Adjustment Disorders
Key points
- According to DSM-IV; adjustment disorders are symptoms (changes in emotional state or behaviors) that arise in response to an identified psychosocial stressor that is out of proportion to what is expected in usual human experience.
- Adjustment disorder is not diagnosed if the symptoms occurred in response to a psychosocial stressor so severe that an individual meets criteria for another axis I disorder (e.g., major depression).
- Symptoms in response to bereavement do not meet criteria for the diagnosis of adjust ment disorder.
- Adjustment disorders occur within 3 months of the identified stressor and usually resolve within 6 months, unless the stressor becomes chronic.
According to DSM-IV; adjustment disorders are symptoms (changes in emotional state or behaviors) that arise in response to an identified psychosocial stressor that is out of proportion to what is expected in usual human experience.
Adjustment disorder is not diagnosed if the symptoms occurred in response to a psychosocial stressor so severe that an individual meets criteria for another axis I disorder (e.g., major depression). Symptoms in response to bereavement do not meet criteria for the diagnosis of adjust
ment disorder. Adjustment disorders occur within 3 months of the identified stressor and usually resolve within 6 months, unless the stressor becomes chronic.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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