[Adjustment disorders--nosological state and treatment options]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Context:

• Adjustment disorders are frequently diagnosed in clinical populations, presenting a significant diagnostic challenge.
• High rates of comorbidity with somatic and other mental disorders, particularly personality disorders, are observed.

Purpose:

• To review empirical findings on adjustment disorders.
• To assess the current understanding of adjustment disorder diagnosis, comorbidity, stability, and treatment.

Summary:

• Adjustment disorder is a prevalent diagnosis (5-24% in clinical samples) with substantial comorbidity (15-73% with personality disorders).
• Diagnostic stability appears low, and differentiation from affective or anxiety disorders remains unclear.
• Empirical data on treatment efficacy is limited.

Impact:

• Highlights the need for a psychopathological revision of the adjustment disorder concept.
• Suggests potential for refining diagnostic criteria, possibly leading to a narrower or broader diagnostic category.
• Underscores the need for more robust empirical evidence, especially regarding treatment.