Ayesha, a 16 year old happy go lucky girl, lost her pet in a road accident. Overnight this chirpy girl became withdrawn, quiet, prone to crying and having sleepless nights. She also slowly started gaining weight and stopped taking her friends’ phone calls. What is Ayesha suffering from?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Depressive disorder
Option (1) Phobia — Incorrect. People with phobias have irrational fears related to specific objects, people or situations, such as a lift or a lizard. Ayesha shows no fear of anything; she is sad and withdrawn after a loss.
Option (2) Separation Anxiety disorder — Incorrect. Here a person is fearful and anxious about separation from attachment figures to an extent that is not appropriate for her or his age. Ayesha’s pet has died; her state is one of low mood, not of anxiety about being parted from someone.
Option (3) Depressive disorder — Correct. Major depressive disorder is a period of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, with symptoms such as change in body weight, constant sleep problems, tiredness and feelings of worthlessness. After losing her pet, Ayesha became withdrawn and tearful, lost sleep, gained weight and stopped taking her friends’ calls.
Option (4) Conduct disorder — Incorrect. Conduct disorder means age-inappropriate actions and attitudes that violate family expectations, societal norms and the rights of others: aggression, property damage, theft, serious rule violations. Ayesha harms no one; she has turned inward.
NCERT (2025-26): “Depressive Disorders … Major depressive disorder is defined as a period of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, together with other symptoms which may include change in body weight, constant sleep problems, tiredness, inability to think clearly, agitation, greatly slowed behaviour, and thoughts of death and suicide. Other symptoms include excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness.…” “Anxiety Disorders … These kinds of fears are termed as phobias. People who have phobias have irrational fears related to specific objects, people, or situations.…” “…Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is another type of anxiety disorder. Individuals with separation anxiety disorder are fearful and anxious about separation from attachment figures to an extent that is developmentally not appropriate.…” “Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders … The terms conduct disorder and antisocial behaviour refer to age-inappropriate actions and attitudes that violate family expectations, societal norms, and the personal or property rights of others.…” |