Dear Colleagues,

Adjustment Disorder (AD) is a common but under-researched area of study with no specific diagnostic criteria. In DSM-5 it is regarded a sub-threshold disorder that cannot be diagnosed when the threshold for another disorder (either in respect to symptom duration or number) is met. This is anticipated to change when the ICD-11 is introduced in 2011, at which point it will be regarded as full threshold condition with its own specific diagnostic criteria. One of the controversies that arise in the context of AD is whether this is conflated with major depression, leading to an excess of false positives in the latter and, in turn, leading to an under-diagnosis of AD. Despite the shortcomings and debate about the diagnosis, it is one that has found huge utility in certain areas of clinical practice. 

In particular, liaison psychiatry is the setting where AD is the most common diagnosis. Included in this is the very high prevalence of the diagnosis in those presenting to the Emergency Departments of General Hospitals either with emotional crises or after episodes of self-harm.

This Special Issue will examine the prevalence of, and associated relationships with, a diagnosis of AD in a variety of diagnostic groups. These include AD in cancer patients, in those with myocardial infarcts, among transplant patients (of various organs), in those with chronic pain, with burn injuries, in perinatal psychiatry, and in a variety of other groups seen in non-psychiatric settings. AD in self-harm patients will also be considered. In many of these areas the number of quality studies will be limited, but it is important to highlight this deficiency and to identify areas for further research.    

This issue will also examine the diagnostic conundrums that are associated with an AD diagnosis, particularly with respect to the differentiation of AD from anxiety disorders and from major depression.

A range of papers will be considered including narrative and systematic reviews, RTCs, and observational studies.  All papers, even those papers that have been commissioned from experts in the area, will be subject to rigorous peer review.

Prof. Dr. Patricia Casey
Guest Editor

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• adjustment disorder
• adjustment disorder with anxiety
• adjustment disorder with depression
• adjustment disorder with other emotions (anger)
• diagnostic conundrums
• distinction from PTSD
• distinction from major depression
• distinction from anxiety