A nurse is evaluating the coping skills of a client with a diagnosis of depression. Which statement indicates to the nurse the need to help the client learn and appropriately use these skills?

A nurse is evaluating the coping skills of a client with a diagnosis of depression. Which statement indicates to the nurse the need to help the client learn and appropriately use these skills?

• A. I won't ever be depressed again.
• B. Depression is just a sign of weakness.
• C. I need to ignore it.
• D. My mood will stay the same forever.

Answer: (C)

Coping with depression hinges on recognizing symptoms and using constructive strategies rather than avoiding them. Saying “I need to ignore it” shows avoidance of the depressive symptoms instead of engaging with them and applying coping skills, so it clearly signals the need for teaching how to acknowledge mood changes, seek support, and use structured strategies like activity planning or problem-solving. The other statements reflect problematic beliefs or pessimistic views, which also need attention, but they don’t demonstrate a pattern of avoiding coping efforts as directly as this response does.

Coping with depression hinges on recognizing symptoms and using constructive strategies rather than avoiding them. Saying “I need to ignore it” shows avoidance of the depressive symptoms instead of engaging with them and applying coping skills, so it clearly signals the need for teaching how to acknowledge mood changes, seek support, and use structured strategies like activity planning or problem-solving. The other statements reflect problematic beliefs or pessimistic views, which also need attention, but they don’t demonstrate a pattern of avoiding coping efforts as directly as this response does.