In the following, which is not a sign of depression?

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

Hopefulness is a state of positive expectation for the future.
This is the direct opposite of hopelessness, which is a cardinal symptom of depression.
The cognitive triad of depression includes hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness.
Therefore, being hopeful is inconsistent with a diagnosis of depression and is instead a sign of mental well-being.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is a core and defining symptom of major depressive disorder.
Option B: The term 'Quit' implies giving up, which is a common behavioral manifestation of depression, stemming from feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and fatigue.
Option C: Helplessness is a central cognitive distortion in depression, where an individual believes they have no control over their life or circumstances.

Related Visual

A chart listing the key symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, categorized into affective e.g., depressed mood, anhedonia, cognitive e.g., hopelessness, helplessness, worthle...

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Signs and Symptoms of Depression as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the signs of depression is a critical nursing skill for early detection, referral, and intervention.
Nurses must assess for all key symptoms, including anhedonia, helplessness, and hopelessness, as they are linked to suicide risk.
Patient education should focus on explaining that depression is a treatable medical illness and that feelings of hopelessness can be resolved with therapy and/or medication.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question. The key terms are 'not' and 'sign of depression'.
This is a negative-lead question, meaning you need to find the option that does NOT fit the category.
Evaluate each option individually to determine if it is a recognized symptom or sign of depression.
Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is a core symptom. Mark it as a sign of depression.
Helplessness is a core cognitive feature. Mark it as a sign of depression.
Consider 'Quit' as 'giving up', a behavior seen in depression. Mark it as related to depression.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Stem keywords: sign, depression
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: Question asks to identify the option that is NOT a sign of depression.

Question ID

Q0q7YgmtRZV1P2VcP_ZTen

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 3861-3863, 2566-2568

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 191-193

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