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Adjustment Disorder: New Developments

  • Anxiety Disorders (DJ Stein, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Adjustment disorders (ADs) have been included in the psychiatric classifications since 1952 although their name has changed over time. In DSM 5 they have been classified under the trauma and stress related disorders for the first time. Despite this positive step, there are still problems with the classification of ADs. There is no guidance on the distinction from normal stress reactions, it remains a subthreshold category, and the subtypes are not strongly underpinned by research. There are no specific diagnostic criteria in terms of symptom numbers or combinations of these, unlike most other conditions classified in DSM. Apart from epidemiological studies in those with medical illnesses, recent prevalence studies in other populations are scarce. Research is lacking in many aspects of AD, especially their biological underpinnings and treatments. One factor contributing to this is the absence of adequate diagnostic interview schedules. Interest in ADs may increase now that they are classified with the trauma-related group of disorders.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Conflict of Interest

Patricia Casey has received honoraria and paid travel accommodations from Lundbeck.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Patricia Casey

  2. Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland

    Patricia Casey

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Correspondence to Patricia Casey.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Anxiety Disorders

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Casey, P. Adjustment Disorder: New Developments. Curr Psychiatry Rep 16, 451 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-014-0451-2

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