LMCC/Adjustment Disorder

Diagnosis

 * emotional/behavioural symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor occuring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor
 * sypmtoms consist of either:
 * 1) marked distress in excess of what would be expected from exposure to the stressor
 * 2) significant impairment in social/occupational functioning
 * once the stressor has terminated, the symptoms do not persist for more than an additional 6 months
 * common stressors include: termination of romantic relationships, marital problems, job-related stressors, developmental events (ie. leaving home, becoming a parent, retirement)

Treatment

 * brief psychotherapy
 * crisis intervention
 * medications
 * benzodiazepine may be used for those with anxiety symptoms
 * SSRI's may be used for those with both anxiety and depression symptoms