Which assessment data would indicate maladaptive stress in a patient?

Which assessment data would indicate maladaptive stress in a patient?

• A. Persistent anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, somatic complaints, poor appetite, maladaptive coping such as substance use or withdrawal.
• B. Sleep disturbances and poor appetite only.
• C. Normal mood with no distress.
• D. Excess energy and improved appetite.

Answer: (A)

Maladaptive stress shows a sustained pattern of distress that affects multiple areas of functioning, not just one symptom. When assessment data reveal persistent anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, somatic complaints, and poor appetite, plus coping behaviors that worsen the situation such as using substances or withdrawing, you’re seeing a stress response that has become counterproductive. This combination signals the body's stress systems are not adapting to the challenge and are contributing to ongoing impairment in daily life. If you only have sleep disturbances and poor appetite, that can be part of stress but isn’t enough on its own to indicate maladaptive coping. A normal mood with no distress does not reflect maladaptive stress at all. Excess energy and improved appetite suggest something other than maladaptive stress (for example, a mood elevation) and thus do not fit the pattern.

Maladaptive stress shows a sustained pattern of distress that affects multiple areas of functioning, not just one symptom. When assessment data reveal persistent anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, somatic complaints, and poor appetite, plus coping behaviors that worsen the situation such as using substances or withdrawing, you’re seeing a stress response that has become counterproductive. This combination signals the body's stress systems are not adapting to the challenge and are contributing to ongoing impairment in daily life.

If you only have sleep disturbances and poor appetite, that can be part of stress but isn’t enough on its own to indicate maladaptive coping. A normal mood with no distress does not reflect maladaptive stress at all. Excess energy and improved appetite suggest something other than maladaptive stress (for example, a mood elevation) and thus do not fit the pattern.