Adjustment Disorder Mix Disturbance Of Emotions & Conduct

An 18-year-old Marathi-speaking female student currently in 12th standard has been exhibiting behavioral and emotional difficulties for the past 1.5 years. According to her mother, the adolescent has shown increased socialization, frequent chatting with peers, and a tendency to conceal her activities, particularly on social media. She has developed a close relationship with a male classmate, which led to disciplinary involvement by school authorities and appears to have been a significant precipitating factor. Her behavior is characterized by overfamiliarity, manipulativeness, stubbornness, and defiance of parental authority. She frequently engages in arguments, displays irritability, and experiences emotional outbursts, including crying spells following interpersonal conflicts. Additionally, she exhibits demanding behavior, particularly for branded or luxurious items, and expresses dissatisfaction when her expectations are unmet. These patterns have led to ongoing familial conflict and concern.

Clinically, her presentation suggests features consistent with disruptive behavior and emotional dysregulation. A provisional diagnosis of Other Specified Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorder may be considered, given the oppositional traits, emotional reactivity, and interpersonal difficulties that do not fully meet criteria for Conduct Disorder. Alternatively, if the symptoms are linked to identifiable psychosocial stressors and show improvement with intervention, Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct and Emotions may be more appropriate. Emerging traits such as emotional instability, impulsivity, and interpersonal conflict may also warrant monitoring for potential borderline personality traits, though a formal diagnosis would require longitudinal assessment. At present, the adolescent is reported to be stable and manageable with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, indicating a positive response to treatment. Continued therapeutic support, family psychoeducation, and structured behavioral interventions are recommended to support her emotional development and relational functioning.