A circuit arrangement and a method for operating an adjusting device (10, 11, 12) are proposed which ascertain a characteristic variable (38, 42) of the adjusting device (10, 11, 12) as a standard for the adjusting force or adjusting torque and if a limit value is exceeded furnish an overload signal (41, 45). According to the invention, the definition of the electrical power for the electric motor (10) is contemplated to a value that makes it possible to adhere to a specified spring rate in the event something becomes caught, which rate indicates the change in force referred to a change in travel distance. The adjustment travel of the part (12) to be adjusted is subdivided into travel intervals (I) which are considerably shorter than the total adjustment travel. The method evaluates a continuous change in the detected characteristic variable in a predetermined number of successive travel intervals (I) in order to ascertain an overload signal (41, 45). A preferred application of the circuit arrangement according to the invention and of the method according to the invention for operating an adjusting device (10, 11, 12) exists in a motor vehicle.