Which symptom indicates distress or impairment in functioning?

Which symptom indicates distress or impairment in functioning?

• A. Not attributable to substances
• B. Recurrent Thoughts of Death
• C. Functional Impairment
• D. Anhedonia

Answer: (C)

Distress or impairment in functioning is shown when symptoms actually interfere with daily life. The thing that directly signals this is functional impairment itself—when someone’s symptoms disrupt work, relationships, self-care, or other important activities, that indicates clinically significant distress or impairment. The other options point to different ideas: Not attributable to substances is about ruling out a substance-related cause, not about the level of functioning. Recurrent thoughts of death describe a suicidal ideation symptom, which may cause distress but isn’t by itself the measure of impairment. Anhedonia describes a loss of pleasure or interest, a symptom that can occur in many conditions but does not by itself confirm impairment in functioning.

Distress or impairment in functioning is shown when symptoms actually interfere with daily life. The thing that directly signals this is functional impairment itself—when someone’s symptoms disrupt work, relationships, self-care, or other important activities, that indicates clinically significant distress or impairment.

The other options point to different ideas: Not attributable to substances is about ruling out a substance-related cause, not about the level of functioning. Recurrent thoughts of death describe a suicidal ideation symptom, which may cause distress but isn’t by itself the measure of impairment. Anhedonia describes a loss of pleasure or interest, a symptom that can occur in many conditions but does not by itself confirm impairment in functioning.