[New diagnostic concept of adjustment disorders in psychosomatic outpatients--symptom severity, willingness to change, psychotherapy motivation].
OBJECTIVE
Adjustment disorders (AD) represent a frequently diagnosed type of disorder for which scientific interest has been limited because of insufficient diagnostic criteria. This study presents a concept comprising cognitive, behavioural, and emotional criteria (ADNM) which investigates differences in symptom severity, willingness to change, and motivation for psychotherapy in subjects with adjustment disorders.


METHODS
331 outpatients were examined with a number of tools (ADNM, SCL-90-R, FPTM-23, FEVER). The ADNM is evaluated on the basis of theoretical assumptions and divides the sample into subjects with elevated and normal scores.


RESULTS
The sample comprised patients with elevated scores (61%) and normal scores (39%).Subjects with AD scored higher on depression, anxiety, and impulsivity as well as exhibiting elevated scores on the SCL-90-R, for contemplation/action, and for psychotherapy motivation.


CONCLUSIONS
The ADNM identifies patients experiencing stress. Further longitudinal studies should examine whether patients more frequently enter psychotherapy or not.
Dannemann
Stephanie
S
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden. stephanie.dannemann@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Einsle
Franziska
F
Kämpf
Franziska
F
Joraschky
Peter
P
Maercker
Andreas
A
Weidner
Kerstin
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D055815:Young Adult