Which of the following is a defining feature of adjustment disorder?

Which of the following is a defining feature of adjustment disorder?

• A. Symptoms persist for at least 6 months regardless of stressor.
• B. Psychotic features must be present.
• C. Symptoms must include hospitalization.
• D. Emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to identifiable stressor occurring within 3 months of onset, out of proportion or distress, and impairment.

Answer: (D)

Adjustment disorder is defined by an emotional or behavioral reaction to an identifiable stressor that begins within a short period (within 3 months) of the stressor and is out of proportion to the stressor or causes significant distress and impairment in functioning. The option that states this exact pattern—emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor occurring within 3 months of onset, and out of proportion or distress with impairment—fits the DSM-5 criteria. The other statements don’t capture the defining features: one describes a fixed 6-month duration regardless of the stressor, which isn’t how adjustment disorder is characterized; another mentions psychotic features; and the last requires hospitalization.

Adjustment disorder is defined by an emotional or behavioral reaction to an identifiable stressor that begins within a short period (within 3 months) of the stressor and is out of proportion to the stressor or causes significant distress and impairment in functioning. The option that states this exact pattern—emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor occurring within 3 months of onset, and out of proportion or distress with impairment—fits the DSM-5 criteria.

The other statements don’t capture the defining features: one describes a fixed 6-month duration regardless of the stressor, which isn’t how adjustment disorder is characterized; another mentions psychotic features; and the last requires hospitalization.