Which statement explains why clinicians rule out physical causes when evaluating depression?

• A. Important to rule out physical causes of depression
• B. Depression is explained by life events alone
• C. Physical illness cannot cause depression
• D. Rely solely on psychotherapy

Answer: (A)

A thorough medical evaluation is needed because many physical conditions can mimic or contribute to depressive symptoms. Clinicians rule out physical causes to identify whether mood changes are due to a primary depressive disorder or are secondary to something like thyroid dysfunction, anemia, vitamin deficiencies, infection, chronic illness, or medication effects. Treating any underlying medical issue can relieve or resolve depressive symptoms, and it also ensures the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Life events may influence mood, but they don’t fully explain the condition, and physical illness can indeed cause depression, so assuming it cannot would miss treatable problems. Relying solely on psychotherapy ignores the medical screening that is essential to rule out physical contributors.