Adjustment Disorders

Adjustment disorders are a group of disorders that develop in response to a stressor. There are similarities between the symptoms of adjustment disorders and the symptoms of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or trauma-related disorders. However, the symptoms of adjustment disorders are fewer in number, milder in intensity, and of shorter duration than symptoms of these other groups of disorders. Adjustment disorders fall in the sweet spot between a typical and expected reaction to a stressor and a full-blown depressive episode or anxiety disorder. Symptoms of adjustment disorders can be predominantly, anxious, depressive, conduct disordered, or any combination of these.