decompensation

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English compensation English decompensation From de- + compensation.

1. The inability of a diseased or weakened organic system or organ to compensate for its deficiency, resulting in functional deterioration.

   “Once it was determined that hyperthyroidism was the probable etiology of her cardiac decompensation, the next step was treatment of the underlying disease.”

2. The deterioration of cognitive or emotional functionality in a person who is distressed or who suffers from a psychological disorder.

   “A varying percentage of our combat soldiers reach the limit of their endurance and must leave their foxholes, not for physical wounds but because of emotional decompensation.”