Diagnosing adjustment disorder with depressive features

Abstract

Adjustment disorder (AD) with depressive features is a common but under researched diagnosis. There are particular problems associated with the diagnosis of AD using structured interviews and screening schedules have yet to be successfully developed owing to the poor specificity of those that are currently used. The problem of underdiagnosing AD due to symptom overlap with other disorders, on the one hand, and, on the other, the danger of pathologizing normal distress as AD are considered. The diagnosis of AD in practice is an exercise that requires clinical judgment concerning the context of the symptoms, their cultural and individual appropriateness as well as the longitudinal course. Significant research input is essential if comprehensive diagnostic criteria are to be developed.

Keywords::

• adjustment disorder
• clinical diagnosis
• distress
• screening
• stress
• structured interview

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; ICD: International Classification of Diseases.