Adjustment disorder is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in the armed forces, with a prevalence of 25–38% in those seen in the military psychiatric services, although PTSD has received far more attention in that setting. The military environment is characterized not just by the risk of exposure to major stressors during deployments, but also by a disciplined environment in which individuals lose some of their abilities to make choices regarding their environment or changes in their social milieu. It is also characterized by stoical attitudes that discourage displays of mental suffering....

Adjustment disorder is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in the armed forces, with a prevalence of 25–38% in those seen in the military psychiatric services, although PTSD has received far more attention in that setting. The military environment is characterized not just by the risk of exposure to major stressors during deployments, but also by a disciplined environment in which individuals lose some of their abilities to make choices regarding their environment or changes in their social milieu. It is also characterized by stoical attitudes that discourage displays of mental suffering. Young people, removed from the buffering effects of social support in their home environment, may not find alternative sources of confiding support readily available. Problem-solving and stress management strategies are the current main ingredients of management, and the condition carries a good prognosis for a return to work. However, there is a paucity of published research work.