A patient presents with an emotional response to a stressor that occurred 3 months ago. Which diagnosis is appropriate?

Adjustment Disorder is characterized by emotional or behavioral symptoms that emerge in response to a specific stressor, occurring within three months of the onset of that stressor. The symptoms can include anxiety, depression, or impaired functioning, and they typically resolve when the stressor is addressed or when the individual adapts.

In this scenario, the patient exhibits an emotional response to a stressor that occurred three months ago, fitting the criteria for Adjustment Disorder. The timeframe of symptoms aligning closely with the stressor is a defining feature of this diagnosis.

In contrast, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder would require symptoms to persist for more than one month following exposure to a traumatic event, with possible symptoms like reliving the trauma, avoidance behavior, and heightened arousal. Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves more chronic and overarching anxiety not necessarily linked to a specific event, and Acute Stress Disorder also requires symptoms to occur within three days to four weeks post-trauma. Therefore, the details provided in the question align best with the criteria for Adjustment Disorder.