Zaburzenie adaptacyjne
Rokowania, prognozy i postęp choroby

Zaburzenie adaptacyjne (AD) jest powszechnie diagnozowanym schorzeniem psychicznym o generalnie dobrym rokowaniu, potwierdzonym w badaniach pięcioletnich, gdzie 71% pacjentów nie spełniało kryteriów żadnego zaburzenia psychicznego, a tylko 13% rozwijało ciężką depresję i/lub alkoholizm. Mimo to, przewlekłość objawów i obecność symptomów behawioralnych są najsilniejszymi predyktorami niekorzystnego przebiegu. Objawy mogą utrzymywać się miesiącami lub latami, a u części pacjentów dochodzi do progresji do innych zaburzeń. Szczególnie istotne jest zwiększone ryzyko samobójstwa, które u osób z AD jest 12-krotnie wyższe niż w populacji ogólnej, z krótszym i bardziej impulsywnym procesem samobójczym niż w ciężkiej depresji. Ryzyko to jest najwyższe u młodzieży (15-19 lat) i wzrasta z wiekiem u kobiet. Ponadto, pacjenci z AD często angażują się w celowe samouszkodzenia, a zaburzenia związane z nadużywaniem substancji mogą komplikować diagnozę i przebieg choroby.

Rokowanie w zaburzeniach adaptacyjnych

Zaburzenie adaptacyjne (ang. Adjustment disorder, AD) to jedno z najczęściej diagnozowanych zaburzeń psychicznych, które zazwyczaj postrzega się jako łagodne i krótkotrwałe schorzenie.12 Mimo powszechnego rozpoznawania tego zaburzenia w praktyce klinicznej, wiedza dotycząca jego rokowania pozostaje ograniczona.3 W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono kompleksowy przegląd informacji dotyczących prognozy i długoterminowych wyników leczenia zaburzeń adaptacyjnych.

Ogólna prognoza zaburzeń adaptacyjnych

W definicji zaburzenia adaptacyjnego zawarte jest oczekiwanie pomyślnego wyniku leczenia związanego z ustąpieniem objawów po usunięciu czynnika stresującego.4 Badania długoterminowe potwierdzają generalnie dobre rokowanie u osób dorosłych z tym rozpoznaniem. Pięcioletnie badanie follow-up wykazało, że 71% pacjentów pierwotnie zdiagnozowanych z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym nie spełniało kryteriów diagnostycznych dla żadnego zaburzenia psychicznego, tylko 13% miało rozpoznanie ciężkiej depresji i/lub alkoholizmu, a 8% spełniało kryteria antyspołecznego zaburzenia osobowości.5

Podobnie, inne pięcioletnie badanie follow-up obejmujące 76 pacjentów z oddziału interwencji kryzysowej, którym postawiono diagnozę zaburzenia adaptacyjnego według klasyfikacji ICD-9, potwierdziło dobre rokowanie związane z tym stanem – tylko u 17% rozwinął się przewlekły lub ciężki przebieg choroby.6 Dostępne dane wskazują, że zaburzenie adaptacyjne ma łagodniejszy przebieg w porównaniu z innymi zaburzeniami psychicznymi, jednak niejednokrotnie może przejść w poważniejsze stany zdrowia psychicznego i może prognozować rozwój przyszłych problemów zdrowotnych, zarówno psychicznych, jak i fizycznych.78

Czynniki prognostyczne

W kontekście zaburzeń adaptacyjnych zidentyfikowano kilka istotnych czynników prognostycznych. Przewlekłość objawów oraz występowanie objawów behawioralnych zostały określone jako najsilniejsze predyktory niekorzystnego rokowania.9 Warto podkreślić, że u znacznej części pacjentów z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym objawy mogą utrzymywać się przez miesiące lub lata po postawieniu początkowej diagnozy, a niektórzy pacjenci mogą być później zdiagnozowani z innym zaburzeniem psychicznym.10

Badanie przeprowadzone wśród kobiet, które przeżyły raka piersi, wykazało, że objawy zaburzenia adaptacyjnego mogą fluktuować w ciągu roku i przez okres do 5 lat po zakończeniu leczenia. Tylko niewielki odsetek przypadków wykazywał stabilny przebieg objawów zaburzenia adaptacyjnego, co sugeruje, że należy zachować ostrożność przy interpretacji pojedynczych ocen punktowych.11 Zrozumienie przebiegu objawów zaburzenia adaptacyjnego w czasie może pomóc w identyfikacji pacjentów, u których rozwinie się przewlekłe zaburzenie adaptacyjne.12

Ryzyko samobójstwa i samouszkodzeń

Chociaż nie istnieje wyraźna korelacja między zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym a śmiertelnością, badania sugerują, że zachorowalność i śmiertelność są zwiększone u pacjentów z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym.13 Ryzyko samobójstwa u osób z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym zasługuje na szczególną uwagę. Badanie przeprowadzone przez Gradus i współpracowników, analizujące wszystkie 9612 samobójstw zarejestrowanych w Danii w latach 1994-2006, wykazało, że osoby ze zdiagnozowanym zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym miały 12-krotnie wyższy wskaźnik samobójstw niż osoby bez takiej diagnozy.14

Mitrev i współpracownicy stwierdzili, że ryzyko samobójstwa było wyższe u pacjentów z przewlekłym zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym oraz u osób z wcześniejszymi próbami samobójczymi. Najwyższe ryzyko samobójstwa wykazywali pacjenci w wieku 15-19 lat, a u kobiet ryzyko samobójstwa wzrastało z wiekiem.15

Polyakova i współpracownicy, porównując charakterystykę prób samobójczych u 69 pacjentów z ciężką depresją i 86 pacjentów z zaburzeniami adaptacyjnymi, odkryli, że okres od wystąpienia pierwszych objawów do próby samobójczej był krótszy w grupie z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym niż w grupie z ciężką depresją. Dodatkowo, próby samobójcze osób z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym często nie były planowane.16

Runeson i współpracownicy ocenili 58 kolejnych samobójstw wśród osób w wieku 15-29 lat poprzez autopsję psychologiczną i badanie procesu samobójczego, stwierdzając, że mediana okresu od pierwszej komunikacji samobójczej do samobójstwa wynosiła mniej niż 1 miesiąc dla osób z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym. Portzky i współpracownicy również potwierdzili, że proces samobójczy w zaburzeniu adaptacyjnym był znacznie krótszy i rozwijał się szybciej, bez wcześniejszych wskazań na problemy emocjonalne lub behawioralne.17

Nowsze badanie przeprowadzone przez Casey i współpracowników wykazało, że myśli i zachowania samobójcze były równie powszechne i niebezpieczne u pacjentów z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym jak u pacjentów z epizodem dużej depresji. Obecność objawów depresyjnych w zaburzeniu adaptacyjnym zwiększała ryzyko myśli i zachowań samobójczych. Zachowanie samobójcze było bardziej impulsywne u pacjentów z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym.18

Samouszkodzenia i nadużywanie substancji

Pacjenci z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym angażują się w celowe samouszkodzenia z częstotliwością przewyższającą te obserwowane w większości innych zaburzeń. Badanie przeprowadzone na oddziale ratunkowym wśród osób podejmujących celowe samouszkodzenia wykazało, że kliniczna diagnoza zaburzenia adaptacyjnego została postawiona u 31,8% badanych.19

W badaniu przeprowadzonym przez Vlachos i współpracowników, analizującym 548 pacjentów skierowanych z powodu celowych samouszkodzeń, samozatrucie stanowiło większość zachowań związanych z celowym samouszkodzeniem, a zaburzenie adaptacyjne lub ostra reakcja na stres były najczęstszymi diagnozami psychiatrycznymi. Badanie przeprowadzone przez Mitrev i współpracowników wykazało, że w przypadkach celowego samozatrucia wśród osób z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym, myśli samobójcze utrzymywały się tylko u 11% pacjentów.20

Osoby z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym mogą być również narażone na zwiększone ryzyko zaburzeń związanych z nadużywaniem substancji. Jednak niektóre dowody sugerują, że niestabilność związana z nadużywaniem narkotyków i alkoholu komplikuje diagnozę zaburzenia adaptacyjnego. Uzależnienia i ich konsekwencje są często przyczyną, a nie wynikiem stresu. Jedno z badań wykazało, że 59% osób pierwotnie zdiagnozowanych z zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym otrzymało przy wypisie diagnozę główną dotyczącą nadużywania substancji.21

Efektywność interwencji terapeutycznych

Interwencje psychologiczne mogą znacząco wpływać na rokowanie w zaburzeniach adaptacyjnych. Jedyne randomizowane badanie kontrolowane dotyczące skuteczności psychoterapii w zaburzeniu adaptacyjnym, znalezione w literaturze, to badanie van der Klinka i współpracowników, które porównywało „interwencję aktywizującą” ze „zwykłą opieką” (grupa kontrolna) w prowadzeniu pracowników przebywających na zwolnieniu lekarskim z powodu zaburzenia adaptacyjnego.22

„Interwencja aktywizująca” opierała się na trzyetapowym modelu, przypominającym trening inokulacji stresu, który jest wysoce skutecznym podejściem poznawczo-behawioralnym. Wskaźnik nawrotów był również niższy w grupie interwencyjnej.23

Stosowanie leków psychotropowych, takich jak leki przeciwdepresyjne, w zaburzeniu adaptacyjnym z nastrojem lękowym lub depresyjnym nie jest właściwie poparte badaniami i należy go unikać, podczas gdy użyteczność psychoterapii jest bardziej solidnie wspierana przez dowody kliniczne.24 Aby lepiej określić właściwy kierunek terapii, niezbędne są randomizowane badania kontrolowane, nawet dla połączonego stosowania leków i psychoterapii, szczególnie w przypadku opornych form zaburzenia adaptacyjnego.25

Badanie dotyczące interwencji psychologicznych dostosowanych do indywidualnych potrzeb pacjentów z rakiem i zaburzeniem adaptacyjnym sugeruje, że takie podejście może być szczególnie skuteczne.26 Oczekuje się, że ta interwencja psychologiczna będzie szczególnie efektywna, ponieważ jest dostosowana do indywidualnych potrzeb dotyczących intensywności interwencji (tj. liczby dostarczanych modułów) oraz preferencji dotyczących rodzaju interwencji. Oprócz skuteczności, zakłada się, że oferowanie tej interwencji będzie opłacalne kosztowo, a potencjalnie nawet przyniesie oszczędności.27

Podsumowanie rokowania w zaburzeniach adaptacyjnych

Zaburzenie adaptacyjne, mimo że często postrzegane jako łagodne i przemijające, może mieć zróżnicowany przebieg i rokowanie. Choć większość pacjentów osiąga pełną remisję objawów, zwłaszcza po usunięciu czynnika stresującego, niektórzy mogą doświadczać przewlekłego przebiegu lub progresji do innych zaburzeń psychicznych.28

Szczególną uwagę należy zwrócić na ryzyko samobójstwa i samouszkodzeń, które może być porównywalne z ryzykiem występującym w ciężkiej depresji, zwłaszcza przy obecności objawów depresyjnych w obrazie zaburzenia adaptacyjnego.29 Proces samobójczy w zaburzeniu adaptacyjnym może rozwijać się szybciej i bardziej impulsywnie niż w innych zaburzeniach, co podkreśla znaczenie dokładnej oceny ryzyka samobójczego.30

Interwencje psychologiczne, szczególnie te dostosowane do indywidualnych potrzeb pacjenta, wydają się być najbardziej obiecującą metodą leczenia, podczas gdy stosowanie leków psychotropowych powinno być rozważane ostrożnie i nie jest rutynowo zalecane.31

Pomimo stosunkowo dobrego ogólnego rokowania, zaburzenie adaptacyjne wymaga profesjonalnego podejścia terapeutycznego oraz regularnej oceny stanu pacjenta, szczególnie w przypadku przewlekłego przebiegu lub obecności dodatkowych czynników ryzyka. Potrzebne są dalsze prospektywne badania zgodne z wytycznymi badań prognostycznych, aby lepiej zrozumieć przebieg tego powszechnego zaburzenia.32

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  1. 10.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36347110/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. Our goal was to systematically review research on a range of AD outcomes in order to provide a broad characterization of AD prognosis. […] Many patients maintained an AD diagnosis or were diagnosed with another mental health disorder months to years after initial diagnosis. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.
  • #2 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review
    https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2184/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.
  • #3 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    Adjustment Disorder is a condition strongly tied to acute and chronic stress. […] This review also highlights recent data about trends in the use of antidepressant drugs, evidence on their efficacy and the use of psychotherapies. […] AD is a very common diagnosis in clinical practice, but we still lack data about its rightful clinical entity. […] We lack efficacy surveys concerning treatment. […] The use of psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, in AD with anxious or depressed mood is not properly supported and should be avoided, while the usefulness of psychotherapies is more solidly supported by clinical evidence. […] To better determine the correct course of therapy, randomized-controlled trials, even for the combined use of drugs and psychotherapies, are needed vitally, especially for the resistant forms of AD.
  • #4 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    In the definition of Adjustment Disorder, there is an expectation of good outcome relative to symptoms remitting after the removal of the precipitating stressor. […] A five year follow up study demonstrated that 71% of patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder did not meet Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) criteria for any diagnosis, only 13% had a diagnosis of major depression and/or alcoholism, and 8% met the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. […] Chronicity and behavioral symptoms were the strongest predictors of poor outcome. […] A 5-year follow-up study of 76 patients from a crisis intervention ward who were given an ICD-9 diagnosis of adjustment disorder confirmed the good prognosis associated with this condition: only 17% had developed a chronic or severe course and 2% committed suicide.
  • #5 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    In the definition of Adjustment Disorder, there is an expectation of good outcome relative to symptoms remitting after the removal of the precipitating stressor. […] A five year follow up study demonstrated that 71% of patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder did not meet Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) criteria for any diagnosis, only 13% had a diagnosis of major depression and/or alcoholism, and 8% met the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. […] Chronicity and behavioral symptoms were the strongest predictors of poor outcome. […] A 5-year follow-up study of 76 patients from a crisis intervention ward who were given an ICD-9 diagnosis of adjustment disorder confirmed the good prognosis associated with this condition: only 17% had developed a chronic or severe course and 2% committed suicide.
  • #6 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    In the definition of Adjustment Disorder, there is an expectation of good outcome relative to symptoms remitting after the removal of the precipitating stressor. […] A five year follow up study demonstrated that 71% of patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder did not meet Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) criteria for any diagnosis, only 13% had a diagnosis of major depression and/or alcoholism, and 8% met the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. […] Chronicity and behavioral symptoms were the strongest predictors of poor outcome. […] A 5-year follow-up study of 76 patients from a crisis intervention ward who were given an ICD-9 diagnosis of adjustment disorder confirmed the good prognosis associated with this condition: only 17% had developed a chronic or severe course and 2% committed suicide.
  • #7 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36347110/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. Our goal was to systematically review research on a range of AD outcomes in order to provide a broad characterization of AD prognosis. […] Many patients maintained an AD diagnosis or were diagnosed with another mental health disorder months to years after initial diagnosis. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.
  • #8 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review
    https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2184/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.
  • #9 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    In the definition of Adjustment Disorder, there is an expectation of good outcome relative to symptoms remitting after the removal of the precipitating stressor. […] A five year follow up study demonstrated that 71% of patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder did not meet Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) criteria for any diagnosis, only 13% had a diagnosis of major depression and/or alcoholism, and 8% met the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. […] Chronicity and behavioral symptoms were the strongest predictors of poor outcome. […] A 5-year follow-up study of 76 patients from a crisis intervention ward who were given an ICD-9 diagnosis of adjustment disorder confirmed the good prognosis associated with this condition: only 17% had developed a chronic or severe course and 2% committed suicide.
  • #10 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36347110/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. Our goal was to systematically review research on a range of AD outcomes in order to provide a broad characterization of AD prognosis. […] Many patients maintained an AD diagnosis or were diagnosed with another mental health disorder months to years after initial diagnosis. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.
  • #11
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-022-06806-z
    Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may experience problems to adjust to their situation after cancer treatment completion. In case of severe distress, an adjustment disorder (AD) might develop. This study investigates the course of AD symptoms during 1 year and its predictors in BCS up to 5 years post-treatment. […] Results of our study showed that AD symptoms in BCS up to 5 years post-treatment fluctuate over 1 year. It is thus important to appropriately assess AD over the course of 5 years post-treatment as AD symptoms can fluctuate. […] Understanding the course of AD symptoms over time may help identify BCS who develop persistent AD. […] A substantial proportion of BCS up to 5 years post-diagnosis showed fluctuating AD symptoms, and only a negligible percentage of the cases had a stable course of AD symptoms. We suggest handling single assessment cut-off scores with caution.
  • #12
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-022-06806-z
    Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may experience problems to adjust to their situation after cancer treatment completion. In case of severe distress, an adjustment disorder (AD) might develop. This study investigates the course of AD symptoms during 1 year and its predictors in BCS up to 5 years post-treatment. […] Results of our study showed that AD symptoms in BCS up to 5 years post-treatment fluctuate over 1 year. It is thus important to appropriately assess AD over the course of 5 years post-treatment as AD symptoms can fluctuate. […] Understanding the course of AD symptoms over time may help identify BCS who develop persistent AD. […] A substantial proportion of BCS up to 5 years post-diagnosis showed fluctuating AD symptoms, and only a negligible percentage of the cases had a stable course of AD symptoms. We suggest handling single assessment cut-off scores with caution.
  • #13 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    Although longitudinal data are limited, studies suggest that adults with adjustment disorders have a good long-term prognosis, whereas adolescents are at increased risk to develop major psychiatric conditions later on. […] No clear correlation exists between adjustment disorder and mortality; however, research findings suggest morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with adjustment disorder. […] Gradus et al examined all of the 9612 suicides recorded in Denmark from 1994 to 2006. For each case, as many as 30 controls were matched on the basis of gender, date of birth, and calendar time. Conditional logistic regression analyses revealed that those diagnosed with adjustment disorder had a 12-fold higher rate of suicide than those without such a diagnosis. […] Mitrev et al found that suicide risk was higher in patients with chronic adjustment disorder and in individuals with previous suicide attempts. Patients aged 15-19 years demonstrated the highest suicide risk. The suicide risk for women increased with age.
  • #14 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    Although longitudinal data are limited, studies suggest that adults with adjustment disorders have a good long-term prognosis, whereas adolescents are at increased risk to develop major psychiatric conditions later on. […] No clear correlation exists between adjustment disorder and mortality; however, research findings suggest morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with adjustment disorder. […] Gradus et al examined all of the 9612 suicides recorded in Denmark from 1994 to 2006. For each case, as many as 30 controls were matched on the basis of gender, date of birth, and calendar time. Conditional logistic regression analyses revealed that those diagnosed with adjustment disorder had a 12-fold higher rate of suicide than those without such a diagnosis. […] Mitrev et al found that suicide risk was higher in patients with chronic adjustment disorder and in individuals with previous suicide attempts. Patients aged 15-19 years demonstrated the highest suicide risk. The suicide risk for women increased with age.
  • #15 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    Although longitudinal data are limited, studies suggest that adults with adjustment disorders have a good long-term prognosis, whereas adolescents are at increased risk to develop major psychiatric conditions later on. […] No clear correlation exists between adjustment disorder and mortality; however, research findings suggest morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with adjustment disorder. […] Gradus et al examined all of the 9612 suicides recorded in Denmark from 1994 to 2006. For each case, as many as 30 controls were matched on the basis of gender, date of birth, and calendar time. Conditional logistic regression analyses revealed that those diagnosed with adjustment disorder had a 12-fold higher rate of suicide than those without such a diagnosis. […] Mitrev et al found that suicide risk was higher in patients with chronic adjustment disorder and in individuals with previous suicide attempts. Patients aged 15-19 years demonstrated the highest suicide risk. The suicide risk for women increased with age.
  • #16 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    In a study comparing the characteristics of the suicide attempts of 69 patients experiencing major depression with those of 86 patients who had adjustment disorders, Polyakova et al found that the interval from the first symptoms to the suicide attempt was shorter in the group with adjustment disorder than in the group with major depression. Furthermore, suicide attempts of people with adjustment disorder frequently were not planned. […] Runeson et al evaluated 58 consecutive suicides among individuals aged 15-29 years through psychologic autopsy and study of the suicidal process, finding that the median interval from the first suicidal communication to the suicide was less than 1 month for persons with adjustment disorder. Portzky et al also confirmed that the suicidal process in adjustment disorder was significantly shorter and evolved more rapidly without any previous indications of emotional or behavioral problems.
  • #17 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    In a study comparing the characteristics of the suicide attempts of 69 patients experiencing major depression with those of 86 patients who had adjustment disorders, Polyakova et al found that the interval from the first symptoms to the suicide attempt was shorter in the group with adjustment disorder than in the group with major depression. Furthermore, suicide attempts of people with adjustment disorder frequently were not planned. […] Runeson et al evaluated 58 consecutive suicides among individuals aged 15-29 years through psychologic autopsy and study of the suicidal process, finding that the median interval from the first suicidal communication to the suicide was less than 1 month for persons with adjustment disorder. Portzky et al also confirmed that the suicidal process in adjustment disorder was significantly shorter and evolved more rapidly without any previous indications of emotional or behavioral problems.
  • #18 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    A more recent study by Casey et al. found that suicidal ideation and behavior was as common and as dangerous in patients with adjustment disorder as in those with a major depressive episode. The presence of depressive symptoms within the adjustment disorder raised the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. The suicidal behavior was more impulsive in the patients with adjustment disorder. […] These studies underscore the importance of assessing suicidal risk in patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder and for considering adjustment to a stressor as an important contributor to any expression of suicidal thought or suicidal behavior. […] Patients with adjustment disorder engage in deliberate self-harm at a rate that surpasses those seen in most other disorders. An emergency department (ED) study of individuals who engaged in deliberate self-harm determined that a clinical diagnosis of adjustment disorder was made in 31.8% of those interviewed.
  • #19 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    A more recent study by Casey et al. found that suicidal ideation and behavior was as common and as dangerous in patients with adjustment disorder as in those with a major depressive episode. The presence of depressive symptoms within the adjustment disorder raised the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. The suicidal behavior was more impulsive in the patients with adjustment disorder. […] These studies underscore the importance of assessing suicidal risk in patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder and for considering adjustment to a stressor as an important contributor to any expression of suicidal thought or suicidal behavior. […] Patients with adjustment disorder engage in deliberate self-harm at a rate that surpasses those seen in most other disorders. An emergency department (ED) study of individuals who engaged in deliberate self-harm determined that a clinical diagnosis of adjustment disorder was made in 31.8% of those interviewed.
  • #20 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    In a study by Vlachos et al examining 548 patients referred for deliberate self-harm, self-poisoning accounted for most of the deliberate self-harm behaviors, and adjustment disorder or acute reaction to stress was the most common psychiatric diagnosis. A study by Mitrev et al found that in cases of deliberate self-poisoning among persons with adjustment disorder, suicidal thoughts persisted in only 11% of patients. […] Individuals with adjustment disorder may also be at increased risk for substance abuse disorders. However, some evidence suggests that the instability associated with the misuse of drugs and alcohol confounds the diagnoses of adjustment disorder. Addictions and their consequences are often the cause rather than the result of stress. One study revealed that 59% of individuals diagnosed primarily with adjustment disorder were relabeled on discharge with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse.
  • #21 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    In a study by Vlachos et al examining 548 patients referred for deliberate self-harm, self-poisoning accounted for most of the deliberate self-harm behaviors, and adjustment disorder or acute reaction to stress was the most common psychiatric diagnosis. A study by Mitrev et al found that in cases of deliberate self-poisoning among persons with adjustment disorder, suicidal thoughts persisted in only 11% of patients. […] Individuals with adjustment disorder may also be at increased risk for substance abuse disorders. However, some evidence suggests that the instability associated with the misuse of drugs and alcohol confounds the diagnoses of adjustment disorder. Addictions and their consequences are often the cause rather than the result of stress. One study revealed that 59% of individuals diagnosed primarily with adjustment disorder were relabeled on discharge with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse.
  • #22 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    The „activating intervention” was based on a three stage model, resembling stress inoculation training, a highly effective cognitive behavioural approach. […] The only Randomized Controlled Trial found in literature about efficacy of Psychoterapy in AD was the study of Van der Klink ad coll. that compared the „activating intervention” with „care as usual” (control group) for the guidance of employees on sickness leave because of an adjustment disorder. […] The recurrence rate was also lower in the intervention group. […] In summary, in the CL psychiatry practice the AD continues to be a frequent diagnosis, which despite the apparent lesser severity as compared to clinical depression represents a burdening and time-consuming disorder.
  • #23 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    The „activating intervention” was based on a three stage model, resembling stress inoculation training, a highly effective cognitive behavioural approach. […] The only Randomized Controlled Trial found in literature about efficacy of Psychoterapy in AD was the study of Van der Klink ad coll. that compared the „activating intervention” with „care as usual” (control group) for the guidance of employees on sickness leave because of an adjustment disorder. […] The recurrence rate was also lower in the intervention group. […] In summary, in the CL psychiatry practice the AD continues to be a frequent diagnosis, which despite the apparent lesser severity as compared to clinical depression represents a burdening and time-consuming disorder.
  • #24 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    Adjustment Disorder is a condition strongly tied to acute and chronic stress. […] This review also highlights recent data about trends in the use of antidepressant drugs, evidence on their efficacy and the use of psychotherapies. […] AD is a very common diagnosis in clinical practice, but we still lack data about its rightful clinical entity. […] We lack efficacy surveys concerning treatment. […] The use of psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, in AD with anxious or depressed mood is not properly supported and should be avoided, while the usefulness of psychotherapies is more solidly supported by clinical evidence. […] To better determine the correct course of therapy, randomized-controlled trials, even for the combined use of drugs and psychotherapies, are needed vitally, especially for the resistant forms of AD.
  • #25 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    Adjustment Disorder is a condition strongly tied to acute and chronic stress. […] This review also highlights recent data about trends in the use of antidepressant drugs, evidence on their efficacy and the use of psychotherapies. […] AD is a very common diagnosis in clinical practice, but we still lack data about its rightful clinical entity. […] We lack efficacy surveys concerning treatment. […] The use of psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, in AD with anxious or depressed mood is not properly supported and should be avoided, while the usefulness of psychotherapies is more solidly supported by clinical evidence. […] To better determine the correct course of therapy, randomized-controlled trials, even for the combined use of drugs and psychotherapies, are needed vitally, especially for the resistant forms of AD.
  • #26 Prevalence of adjustment disorder among cancer patients, and the reach, effectiveness, cost-utility and budget impact of tailored psychological treatment: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial | BMC Psychology | Full Text
    https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-019-0368-y
    The second part of this project aims to investigate the effectiveness, cost-utility and budget impact of the tailored psychological intervention. It is expected that this psychological intervention will be especially effective, since the intervention is tailored to the individual needs regarding intensity of the intervention (i.e. number of modules provided) and wishes regarding the type of intervention. Besides being effective, it is hypothesized that offering this intervention will be cost-effective and potentially even cost-saving. […] If the psychological intervention is effective and cost-effective, this study will provide support for the reimbursement of psychological interventions for cancer patients with an adjustment disorder. Consequently, this study may contribute to the implementation and optimization of accessibility of psychological treatment for cancer patients with an adjustment disorder.
  • #27 Prevalence of adjustment disorder among cancer patients, and the reach, effectiveness, cost-utility and budget impact of tailored psychological treatment: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial | BMC Psychology | Full Text
    https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-019-0368-y
    The second part of this project aims to investigate the effectiveness, cost-utility and budget impact of the tailored psychological intervention. It is expected that this psychological intervention will be especially effective, since the intervention is tailored to the individual needs regarding intensity of the intervention (i.e. number of modules provided) and wishes regarding the type of intervention. Besides being effective, it is hypothesized that offering this intervention will be cost-effective and potentially even cost-saving. […] If the psychological intervention is effective and cost-effective, this study will provide support for the reimbursement of psychological interventions for cancer patients with an adjustment disorder. Consequently, this study may contribute to the implementation and optimization of accessibility of psychological treatment for cancer patients with an adjustment disorder.
  • #28 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36347110/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. Our goal was to systematically review research on a range of AD outcomes in order to provide a broad characterization of AD prognosis. […] Many patients maintained an AD diagnosis or were diagnosed with another mental health disorder months to years after initial diagnosis. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.
  • #29 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    A more recent study by Casey et al. found that suicidal ideation and behavior was as common and as dangerous in patients with adjustment disorder as in those with a major depressive episode. The presence of depressive symptoms within the adjustment disorder raised the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. The suicidal behavior was more impulsive in the patients with adjustment disorder. […] These studies underscore the importance of assessing suicidal risk in patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder and for considering adjustment to a stressor as an important contributor to any expression of suicidal thought or suicidal behavior. […] Patients with adjustment disorder engage in deliberate self-harm at a rate that surpasses those seen in most other disorders. An emergency department (ED) study of individuals who engaged in deliberate self-harm determined that a clinical diagnosis of adjustment disorder was made in 31.8% of those interviewed.
  • #30 Adjustment Disorders: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2192631-overview
    In a study comparing the characteristics of the suicide attempts of 69 patients experiencing major depression with those of 86 patients who had adjustment disorders, Polyakova et al found that the interval from the first symptoms to the suicide attempt was shorter in the group with adjustment disorder than in the group with major depression. Furthermore, suicide attempts of people with adjustment disorder frequently were not planned. […] Runeson et al evaluated 58 consecutive suicides among individuals aged 15-29 years through psychologic autopsy and study of the suicidal process, finding that the median interval from the first suicidal communication to the suicide was less than 1 month for persons with adjustment disorder. Portzky et al also confirmed that the suicidal process in adjustment disorder was significantly shorter and evolved more rapidly without any previous indications of emotional or behavioral problems.
  • #31 Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment | Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health | Full Text
    https://cpementalhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15
    Adjustment Disorder is a condition strongly tied to acute and chronic stress. […] This review also highlights recent data about trends in the use of antidepressant drugs, evidence on their efficacy and the use of psychotherapies. […] AD is a very common diagnosis in clinical practice, but we still lack data about its rightful clinical entity. […] We lack efficacy surveys concerning treatment. […] The use of psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, in AD with anxious or depressed mood is not properly supported and should be avoided, while the usefulness of psychotherapies is more solidly supported by clinical evidence. […] To better determine the correct course of therapy, randomized-controlled trials, even for the combined use of drugs and psychotherapies, are needed vitally, especially for the resistant forms of AD.
  • #32 Outcomes and prognosis of adjustment disorder in adults: A systematic review
    https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2184/
    Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is generally conceptualized to be mild and short-lived. […] Despite the frequent use of AD in clinical settings, little is known about the prognosis of this condition. […] Based on limited findings, AD appears to progress as a milder disorder than do other disorders, but it not uncommonly transitions to more severe mental health states and may predict the development of future health issues, both mental and physical. […] Future prospective research that conforms to prognosis study guidelines is needed to better understand the course of this common disorder.