Mood disorders in students may present with somatic complaints; cognitive-behavioral strategies can help. Which statement best reflects this?

Mood disorders in students may present with somatic complaints; cognitive-behavioral strategies can help. Which statement best reflects this?

• A. They are best treated only with medication
• B. They may present with somatic complaints and externalizing behaviors; cognitive-behavioral strategies are useful
• C. They occur only in older adults
• D. They do not affect academics

Answer: (B)

Mood disorders in students often show up in ways that go beyond mood symptoms, including somatic complaints and changes in behavior. Physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches can be a student’s way of signaling distress, while externalizing behaviors—such as irritability, defiance, or classroom disruption—can accompany or mask underlying mood issues. Cognitive-behavioral strategies are useful here because they focus on how thoughts, feelings, and actions reinforce each other. By teaching students to identify negative or unhelpful thoughts, develop coping skills, and increase adaptive behaviors (like activity scheduling, problem-solving, and relaxation techniques), CBT helps reduce distress and improve functioning at school and in daily life. This approach is not about medication alone, and mood disorders are not limited to older adults; they can and do affect students' academics, relationships, and overall school performance.

Mood disorders in students often show up in ways that go beyond mood symptoms, including somatic complaints and changes in behavior. Physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches can be a student’s way of signaling distress, while externalizing behaviors—such as irritability, defiance, or classroom disruption—can accompany or mask underlying mood issues. Cognitive-behavioral strategies are useful here because they focus on how thoughts, feelings, and actions reinforce each other. By teaching students to identify negative or unhelpful thoughts, develop coping skills, and increase adaptive behaviors (like activity scheduling, problem-solving, and relaxation techniques), CBT helps reduce distress and improve functioning at school and in daily life.

This approach is not about medication alone, and mood disorders are not limited to older adults; they can and do affect students' academics, relationships, and overall school performance.