Authors

• Author Name : Rehna Rahim Affiliation : B.H.M.S., M.D. (Hom.) Scholar, Department of Psychiatry, Vinayaka Missions Homoeopathic Medical College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Author
• Author Name : Lalithaa K.S Affiliation : B.H.M.S., M.D. (Hom.) Psychiatry, Ph.D. (Homoeopathy), Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Vinayaka Mission's Homoeopathic Medical College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Author
• Author Name : Sakthi Silvan Affiliation : B.H.M.S., M.D. (Hom.) Scholar, Department of Psychiatry, Vinayaka Mission's Homoeopathic Medical College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Author
• Author Name : Revathi Ravikumar Affiliation : B.H.M.S., M.Sc. (Psychology), M.D. (Hom.) Scholar, Department of Psychiatry, Vinayaka Mission's Homoeopathic Medical College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Author

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Abstract

Stress is an inevitable aspect of life and plays a central role in the development of psychological disturbances. While most individuals adapt successfully to stressful life events, some develop maladaptive emotional and behavioural responses that interfere with functioning resulting in adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder occupies an intermediate position between normal adaptive stress reactions and major psychiatric conditions and is characterized by a close temporal relationship with identifiable psychosocial stressors. Despite its high prevalence in clinical practice, the condition remains conceptually complex, with diagnostic challenges and limited consensus regarding optimal treatment strategies.

This narrative review examines the concepts of stress and adjustment disorder from psychological and psychiatric perspectives and explores the scope of homoeopathy as a complementary therapeutic approach. Relevant literature from psychiatry, psychology, psychosomatic medicine, and homoeopathy was reviewed to understand stress appraisal, coping mechanisms, diagnostic considerations, and available management strategies. Psychological interventions remain central to the treatment of adjustment disorder, while pharmacological approaches have limited and inconsistent evidence and are generally used selectively.

Homoeopathy with its emphasis on individualisation and mind body integration, conceptually aligns with psychological principles of person centred care and may support adaptive adjustment in stress related conditions. This review highlights the potential value of an integrated psychological and homoeopathic perspective in addressing adjustment disorder, while emphasizing the need for further methodologically robust research to establish evidence-based integrative models of care.