In simple words: Adjustment disorder is a condition where someone has a strong emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful life event, like a job loss or a death in the family.The reaction is usually more intense than what's expected, and it happens within three months of the event.It's different from normal sadness or grieving.

Adjustment disorder (F43.2) is a mental health condition characterized by an excessive emotional or behavioral response to an identifiable stressor.Symptoms typically emerge within three months of the stressor and are disproportionate to its severity.The disorder is not a normal grief reaction and is not directly caused by another mental disorder.Various subtypes exist, including those with depressed mood, anxiety, mixed anxiety and depressed mood, or other specified symptoms.The duration of symptoms generally mirrors the persistence of the stressor.

Example 1: A 25-year-old woman experiences an adjustment disorder with depressed mood following a job loss. She presents with persistent sadness, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal., A 50-year-old man develops an adjustment disorder with anxiety after a sudden and unexpected death in his family. He experiences excessive worry, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and panic attacks. , A 16-year-old adolescent experiences an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood following a traumatic bullying incident.Symptoms include anxiousness, sadness, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite.

Detailed documentation should include a clear description of the stressor, onset of symptoms, the patient's reaction, symptom severity, differential diagnosis, and treatment plan.A mental status exam and psychosocial history are also necessary.

** Consider the possibility of comorbid disorders.Adjustment disorders can coexist with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders or depression.