Which disorder is characterized by anxiety occurring within three months of an identifiable stressor?

The disorder characterized by anxiety occurring within three months of an identifiable stressor is adjustment disorder. This condition arises as a response to a specific stressful event or situation, which may include anything from a significant life change, such as divorce or job loss, to a more severe stressor like illness or the death of a loved one. The anxiety symptoms in adjustment disorder are directly linked to the stressor, and if the stressor is removed or after the individual adapts, the symptoms often lessen or resolve.

In contrast, generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life without a specific identifiable stressor. Panic disorder is marked by recurrent panic attacks that are unexpected and often occur without any obvious triggers. Social anxiety disorder, on the other hand, revolves around significant anxiety in social situations due to fear of being judged or embarrassed, again without a direct link to a recent identifiable stressor. Each of these other disorders has its own distinct features and timelines for the onset of symptoms, differentiating them from adjustment disorder, which is specifically tied to a stressor that has occurred recently.