A mental disorder in which emotional or behavioral symptoms develop in response to an identifiable stressor. The symptoms, which may include anxiety, depressed mood, and disturbance of conduct (or a combination of these symptoms), are clinically significant in that the distress exceeds what would be expected under the circumstances, or significant impairment in social or occupational functioning is produced. Duration of symptoms tends to be self-limited, not persisting more than 6 months after termination of the stressor or its consequences. Sometimes the disorder is designated as “acute” if duration is less than 6 months and as “chronic” if symptoms last for 6 months or longer.
A DSM-III-R category for mal-adaptive reactions to identifiable life events or circumstances. The symptoms generally lessen as the stress diminishes or as the person adapts to the stress.
A nonpsychotic disorder in which the person’s response to a painful event is more extreme than would ordinarily be expected or considered adequate.
A type of mental disorder in which a person fails to adapt to a major stressful event in life, so that normal functioning (at home, school, or work) and social relationships are noticeably impaired. Adjustment disorders can occur at any age; among children, they often emerge around events such as parents’ divorce or separation, death or serious illness in the family, loss of a job or home by a provider, and going to school. “Adjustment disorder” is a term used most often by psychiatrists for “maladaptive reactions” seen within three to six months of the onset of the stressful event but that do not primarily stem from other kinds of mental disturbances. (For help and further information.)
Psychiatric illness characterized by gross inability to effectively respond to a major stressful life event.
A mental illness characterized by a disturbing emotional or behavioral reaction to stress that affects the individual’s ability to function, or that greatly exceeds the normal reaction to stress. If adjustment disorder begins in response to a single event, it arises within 3 months of the event and usually improves within 6 months. If the source of stress is ongoing, the disorder may persist for longer than 6 months.
A maladaptive reaction to an identifiable psychological or social stress that occurs within 3 months of the onset of the stressful situation. The reaction is characterized by impaired function or symptoms in excess of what would be considered normal for that stress. The symptoms are expected to remit when the stress ceases.
A condition characterized by the emergence of notable emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to a stressful event or a series of events that fall within the typical spectrum of human experiences.