A 52-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office for a Checkup

A 52-year-old woman comes to the office for a checkup.  Her medical problems include hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.  The patient has a long-standing relationship with her primary care physician, who has treated her children as well.  During the examination, she confides that she has been "down" since her youngest child left for college 2 months ago.  The patient is worried about her daughter being away from home for the first time and whether she will be successful at school.  At work, the patient occasionally has lapses of concentration when worrying about whether her daughter is okay, but it has not affected her productivity.  She says, "I still enjoy going out with my husband but all we do is talk about our kids."  The patient has occasional insomnia and tension headaches but notes that these are nothing new.  Physical examination is normal.  Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's condition?

A) Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
B) Generalized anxiety disorder
C) Major depressive disorder
D) Normal sadness
E) Persistent depressive disorder

Correct Answer:

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