decompensation

[ dee-kom-puh n-sey-shuh n ]
/ ˌdi kɒm pənˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

Medicine/Medical. the inability of a diseased heart to compensate for its defect.
Psychology. a loss of ability to maintain normal or appropriate psychological defenses, sometimes resulting in depression, anxiety, or delusions.

Origin of decompensation

First recorded in 1900–05; de- + compensation

Example sentences from the Web for decompensation

British Dictionary definitions for decompensation

decompensation
/ (diːˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən) /

noun

pathol inability of an organ, esp the heart, to maintain its function due to overload caused by a disease

Medical definitions for decompensation

decompensation
[ dē′kŏm-pən-sāshən ]

n.

Failure of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation, marked by labored breathing, engorged blood vessels, and edema.
The appearance or exacerbation of a mental disorder due to failure of defense mechanisms.