Adjustment Disorder (Symptoms)

A recent and possibly even normal event has an excessively negative effect. Adjustment disorder is marked by anxiety, reckless behavior, and a difficulty in "getting over it."

Depressed mood
Impaired occupational/social functioning
Agitation
Trembling or twitching
Physical complaints (e.g. general aches and pains, stomachache, headache, chest pain)
Palpitations
Conduct disturbances (e.g. truancy, vandalism, reckless driving or fighting)
Withdrawal
Anxiety, worry, stress and tension

Note: Symptoms may vary widely. The person may or may not be aware of the stressor causing the disturbance.

Diagnosis depends on the following:

The reaction clearly follows a life stressor. Within three months of stressor onset, emotional and behavioral symptoms develop in response to stressor
Symptoms seem excessive compared to what would normally be expected in relation to stressor and/or, symptoms significantly impair occupational, school or social functioning
Symptoms are not explained by another diagnosis
Symptoms are not part of bereavement
Symptoms do not last longer than six months after end of stressor
The diagnosis may be acute (symptoms last less than six months) or chronic (symptoms last six months or longer as when stressors are chronic or have lasting effects)

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