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).
These symptoms or behaviors are
clinically significant as evidenced by either of the following:
-
marked distress that is in excess of
what would be expected from exposure to the stressor
-
significant impairment in social,
occupational or educational functioning
The stress-related disturbance does not
meet the criteria for another specific disorder. Once the stressor (or
its consequences) has terminated, the symptoms do not persist for
more than an additional 6 months.
Criteria summarized
from:
American Psychiatric
Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric
Association.
