MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 99: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 99

9. A physician is attempting to diagnose a patient's mental disorder based on a set of symptoms. The confirmed symptoms currently include appetite disturbance, substantial weight change, decreased energy, a feeling of worthlessness, and excessive guilt. What two disorders could these symptoms indicate?

  • A. Major depressive and bipolar disorders
  • B. Dissociative amnesia and depersonalization/derealization disorder
  • C. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
  • D. Specific phobia and panic disorder

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The symptoms listed indicate depression. However, depression can also be a part of bipolar disorders, which also contain manic episodes. Thus, if manic episodes have not yet been asked about, one cannot choose depression or bipolar disorder as the correct diagnosis yet.

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