Adjustment disorder considered

Adjustment disorder has been included in psychiatric classifications for over 40 years but has received little attention from the research community. It is particularly common in consultation liaison psychiatry. Evaluation is problematic since it may be mistaken for major depression, generalised anxiety or non-pathological reactions to stress. Its measurement by structured interview is difficult since it is not included in many instruments and, in others, cannot be diagnosed once the threshold for another disorder is reached. There are few evidence-based treatments and it is possible that these transient reactions may not require any formal intervention. Adjustment disorder generally carries an excellent prognosis but in some individuals is associated with self-harm and suicide.