Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

According to DSM-5 criteria, how many symptoms are required to diagnose Depression within a two-week period?

1. 3 of 8 symptoms

2. 5 of 8 symptoms

3. 6 of 8 symptoms

4. 4 of 8 symptoms

The correct answer is: 5 of 8 symptoms

The correct answer emphasizes that a diagnosis of depression, specifically Major Depressive Disorder, requires the presence of five or more symptoms from a specified list within a two-week period. These symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning and must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. In the DSM-5, the symptoms include, but are not limited to, persistent sad or low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, significant weight change, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Not every symptom is necessary; rather, experiencing five or more of this grouping is crucial for diagnosis. The other options diverge from this established criterion by suggesting either a lower or higher threshold of symptoms, which does not align with the DSM-5 standards for the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Thus, understanding the specific requirement of five symptoms is fundamental to correctly applying the diagnostic criteria in clinical practice.