Distressingly drastic (6)
I believe the answer is:
severe
(Other definitions for severe that I've seen before include "Austere, serious" , "Very bad" , "Formal - unsmiling" , "Taxing" , "Harsh and stern" .)
I believe the answer is:
severe
(Other definitions for severe that I've seen before include "Austere, serious" , "Very bad" , "Formal - unsmiling" , "Taxing" , "Harsh and stern" .)