You are here

Adjustment Disorder E016

Document
Last amended 
17 March 2016
Current RMA Instruments:
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
23 of 2016
Balance of Probabilities SOP 24 of 2016
Changes from previous Instruments:

SOP Bulletin 188

ICD Coding:
  • ICD-9-CM: 309.0,309.1,309.24,309.28,309.3,309.4,309.9
  • ICD-10-AM: F43.2
Brief description

An adjustment disorder is a mental disorder that is a form of stress reaction to a one-off, recurrent, or ongoing stressor.  Key features are onset of the condition within 3 months of the onset of the stressor and resolution of the condition within 6 months after the stressor or its consequences have ceased.

Confirming the diagnosis

A report from a specialist psychiatrist that conforms with the Repatriation Commission’s Guidelines for Psychiatric Compensation Claims is required for diagnosis.

Additional diagnoses covered by the SOP
  • Nil
Conditions not covered by the SOP
  • Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition*
  • Depressive disorder due to another medical condition*

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Clinical onset must be within 3 months after the onset of the relevant stressor.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical anagement.  Given the nature of the condition, permanent worseing beyond the normal course is unlikely.  Specialist opinion would be required to establish that such worsening had occurred.