Dr. Griffiths diagnosed Manuel with major depressive disorder because he ________.

• A. has experienced a persistent depressed mood and loss of interest in activities for at least two weeks
• B. exhibits delusions and hallucinations
• C. has difficulty recalling important personal information after a traumatic event
• D. shows alternating periods of mania and depression

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) according to the DSM-5, which requires the presence of a persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities for at least two weeks.
2. Review each option and compare it to the core symptoms of MDD: persistent depressed mood and anhedonia (loss of interest).
3. Recognize that exhibiting delusions and hallucinations is more characteristic of psychotic disorders or severe mood disorders with psychotic features, not the core criteria for MDD.
4. Note that difficulty recalling important personal information after a traumatic event aligns more with dissociative amnesia, not MDD.
5. Identify that alternating periods of mania and depression describe bipolar disorder, which is distinct from MDD.