Which of the following is a psychological cause of depression?

Study for ELNEC 4: Symptom Management in Palliative Care Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Hints and explanations included! Get ready for your exam!

Depression in palliative care often stems from emotional and cognitive responses to a serious illness and its prognosis. When death is imminent, many patients face existential distress—fear, hopelessness, loss of meaning, and concern about leaving loved ones. This psychological burden can lead to depressive symptoms even if there isn’t a physical cause driving mood changes. The option reflecting this psychological strain most directly is the sense of impending death. Pain and appetite loss are physical symptoms that can worsen mood but aren’t themselves psychological causes. Delirium is a cognitive disturbance with confusion and fluctuating awareness; while it can affect mood, it’s not a psychological cause of depression and requires different management. Addressing this form of depression involves supportive communication, meaning-focused and existential support, and care aligned with the patient’s goals.