The placebo effect refers to

A) relief from symptoms without psychotherapy.
B) the alleviation of depression and anxiety by means of aerobic exercise.
C) the use of drugs in the therapeutic treatment of psychological disorders.
D) the beneficial consequences of merely expecting that a treatment will be effective.

Placebo Effect

Improvement in a patient's condition resulting from the mere expectation of treatment and not the treatment itself.

Alleviation

Alleviation refers to the act of making something, such as pain or hardship, less severe or more bearable.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities, often affecting daily functioning.