A 28-year-old woman presents with depressed mood lasting for most days of the week for the past month. She also mentions that she has lost her appetite for the past 3 weeks. She adds that her job performance has significantly deteriorated because of these symptoms, and she feels like she will have to quit her job soon. Upon asking about her hobbies, she says that she used to enjoy dancing and music but does not have any desire to do them anymore. The patient’s husband says that she has had many sleepless nights last month. The patient denies any history of smoking, alcohol intake, or use of illicit substances. No significant past medical history. Physical examination is unremarkable. Routine laboratory tests are all within normal limits. Which of the following clinical features must be present, in addition to this patient’s current symptoms, to confirm the diagnosis of a major depressive episode?
AIntense fear of losing control
BLack of concentration
CWeight loss
DAnterograde amnesia
ENightmares
A mental health volunteer is interviewing locals as part of a community outreach program. A 46-year-old man discloses that he has felt sad for as long as he can remember. He feels as though his life is cursed and if something terrible can happen to him, it usually will. He has difficulty making decisions and feels hopeless. He also feels that he has had worsening suicidal ideations, guilt from past problems, decreased energy, and poor concentration over the past 2 weeks. He is otherwise getting enough sleep and able to hold a job. Which of the following statement best describes this patient's condition?
AThe patient may have symptoms of mania or psychosis.
BThe patient is likely to show anhedonia.
CThe patient likely has paranoid personality disorder.
DThe patient has double depression.
EThe patient should be started on an SSRI.
A 46-year-old male presents with his wife to his primary care provider for depression and strange movements. His wife reports that her husband has not been himself for the last two months. Whereas he was previously outgoing and “the life of the party,” the patient is now irritable and withdrawn. He is a partner at an accounting firm, but his colleagues are threatening his job if he continues to perform poorly at work. The patient cannot explain the recent changes to his mood and tearfully admits he fears there is something seriously wrong with him. His wife says that she thinks he is getting worse. The patient’s past medical history is significant for hypertension, for which he takes lisinopril. His family history is unknown as he was adopted. The patient met his mother once, and never knew his father but was told he died in his 50's. He drinks a few glasses of wine per week and has never smoked. On physical exam, the patient has a flat affect with facial grimace and sudden jerky movements of his upper extremities. Which of the following is most likely to be seen on further workup?
AAlpha-synuclein aggregates on brain biopsy
BDorsal striatum atrophy on head CT
CPositive 14-3-3 CSF assay
DNeurofibrillary tangles on brain biopsy
EFrontotemporal atrophy on head CT
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