The diagnosis of Major Depression is not made during the first months of a grief reaction because:
A) it is too early to tell.
B) low mood and poor functioning are considered to be normal and culturally
Expected during grief.
C) the grief reaction is faith-based and the DSM does not deal with spiritual concerns.
D) women experience grief differently than men.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Low mood and poor functioning are considered to be normal and culturally expected during grief. It is important to distinguish between grief and depression in order to provide appropriate treatment and prevent the unnecessary use of medication. The DSM recognizes this distinction and specifies a minimum duration of two weeks of persistent low mood and other symptoms before a diagnosis of Major Depression can be made. Grief is a normal process of coping with loss and the expression of feelings related to this loss, while depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and inability to take pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed.

The Diagnosis of Major Depression Is Not Made During the First