Which mental health concern commonly emerges in early adulthood and is often linked to stress?

• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Anxiety or depressive disorders
• C. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• D. Schizophrenia

Answer: (B)

Stressful transitions in early adulthood—like finishing school, starting a career, and forming new relationships—often bring about mood and anxiety symptoms. Anxiety or depressive disorders capture that broad pattern, covering a range of clinically significant worries or low mood that commonly arise in response to these stressors. This broad category fits best because it acknowledges how stress can precipitate or intensify multiple related conditions during this life stage. While specific disorders like generalized anxiety disorder can occur, and ADHD or schizophrenia have their own typical onset patterns, the most accurate choice for a widespread, stress-linked problem in early adulthood is anxiety or depressive disorders.