Adjustment disorder

Symptoms:

• hopelessness
• frequent crying
• depressed mood
  • severe enough to impair occupational/social functioning

• agitation
• trembling or twitching
• palpitations
• conduct disturbances
• physical complaints
• withdrawal
• occupational functioning is decreased
• anxiety, stress, and tension

Note: Symptoms may vary widely, but duration is usually less than 6 months. The person may or may not be aware of the stressor causing the disturbance.

Signs and tests:

The following criteria need to be met to establish a diagnosis:

• psychological evaluation
• symptoms are related by time to a psychosocial stressor
• symptoms are more severe than would be expected
• lack of other underlying disorders (excluding personality disorders or developmental disorders)