Many individuals develop emotional or behavior problems following other stressful live events that are not included in the diagnoses of PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder. Examples of these types of stressors include marital problems, a relationship break-up or divorce, job-related difficulties or losing a job, illnesses that lead to increasing levels of disability, living in areas of high crime, etc.

Adjustment disorders are diagnosed when symptoms that develop in response to these types of events involve marked distress that is greater than expected and also lead to impairment in important areas of functioning. Adjustment disorder reactions can involve predominant feelings of anxiety and/or depression, as well as changes in conduct.