Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

A 35-year-old woman whose husband died a month ago presents with insomnia and despair. What would be a likely DSM 5 diagnosis?

1. Major depressive disorder

2. Normal bereavement

3. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder

The correct answer is: Normal bereavement

In the context of this scenario, the presentation of insomnia and despair following the death of her husband suggests a reaction that could fall under normal bereavement. According to the DSM-5, the criteria for normal bereavement include a range of emotions often experienced after the loss of a loved one, such as sadness, insomnia, and despair, which can be considered part of the grieving process. It is crucial to recognize that normal bereavement acknowledges the profound emotional impact of loss while not meeting the criteria for a major mental health disorder. Since the woman is experiencing distress that is expected in the context of her recent loss, this diagnosis reflects a normal adaptive response to an intensely sad event, as opposed to a more severe and prolonged condition that would qualify for other diagnoses. In contrast, major depressive disorder would require symptoms to persist beyond the grieving period and typically involve a more pervasive and maladaptive level of function. For adjustment disorder with depressed mood, the symptoms would arise from a stressor that does not necessarily have to be related to death and would require symptoms that are more chronic, lasting for at least three months. Post-traumatic stress disorder involves symptoms related to traumatic experiences that lead to severe anxiety, which does not align with a normal bere