Which symptom involves persistent negative self-perception or excessive guilt?

Which symptom involves persistent negative self-perception or excessive guilt?

• A. Insomnia or hypersomnia
• B. Anhedonia
• C. Feelings of worthlessness/excessive guilt
• D. Functional Impairment

Answer: (C)

This item tests a cognitive symptom seen in depressive episodes: a persistent negative view of oneself and excessive guilt. When someone feels worthless or guilty beyond what the situation warrants, it reflects a distorted self-evaluation and moral self-judgment that is characteristic of depression. This kind of self-schema—the idea that one is inherently bad or unworthy—drives ongoing distress and can occur even if mood or energy are not the only presenting issues. Sleep problems (insomnia or hypersomnia) and loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) are common features of depression, but they describe different domains—sleep regulation and reward processing—rather than the specifically negative self-perception or guilt. Functional impairment denotes the impact on day-to-day functioning, which often accompanies depression but is not the particular cognitive symptom highlighted by persistent worthlessness or excessive guilt.

This item tests a cognitive symptom seen in depressive episodes: a persistent negative view of oneself and excessive guilt. When someone feels worthless or guilty beyond what the situation warrants, it reflects a distorted self-evaluation and moral self-judgment that is characteristic of depression. This kind of self-schema—the idea that one is inherently bad or unworthy—drives ongoing distress and can occur even if mood or energy are not the only presenting issues.

Sleep problems (insomnia or hypersomnia) and loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) are common features of depression, but they describe different domains—sleep regulation and reward processing—rather than the specifically negative self-perception or guilt. Functional impairment denotes the impact on day-to-day functioning, which often accompanies depression but is not the particular cognitive symptom highlighted by persistent worthlessness or excessive guilt.