Adjustment Disorder
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Introduction
Adjustment Disorder is the development of emotional or behavioural symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor, occurring within 3 months of stress onset.
Prevalence is equal between males and females.
The Case of...
a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.
Causes and Risk Factors
Stressors can be of many types:
- single: termination of a relationship
- multiple: marked business failure and marraige difficulties
- recurrent: seasonal business crisis
- continuous: living in a bad neighbourhood
- developmental: starting school, moving from home, marraige, parenting, failure to attain occupational goals, retirement
Pathophysiology
Signs and Symptoms
- history
- physical exam
History
Symptoms of adjustment disorder are clinically significant, as evidenced by one of the following:
- marked distress in excess of what would normally be expected
- significant impairment on social or occupational functioning
Symptoms do not represent bereavement.
Adjustment disorder subtypes include:
- depressed mood
- anxiety
- mixed anxiety and depressed mood
- disturbance in conduct
- mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct
- unspecified
Physical Exam
Investigations
- lab investigations
- diagnostic imaging
Lab Investigations
Diagnostic Imaging
Differential Diagnosis
Treatments
Crisis intervention, or brief psychotherapy, can be used,
Medications include SSRIs for depression and anxiety, or benzodiazepines.
Consequences and Course
Resources and References
Topic Development
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