Which statement best describes an individual who should consult a doctor for a psychological disorder?

• A. An individual who feels happy and energetic after receiving good news.
• B. An individual who experiences persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities for several weeks, interfering with daily functioning.
• C. An individual who feels disappointed after failing a test but quickly recovers and continues studying.
• D. An individual who occasionally feels nervous before public speaking but can manage the anxiety.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key characteristics of psychological disorders, which often include persistent symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, such as prolonged sadness, loss of interest, or significant distress.
2. Step 2: Identify the duration and impact of symptoms. Psychological disorders typically involve symptoms lasting for several weeks or more and causing noticeable impairment in daily life.
3. Step 3: Evaluate each statement by checking if the described feelings are temporary and manageable or persistent and disruptive.
4. Step 4: Recognize that feeling happy after good news or temporary disappointment that resolves quickly are normal emotional responses and do not usually require medical consultation.
5. Step 5: Conclude that an individual experiencing persistent sadness and loss of interest for several weeks, which interferes with daily functioning, fits the criteria for consulting a doctor about a psychological disorder.