Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

What is the most likely DSM 5 diagnosis for a 55-year-old woman experiencing reduced appetite, weight loss, and feelings of despair after her husband's death?

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2. Major Depressive Episode

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

4. Adjustment Disorder

The correct answer is: Major Depressive Episode

The most likely DSM-5 diagnosis for a 55-year-old woman experiencing reduced appetite, weight loss, and feelings of despair after her husband's death is Major Depressive Episode. This diagnosis fits the described symptoms because a major depressive episode includes a range of emotional and physical symptoms, such as persistent sadness or low mood, changes in appetite or weight, and feelings of hopelessness or despair. In this context, following the significant life event of her husband's death, the woman exhibits several classic signs of depression. The combination of her reduced appetite, weight loss, and pervasive feelings of despair indicates that her emotional distress is severe enough to affect her daily functioning and quality of life. Major Depressive Episode can manifest in reaction to loss, and while grief can be a part of the adjustment process, the intensity and duration of the depressive symptoms suggest that they go beyond normal grieving. This aligns with the DSM-5 criteria, which states that a major depressive episode involves symptoms that last for at least two weeks and represent a change from previous functioning. The other potential diagnoses, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder, do not present symptoms as clearly aligned with her condition based on the information provided. Generalized Anxiety Disorder focuses more