Internet-based self-help

The intervention provided is based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (Bachem & Maercker, 2013). The manual integrates a variety of approaches validated as treatments for PTSD, anxiety disorders, or depression; the selection focuses on exercises which are intended to target the main symptoms of AjD, namely preoccupations (e.g. constant rumination, excessive worry about the stressor) and failure to adapt (e.g. sleep disturbance, difficulties concentrating, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities).

The ADNM-20 is a self-report assessment for adjustment disorder. It is aimed at adults who feel burdened by a critical life event.

The ADNM-20 consists of two parts: an event list for recording stress and an item list for recording the resulting symptoms. In the event list, all burdens during the last two years are recorded and the subjectively highest burdens are named. On the basis of the item list, preoccupations and mismatch, the main symptom groups of the adaptation disorder according to ICD-11, as well as the concomitant symptoms of avoidance, depressiveness, anxiety, impulse control problems and functional impairment are recorded.

The scale ranges from 0 (no stress) to 80 (high exposure).

The short version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) is an easily applicable, reliable and valid self-report measure in wide international use. It assesses the syndromes of somatisation, depression and anxiety by means of 6 items each.

The global factor ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 72 (high symptomatic burden).