Community Health Worker (CHW) Practice Exam

Mental illnesses or mood disorders are identified by symptoms that reflect how a person feels, behaves, and thinks. Emotional experiences like persistent sadness or anxiety reveal the feelings part; changes in daily functioning—such as sleep, energy, appetite, or social withdrawal—show the behavior piece; and patterns of thinking—like hopelessness, distorted self-talk, or trouble concentrating—highlight the thoughts component. Together, this trio captures the full picture of how the person experiences and expresses the disorder, which is why it’s the best framework for identification. While genetics, environment, or diet can influence risk, they’re not the direct combination used to diagnose. Sleep, activity, and mood cover important aspects but don’t fully address cognitive patterns, so they’re not as complete. Hormonal or brain-related factors also influence conditions, but the defining identification comes from feelings, behavior, and thoughts.