According to DSM 5, the development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor(s) occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor(s) (A).
These symptoms or behaviors are clinically significant, as evidenced by one or both of the following (B):
- Marked distress that is out of proportion to the severity or intensity of the stressor, taking into account the external context and the cultural factors that might influence symptom severity and presentation.
- Significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The stress-related disturbance does not meet the criteria for another mental disorder and is not merely an exacerbation of a preexisting mental disorder (C).
The symptoms do not represent normal bereavement (D).
Once the stressor (or its consequences) has terminated, the symptoms do not persist for more than an additional 6 months (E).
Specify whether:
With depressed mood: Low mood, tearfulness, or feelings of hopelessness are predominant.
With anxiety: Nervousness, worry, jitteriness, or separation anxiety is predominant.
With mixed anxiety and depressed mood: A combination of depression and anxiety is predominant.
With disturbance of conduct: Disturbance of conduct is predominant.
With mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct: Both emotional symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) and a disturbance of conduct are predominant.
Unspecified: For maladaptive reactions that are not classifiable as one of the specific subtypes of adjustment disorder.