Decompensation

Decompensation refers to a breakdown in our defense mechanisms, often triggered by stress or trauma (substance abuse, other major life events). It can cause significant decline in our normal functioning or a worsening of our psychiatric symptoms—including a loss of psychological defenses and inability to maintain healthy coping mechanisms. Symptoms can be increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, perceptual distortions, or behavioral changes. A person with PTSD who experiences a relatively stable period might decompensate if exposed to a triggering event, relapsing with severe symptoms like flashbacks.