Stress disorders in form of adjustment disorder and burnout syndrom are highly prevalent and cause substantial suffering. Prior evidence suggest that these disorders may be effectively treated with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), but access to psychological treatment is limited. One possible solution is to provide therapy via the Internet, which has been shown to be effective for anxiety disorders and depression. In the present study, we will investigate the efficacy of Internet-based CBT (ICBT) for adjustment disorders and burnout syndrom in a randomized controlled trial (N=100). Participants will be randomized to active treatment (n=50) or a control condition on waiting list.

Stress disorders in form of adjustment disorder and burnout syndrom are highly prevalent and cause substantial suffering. Prior evidence suggest that these disorders may be effectively treated with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), but access to psychological treatment is limited. One possible solution is to provide therapy via the Internet, which has been shown to be effective for anxiety disorders and depression. Internet-based CBT can be described as online bibliotherapy with therapist support via a secure messaging system. In this study psychologists will deliver the treatment. We will investigate the efficacy of Internet-based CBT (ICBT) for adjustment disorder and burnout syndrom in a randomized controlled trial (N=100). Participants will be randomized to active treatment (n=50) or a control condition on waiting list. We expect that participants who receive ICBT will make superior improvements compared to the control condition on measures of stress, burnout, depressive symptoms, general anxiety and general functioning.

Inclusion Criteria:

To be included in the study participants must be between 18 and 65 years of age and suffer from primary stress-related disorders by meeting diagnostic criteria for adjustment disorder or burnout syndrome. Participants must have access to a computer and to the Internet, as well as being able to write and write in Swedish.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria include (a) meeting the criteria for another axis-1 diagnosis that is assessed to be the primary area of difficulty, (b) suffering from substance abuse/dependence in the past 6 months, (c) suffering from current or past psychosis or bipolar disorder, (d) moderate to high suicide risk, (e) initiated or changed pharmachological treatment for depression or anxiety in the past month and (f) other on-going psychological treatment for stress-related difficulties, and (g) not having received CBT for stress-related ill-health in the past year.