What is required for the diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder?

The correct answer is based on the criteria established in the DSM-5 for diagnosing Adjustment Disorder. According to these criteria, the symptoms must develop within 3 months of the onset of the stressor and must not persist beyond 6 months after the stressor or its consequences have ceased. Therefore, if symptoms continue beyond this 6-month period, the diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder may not be appropriate, as it would indicate a different or more chronic diagnosis could be considered.

In terms of understanding the context of the other options, the requirement for symptoms to resolve within 3 months of the stressor does not apply, as the symptoms are allowed to persist while the stressor is present but must not last longer than 6 months after the stressor ends. Symptoms persisting for more than 6 months contradicts the definition of Adjustment Disorder, suggesting that a different disorder may need to be diagnosed. Similarly, the notion that symptoms must be present for more than 3 months misunderstands the initial requirement, where symptoms must arise within that timeframe but do not require prolonged duration to confirm the diagnosis, as the focus is on the resolution timeline relative to the stressor.