The most prescribed drugs for those suffering from ADs are anxiolytics, anti-depressants, and hypnotics. These drugs are focused on treating the symptoms of ADs. 

Most Commonly used Psychotropics  for Treating ADs

There is a surprisingly high amount of psychotropics used in patients with ADs considering its short lifespan (roughly six months) and it's nature as a reaction to stress. This is due in part to the fact that ADs often occur with other mental disorders. This is also a reflection of the recent trend amongst psychiatrists to prescribe greater amounts of psychotropic medication for all mental disorders. 

Amount of Psychotropics Used

Women often get prescribed antidepressants more than men. This could be due to the presentation and communication of symptoms although not enough research has been done to determine the true cause of the difference in treatment between men and women. 

Differences Between Men and Women with ADs and Psychotropics Used

Pharmacotherapy is when a disorder is treated with medication. The medications used are psychotropics which are any drugs or substances that affect how the brain may work. Pharmacotherapy is commonly used in combination with psychotherapy to treat ADs.

New York University

Treating adjustment disorders is very important. Intervention must come rapidly to prevent significant disturbances in the patient's life such as relationship disturbances or trouble functioning in social settings. When treating ADs specifically the aim is to restore the patient's mental health, identify the stressor, work on coping mechanisms, change their perspective on the stressor, and establish relationships to help deal with the stressor. 

Treating Adjustment Disorders 

Greiner, T., Haack, B., Toto, S. et al. Pharmacotherapy of psychiatric inpatients with adjustment disorder: current status and changes between 2000 and 2016. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 270, 107–117 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-019-01058-1 

Pharmacotherapy of psychiatric inpatients with adjustment disorder: current status and changes between 2000 and 2016

Carta, M.G., Balestrieri, M., Murru, A. et al. Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 5, 15 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-0179-5-15


Adjustment Disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment

Psychotherapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy is often the most favorable and most common treatment for Adjustment Disorders. It is more effective than no treatment (although there have been very few studies done with randomized control groups), and more effective than other forms of therapy.

Psychotherapy for Adjustment Disorders

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing or EMDR is a type of therapy. It can be used as a treatment for adjustment disorders as it leads to a decrease in symptoms for those diagnosed with ADs (specifically children and adolescents).

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