Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 57
A 34-year-old woman is admitted for treatment of depression. Which of these symptoms would the nurse be least likely to find in the initial assessment?
A. Inability to make decisions
B. Feelings of hopelessness
C. Family history of depression
D. Increased interest in sex
Correct Answer: D. Increased interest in sex.
Interest in sex is markedly decreased in depression. The two “core” symptoms of depression are low mood and loss of interest in activities. In addition to those, people may also experience changes in appetite, trouble sleeping, tiredness, feelings of guilt, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of death. The symptoms of depression may be different in different people. So while one person may struggle to get out of bed, someone else might be able to go to work every day without coworkers noticing anything unusual.
Option A: Indecisiveness and fear of being wrong are common in depression. Both major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder involve difficulty concentrating and making decisions. People with depression may recognize this in themselves, or others around them may notice that they’re struggling to think clearly.
Option B: Depression creates feelings that nothing will ever improve. A person with a depressed mood may report feeling sad or “empty,” or may cry frequently. Having a low mood is one of the two core symptoms which is used to diagnose depression. People with PDD experience a depressed mood more days than not for at least two years. As with MDD, children with PDD may appear more irritable than depressed. However, for a PDD diagnosis, they must experience this for at least one year.
Option C: The risk of depression is increased when there is a family history. A family history of depression is another significant risk factor. You are more likely to experience symptoms of depression if others in your family also have depression or another type of mood disorder. Estimates suggest that depression is approximately 40% determined by genetics.