Adjustment Disorder
Psychiatrymedium
A 10-year-old boy whose family recently moved to a new city feels down and has difficulty making friends since starting his new school two weeks ago. He has no anhedonia, sleep, or appetite disturbance. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A.Adjustment disorderCorrect
- B.Persistent depressive disorder
- C.Major depressive disorder
- D.Bipolar disorder, hypomanic episode
Explanation
Emotional symptoms emerging within three months of an identifiable stressor such as relocation, without meeting full criteria for another disorder, define adjustment disorder. Persistent depressive disorder requires at least a year of symptoms in children, and major depression requires a fuller symptom set.
Why each option
- A.
- Symptoms tied to a recent stressor without full criteria indicate adjustment disorder.
- B.
- Persistent depressive disorder requires a year of symptoms in youth.
- C.
- Major depression needs additional core neurovegetative symptoms.
- D.
- Hypomania involves elevated mood and increased energy, not low mood.
Reference: DSM-5-TR, 2022
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