Which of the following best describes adjustment disorder with depressed mood?

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood is characterized by the onset of depressive symptoms in response to a significant stressor or life change, such as a breakup, job loss, or other similar situations. This condition is not permanent and typically resolves once the individual has adapted to the new circumstances or the stressor has diminished.

The focus on a major stressor is crucial because the diagnosis hinges on the connection between the stressor and the emotional response. The presence of the stressor is what differentiates adjustment disorders from other mood disorders, indicating that the mood change is directly linked to external circumstances.

The other options do not accurately capture the defining features of adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The disorder is not permanent and unchanging, as indicated in the first choice, nor does it arise without stressors, which is the focus of the second choice. The last option references severe psychosis, which is not a characteristic of adjustment disorders since they are typically less severe and do not involve psychotic symptoms. Thus, the emphasis on the mood shift following a major stressor makes the correct answer stand out as it accurately encapsulates the condition.