Adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorder
Specialty	Psychiatry, clinical psychology
Complications	Suicide;[1] Progression to more serious psychiatric disorders, e.g., PTSD or major depressive disorder
Usual onset	Theoretically, within one to three months after a stressful event
Duration	Theoretically, up to six months unless the stressor or its consequences continue
Types	Mild, moderate, severe
Risk factors	History of mental disorder; low social support
Differential diagnosis	Rule out PTSD, depressive 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 maladaptive response to a psychosocial stressor. It is classified as a mental disorder.^[2] 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.^[3][4][5][6]

Diagnosis of adjustment disorder is common. Lifetime prevalence estimates for adults range from five percent to 21%.^[7] 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.^[8]

Adjustment disorder was introduced into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980 (DSM-III).^[9][10]

Other names for adjustment disorder are stress response syndrome (new name as of 2013) and situational depression since it is one of the most common symptoms.^[11]