Unusual for people with adjustment disorder to commit violent acts … – The Straits Times

SINGAPORE While those with adjustment disorder may experience difficulties going about their daily tasks, the impairment rarely leads to them turning violent, said mental health experts.

Dr Steve Lee, an associate consultant at the department of mood and anxiety at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), said adjustment disorder is a psychological condition that occurs when an individual has difficulty coping with stressors or major life changes.

It is characterised by emotional and behavioural manifestations that develop after the start of the stressful event, and which significantly affect the persons daily life functioning. Stressors include divorce, financial difficulties, interpersonal conflicts and physical health problems.

Someone with the disorder might feel sad, worry excessively and have difficulty concentrating. But most of them experience internal distress and do not turn aggressive, said Dr Lee.

In rare cases, if the stressor leads to extreme distress and the individual lacks healthy coping mechanisms, there may be a small risk of aggressive behaviour. However, this is an atypical response and not a common outcome of adjustment disorder.

David Brian Chow Kwok-Hun, who was convicted of culpable homicide and jailed for seven years on Oct 26, 2023, after stabbing his pregnant wife on Jan 11, 2022, had adjustment disorder diagnosed.

He had lost sleep and was overwhelmed with stress after he was given a set of unusually low financial figures by an employee.

Days after, he developed suicidal thoughts and hoped that by killing Ms Isabel Elizabeth Francis and their unborn daughter, they would go to heaven instead of suffering shame.

Chows defence lawyers said his condition led to catastrophic thinking, and severely impaired his rational judgment and ability to appreciate the nature and consequences of his actions.

Dr Lee said adjustment disorder is a relatively common mental health condition, adding that around 5 per cent to 20 per cent of people who seek mental health treatment worldwide may receive the diagnosis.

Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Hospital, typically sees 10 patients a month with the disorder.

He said it is unusual for someone with the disorder to go to such extremes, but some behaviour can be unpredictable.

When a person is labouring under mental health issues, their better judgment can be impaired. Their rationality may not be at 100 per cent, and sometimes they may adopt nihilistic perspectives (for example, extreme pessimism), he added.

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Unusual for people with adjustment disorder to commit violent acts ... - The Straits Times