Question

a doctor diagnoses a patient with depression. which symptom most likely helped the doctor confirm this diagnosis?

• behaving recklessly on occasion
• decreasing use of alcohol
• feeling overwhelmed with intense guilt and anger.
• weight gain over the past year

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• "Behaving recklessly on occasion" is not a typical core symptom of depression. Reckless behavior can be associated with other conditions or just occasional poor judgment, not specific to depression.
• "Decreasing use of alcohol" is not a symptom of depression. In fact, some with depression may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, and decreased use is not indicative.
• "Feeling overwhelmed with intense guilt and anger" is a common symptom of depression. Depression often involves intense negative emotions like guilt (feeling undue responsibility or worthlessness) and anger (either internalized or externalized), along with feelings of being overwhelmed by these emotions.
• "Weight gain over the past year" can be a possible side effect of some depression treatments or a result of changes in lifestyle, but it is not a primary or most likely symptom to confirm a depression diagnosis. Weight changes (gain or loss) can occur, but they are not as specific or central as the emotional symptoms like intense guilt and anger.

Answer:

C. feeling overwhelmed with intense guilt and anger