Master Adjustment Disorder with Picmonic for Medicine

Adjustment disorder involves symptoms lasting no longer than six months following the conclusion of the stressor.

Adjustment disorder presents itself within three months of the original identifiable stressor (e.g., move, divorce, etc.).

Adjustment disorder involves emotional distress that is considered an excessive or inappropriate response to a life stressor (e.g., divorce). This response usually occurs within the first three months of the initial stressor and lasts less than six months.

Adjustment disorder involves an emotional response to a stressor that cannot be explained by any other mental health disorder or as a normal grief response. The amount of distress experienced impairs daily life activities and is disproportionate to the normal or expected grief response.

If adjustment disorder symptoms last longer than 6 months, then the diagnosis can be changed to generalized anxiety disorder.

The treatment of adjustment disorder involves cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic or interpersonal psychotherapy.

The treatment of adjustment disorder can also involve SSRIs or benzodiazepines. However, the first-line treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy with the potential use of added medications.