decompensation
(dē käm′pən sā′s̸hən)
noun
- failure of the heart muscle to compensate for a valvular or myocardial defect; heart failure
- Psychiatry failure of defense mechanisms to prevent a mental disorder
See decompensation in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun- Medicine Failure of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation, marked by labored breathing, engorged blood vessels, and edema.
- Psychology The inability to maintain defense mechanisms in response to stress, resulting in personality disturbance or psychological imbalance.
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