Which disorder is included in the nine anxiety disorders and relates to adjustment to stressors?

• A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• B. Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
• C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing a reaction to a stressor that is clearly tied to adjustment. Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety is when a person develops anxiety in response to an identifiable stressor, within a short time frame, and the anxiety causes clinically significant distress or impairment. The key is that the symptoms are specifically in response to the stressor and are not better explained by another disorder, making this the best fit for “adjustment to stressors.”

Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves chronic, pervasive worry across many domains not linked to a single stressor. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder centers on exposure to a traumatic event with intrusion symptoms and lasting changes in mood and arousal. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is driven by obsessions and/or compulsions. So, the presentation that most directly reflects adjustment to stressors with anxiety as the primary symptom is Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety.