[20] Adjustment Disorders Flashcards
What are adjustment disorders?
Adjustment disorders are stress related conditions, where a patient experiences more stress than would normally be expected in response to a stressful or unexpected event, and the stress causes significant problems with social functioning.
What causes adjustment disorders?
Stressful life events, both positive and negative, may cause an adjustment disorder
Give some examples of stressful life events that might cause an adjustment disorder
- Divorce or marital problems
- Relationship or interpersonal problems
- Changes in situation, such as retirement, having a baby, or changing school
- Loss of job
- Loss of loved one
- Ongoing stressors, such as medical illness
How are previous life events important in the aetiology of adjustment disorders? af
They affect how a person deals with stress, and some may increase the risk of development of an adjustment disorder
What previous life events may increase the risk of the development of an adjustment disorder?
- Significant stress experienced in childhood
- Other mental health problems
- A number of difficult life circumstances
What are the symptoms of adjustment disorders?
Symptoms are variable, but can be of the types found within affective disorders or neurotic disorders (but not severe enough to be classified as a specific psychiatric disorder). Examples include;
- Low mood
- Anhedonia
- Frequent crying
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty functioning in daily activities
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
Describe the timeline of symptoms of adjustment disorders
Symptoms start within a month of the stressful event, and last no longer than 6 months after the event
How are adjustment disorders investigated?
What is the main goal of treatment of adjustment disorders?
To relieve symptoms and help the patient return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occured
What is the mainstay treatment of adjustment disorder?
CBT
Other than CBT, what treatment options are available in adjustment disorders?
- Long-term therapy
- Family therapy
- Self-help groups
- Medications
What medications are used in adjustment disorder?
- Anxiolytic medications
- Sleeping tablets (hypnotics)
- Antidepressants
Describe the use of medication in adjustment disorders
They are only used alongside talking therapies
What are the groups of hypnotics?
- Benzodiazepines
- Nonbenzodiazepines
Give 3 examples of benzodiazepine hypnotics
- Temazepam
- Lormatezepam
- Nitrazepam
