Adjustment Disorder in People Navigating Divorce or Separation

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Zurich: 18.2% full ICD-11 AjD after divorce/separation as worst stressor; n very small
Is it more common among people navigating divorce or separation? One of the most characteristic precipitating life events
Are people navigating divorce or separation at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? Conditional full AjD 18.2% after divorce/separation in Zurich high-risk sample, n=11
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among people navigating divorce or separation? Very Strong Yes
How might it look different? Rumination/preoccupation with ex-partner or separation, impaired work/sleep/social functioning, inability to adapt to new routines/identity; distinguish normal breakup distress
What commonly occurs alongside it? Depression; anxiety; substance use
What can it be confused with? Normal breakup distress; MDD; PTSD; prolonged grief-like reaction
Common screening tool ADNM-20 — Adjustment Disorder–New Module-20
Separate screening tool for people navigating divorce or separation None
1 of 14