Which is not a symptom of a mental disorder?

• A. Feeling very sad three days after a pet dies
• B. Persistent sadness lasting weeks
• C. Hallucinations
• D. Loss of interest in activities

Answer: (A)

Differentiating a normal grief reaction from signs of a mental disorder is the key idea. After a loss, feeling sad is a natural response, and experiencing sadness a few days after a pet dies fits a normal grief pattern rather than a mental disorder. Mental disorders typically involve symptoms that persist, intensify, or impair daily functioning. So the statement about feeling very sad three days after a pet dies is not a symptom of a mental disorder.

In contrast, persistent sadness lasting weeks suggests a mood disorder like depression if it interferes with daily life. Hallucinations are perceptual experiences without real stimuli and signal a possible psychotic feature or severe mood disorder. Loss of interest in activities, or anhedonia, is a core sign of depression and other conditions.