American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood starts within how many months of a stressful event?

1. 1 month

2. 2 months

3. 3 months

4. 6 months

The correct answer is: 3 months

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood typically develops in response to a recognizable stressor, and the symptoms manifest within three months of the onset of that stressor. This timeframe is essential for diagnosing adjustment disorders, as the primary feature is the relationship between the stressor and the onset of emotional or behavioral symptoms. The three-month period allows for a clear understanding of the symptoms as being a direct result of the stressor, differentiating adjustment disorder from other mood disorders that might occur independently of such events. If symptoms are still present after six months, a different diagnosis would be considered, as adjustment disorders are expected to improve as a person adjusts to the stressor or as the stressor resolves.