the symptoms and helping the person adapt to stressful events through psychotherapy. In more severe cases, complementary medicine might be needed.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), Washington, DC 2022.
- Carta, M.G., Balestrieri, M., Murru, A. et al. Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 5, 15 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
- O’Donnell ML, Agathos JA, Metcalf O, Gibson K, Lau W. Adjustment Disorder: Current Developments and Future Directions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(14):2537.
