Browsing by Subject "maladaptiivinen reaktio"

Objectives. Adjustment disorder (AjD) is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. AjD is defined as a maladaptive reaction to an identifiable psychosocial stressor causing functional impairment and distress. Despite its high prevalence AjD has been underresearched being at least partly the result of the ill-defined diagnosis and the lack of reliable assessment tools. The aim of this thesis is to review the knowledge regarding AjD as diagnosis and its differences in relation to other mental disorders and to examine the psychological interventions that target AjD. Methods. The literature search for this review was made from electronic databases Scopus and PsycINFO and by using the search engine (Helka) of the University of Helsinki. The diagnostic and differential diagnostic knowledge regarding AjD was found out mainly from International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Results and conclusions. The diagnostic criteria of AjD is about to change along with the new, upcoming ICD-11. The two core symptoms of AjD are characterized as preoccupation and failure to adapt, which differentiate AjD from other mental disorders. Also due to the lack of empirical evidence the subtypes of AjD has been removed from the ICD-11, despite their existence in previous version of ICD. The amount of research regarding psychological interventions of AjD is relatively small and the best treatment approach remains unclear. Further research is needed to uncover the factors influencing the development and trajectory of AjD and to develop effective treatment approaches.