Gayatri is a 40 years old woman who has reported to be having constant sleep problems, tiredness and weight issues. She is unable to think clearly and suffers from excessive guilt and feelings of worthlessness. She is withdrawn, moody and often has thoughts of death. What is Gayatri suffering from?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Major depressive disorder
Option (1) Depersonalisation — Incorrect. Depersonalisation is a feeling of unreality and estrangement from oneself, a feature of dissociative disorders. Gayatri’s problems are of mood, sleep and thought, not of feeling detached from herself.
Option (2) Major depressive disorder — Correct. It is defined as a period of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, with other symptoms such as change in body weight, constant sleep problems, tiredness, inability to think properly, and thoughts of death and suicide; other symptoms include excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness. Gayatri shows almost every one of them.
Option (3) Chronic fatigue — Incorrect. Chronic fatigue, weakness and low energy are signs of physical exhaustion in burnout under prolonged stress. Tiredness is only one of Gayatri’s symptoms; guilt, worthlessness and thoughts of death point to depression.
Option (4) Illness anxiety disorder — Incorrect. It is a persistent preoccupation with developing a serious illness and constant worry about that possibility. Gayatri does not fear an illness; her mood is low.
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.…” “Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders … Illness anxiety disorder involves persistent preoccupation about developing a serious illness and constantly worrying about this possibility. This is accompanied by anxiety about one’s health.…” “Dissociative Disorders … Dissociation involves feelings of unreality, estrangement, depersonalisation, and sometimes a loss or shift of identity.…” |