From the Research
Relationship Between Adjustment Disorder and Conduct Disorder
- The relationship between Adjustment Disorder and Conduct Disorder is complex and not fully understood, with some studies suggesting that they can co-occur or have similar symptoms 1, 2.
- A study from 1986 found that 31.6% of adolescent inpatients were conduct disordered, while 12.5% were adjustment disordered, suggesting that conduct disorders may be more prevalent in certain populations 1.
- Research has also shown that adolescents with conduct disorder tend to use more immature defense mechanisms, such as denial, compared to those with adjustment reactions 2.
- The diagnosis of adjustment disorder is often controversial and can be difficult to distinguish from other disorders, such as major depression or anxiety disorder 3, 4, 5.
- Some studies have suggested that adjustment disorder may be a distinct psychopathological entity, related to posttraumatic stress disorder, and that brief psychotherapy may be an effective treatment approach 5.
Comorbidity and Differential Diagnosis
- Adjustment disorder and conduct disorder can have similar symptoms, making differential diagnosis challenging 1, 2.
- Studies have shown that adjustment disorder can co-occur with other disorders, such as major depression or anxiety disorder, and that it may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed 4, 5.
- The use of defense mechanisms, such as denial or identification, can also be an important factor in distinguishing between adjustment disorder and conduct disorder 2.
Epidemiology and Prevalence
- Adjustment disorder is a relatively common diagnosis, with a significant rate of morbidity, but there is limited research on its epidemiology and prevalence 3, 4, 5.
- Studies have shown that adjustment disorder can occur in response to a range of stressful life events, including mobbing, burn-out, unemployment, divorce or separation, pregnancy denial, surgical operation, or cancer 4.
- The prevalence of adjustment disorder has been estimated to be around 12.5-19.4% in certain populations, although more research is needed to fully understand its epidemiology and prevalence 4.