Adjustment disorders

Question 1

Who does it affect?

Answer 1

-Most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents

Question 2

What causes adjustment disorders?

Answer 2

-No single direct cause
-Reaction to a stressful event that is considered unhealthy or excessive within 3 months of it happening
-Coping mechanisms fail to ameliorate stress effectively

Question 3

What risk factors are there for adjustment disorders?

Answer 3

-Being a child / adolescent
-Different cultures lead to different signs

Question 4

How do adjustment disorders present?

Answer 4

-Reaction significant interferes with social, occupational or education functioning
-Can present with:
–Depressed mood
–Anxiety
–Anxiety and depressed mood
–Disturbance of conduct (ass. with truancy, destruction of property, violence)
–Disturbance of emotions and conduct (combo of all of the above)
–Unspecified

Question 5

How would you investigate someone with adjustment disorder?

Answer 5

-Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
-Personal history of development, life events, emotions, behaviours
-Parents present if possible

Question 6

What treatment would you consider for someone with adjustment disorder?

Answer 6

-CBT to help with communication and problem-solving skills, impulse control, anger and stress management skills
-Family therapy
-Peer group therapy
-Limited evidence for efficacy of pharmacological therapy