Mood disorders in students are often characterized by which presentation?

• A. External hyperactivity and inattention without mood symptoms.
• B. Severe anxiety with panic attacks.
• C. Recurrent depressive episodes with mood swings.
• D. Externalizing feelings of depression, sadness, guilt, or other negative emotion, possibly including thoughts of suicide. Somatic complaints may be present.

Answer: (D)

Mood disorders in students often show distress through behavior and physical symptoms rather than a clear statement of sadness. The best answer reflects this by describing externalizing feelings of depression, sadness, guilt, or other negative emotions, with the possibility of thoughts of suicide, and including somatic complaints. In younger people, depression can present as irritability, social withdrawal, changes in energy, sleep, and appetite, or school performance problems, and they may report headaches or stomachaches rather than a stated low mood. The presence of suicidal thoughts signals a high level of risk and the need for urgent support. The other options describe patterns that fit more with ADHD, primary anxiety, or mood presentations that are less typical for how mood disorders commonly appear in students.