Adjustment Disorder in Children

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Older community estimates around ~4%, but based on older criteria
Is it more common among children? Adjustment reactions are clinically important because school/family/developmental stressors differ
Are children at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among children? Strong Yes
How might it look different? Behavioural problems, regression, school refusal, somatic symptoms, irritability; stressor often family/school/illness-related
What commonly occurs alongside it? Anxiety; depression; behavioural disorders
What can it be confused with? Normal developmental response; anxiety; depression; PTSD
Common screening tool Clinical/developmental assessment for Adjustment Disorder
Separate screening tool for children No well-established child-specific AjD self-screen
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