Texas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

What is typically NOT a symptom of clinical depression?

1. Persistent sadness

2. Loss of interest in activities

3. Increased motivation

4. Fatigue or low energy

The correct answer is: Increased motivation

In clinical depression, individuals often experience a range of symptoms that significantly affect their emotional and physical well-being. An increase in motivation is generally not associated with clinical depression. Instead, individuals suffering from depression tend to show a lack of motivation, which is reflected in diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities, persistent sadness, and feelings of fatigue or low energy. The hallmark symptoms of clinical depression typically include a pervasive sense of sadness, a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy, and low energy. These factors contribute to the overall state of despair and disengagement that characterizes the disorder, making increased motivation an unlikely symptom in such cases. Therefore, recognizing that motivation decreases rather than increases during episodes of clinical depression is essential for understanding this mental health condition.