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Adjustment Disorder

Elizabeth M Hoy, MS, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Adjustment disorders (AD) are emotional/behavioral symptoms due to an identifiable stressor(s) and occurring within 3 months of onset of stressor expressed as various types, such as ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

DSM-5 has specific criteria; in general symptoms occur within 3 months after onset of a stressor and does not persist for more than an additional 6 months once the stressor or its con...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treatment for AD is under investigation, although brief psychological interventions are preferred.

  • Symptoms resolve after resolution of stressor(s) and its consequences.

MEDICATION

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

Coping skills for life stressors 

PROGNOSIS

Short term: improvement within 6 months of elimination of stressor and consequences 

COMPLICATIONS

  • Increase risk of attempts and c...

REFERENCES

1
Carta  MG, Balestrieri  M, Murru  A, et al. Adjustment disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. ...

CODES

ICD10

  • F43.20 Adjustment disorder, unspecified

  • F43.21 Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

  • F43.22 Adjustment disorder with anxiety

  • F43.24 Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct

  • F43.23 Adju...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • A short-term disorder: occurs within 3 months of a stressor(s) and should resolve within 6 additional months from termination of stressor(s) or consequences of stressor(s)

  • Suicide risk ...

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