In managing major depressive disorder, what is an appropriate nursing approach regarding activities of daily living?

• A. Do all ADLs for patient
• B. Ignore ADLs
• C. Help patient do their own ADLs
• D. Encourage rest

Answer: (C)

In major depressive disorder, energy and motivation for self-care are often limited, so preserving the patient’s ability to perform daily activities is a key part of recovery. The best nursing approach is to help the patient do their own activities of daily living, not to take over the tasks or ignore them. By supporting participation—offering prompts, breaking tasks into small steps, and providing encouragement—the patient maintains autonomy and builds confidence in their own abilities. This approach also gives the nurse a chance to assess functioning and safety in real routines, so interventions can be tailored as the mood improves. Doing everything for the patient can foster dependency and reduced motivation, while ignoring ADLs or simply pushing for rest without addressing daily functioning can hinder recovery.