1. Adjustment Disorders
Maladaptive reactions to psychosocial stressors occurring within the past 3 months
Not do to another mental disorder
Described as relatively benign, transient, but maladaptive situational reactions

2. Adjustment Disorders-DSM
Development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to identifiable stressor within 3 months of stressor
Clinically significant symptoms
Marked distress
Significant role impairment
Symptoms do not represent Bereavement
Symptoms do not persist for > 6 months*

3. AD Presentations Generalized-disruption of mood or conduct Specific
Depression (with SI)
Anxiety
Mixed
Be careful NOT to neglect a MDD diagnosis if these symptoms are present

4. AD Clinical Course 59-71% of adults make strong recovery
Only 44% of adolescents recover to the same level (less resources-vocational & $).
Other predictors of poor outcome were chronicity, frequency of misconduct symptoms and number of stressors
Depressive symptoms did not predict
Dx. in 5% of inpatients and 20% of outpatients; Dx 3 times more in adolescents

5. AD Treatment To treat or not to treat? NOT to treat
Waste time, $, and effort for remitting prob.
Foster therapy dependency
Worsen problem
Why TO treat (following crisis intervention)
Stabilize, minimize adversity, hasten recovery
Capitalize on turmoil to change long-standing maladaptive patterns to more satisfying ones