"I was very sad, but not depressed": phenomenological differences between adjustment disorder and a major depressive episode.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Adjustment disorder (AD) is a diagnosis that must be differentiated from major depressive episode (MDE) because of the therapeutic implications. The aim of this study is to understand the experience of patients who in their lifetime have been diagnosed with AD as well as MDE to establish the characteristics of each disorder.

Methods

A descriptive phenomenological approach was used with in-depth interviews to four patients and the method proposed by Colaizzi to understand the experiences and reach the description of both disorders.

Results

Three women and one man, with advanced schooling were interviewed. The participants emphasized the existence of differences that were grouped in: the attribution made by the individual, the theme of cognitions, the varia

SUBMITTER: Zapata-Ospina JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10749326 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature