Dr. Griffiths diagnosed Manuel with major depressive disorder because he,
Select one:
a. appears tearful to others and spends weeks at a time feeling sad, empty, and hopeless
b. refuses to leave his room due to anxiety over what might happen during the day
c. exhibits three separate personalities, each distinct from the other
d. hates being outside the home alone
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
a. appears tearful to others and spends weeks at a time feeling sad, empty, and hopeless
Explanation:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), also known as clinical depression, is a serious mood disorder characterized by a persistently low or depressed mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. To be diagnosed with MDD, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks and represent a change from previous functioning.
Option A is correct because it describes hallmark features of MDD. Manuel is tearful, which suggests emotional instability, and he experiences prolonged periods of feeling sad, empty, and hopeless. These are classic emotional symptoms of MDD. Additional symptoms of MDD may include changes in appetite, sleep disturbances (either insomnia or hypersomnia), fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Let’s briefly examine why the other choices are incorrect:
- Option B: “refuses to leave his room due to anxiety over what might happen during the day” — This behavior is more indicative of anxiety disorders, possibly agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.
- Option C: “exhibits three separate personalities, each distinct from the other” — This reflects Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder. DID involves the presence of two or more distinct personality states and is not a symptom of MDD.
- Option D: “hates being outside the home alone” — Again, this suggests agoraphobia or another type of anxiety disorder, not depression.
In summary, Option A correctly identifies symptoms that meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, making it the best choice. Proper diagnosis is crucial for selecting the appropriate treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.