Adjustment Disorders

4 July 2017

Adjustment Disorder:

the development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor(s) occurring within 3 months of onset of symptoms. (note: the stressor is not a bizarre or traumatic stressor as might be present in PTSD)

Note: Code stressor on Axis IV.

309.0 With depressed mood:

symptoms are depressed mood, tearfulness,

feelings of hopelessness.

309.24 With Anxiety:

symptoms are nervousness, worry, jitteriness, or in children fears of separation.

309.28 with mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood:

Used when symptoms include both depression and anxiety.

309.3 with disturbance of conduct:

Used when symptoms involve violation of the rights of others or age appropriate norms (many conduct disorder symptoms)

309.4 with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct.

Used when both emotional symptoms (depression and/or anxiety) and conduct disorder.

309.9 Unspecified:

Used for maladaptive reactions (physical complaints, social withdrawal, work or academic inhibitions) to stressors that are not classifiable as one of the specific subtypes.

Also designate whether:

Acute: persistence of symptoms for less

Than 6 months.

Chronic: Persistence of symptoms for 6

Months or longer.

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