Which symptom is commonly observed in Major Depressive Disorder and used in its criteria?

Which symptom is commonly observed in Major Depressive Disorder and used in its criteria?

• A. Sleep disturbance.
• B. Elevated mood.
• C. Hyperactivity.
• D. Delusions.

Answer: (A)

Sleep disturbance is commonly observed in Major Depressive Disorder and is one of the symptoms used in its diagnostic criteria. During a depressive episode, people often have trouble sleeping—insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much). This symptom, along with other features like persistent sad mood or loss of interest, helps meet the requirement of five or more symptoms over at least a two-week period. Elevated mood would point toward mania or hypomania, not depression. Hyperactivity is not typical of depression, where psychomotor changes are more often slowing. Delusions can occur in psychotic depression but are not part of the standard criteria unless a psychotic features specifier is present, which is less common.

Sleep disturbance is commonly observed in Major Depressive Disorder and is one of the symptoms used in its diagnostic criteria. During a depressive episode, people often have trouble sleeping—insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much). This symptom, along with other features like persistent sad mood or loss of interest, helps meet the requirement of five or more symptoms over at least a two-week period. Elevated mood would point toward mania or hypomania, not depression. Hyperactivity is not typical of depression, where psychomotor changes are more often slowing. Delusions can occur in psychotic depression but are not part of the standard criteria unless a psychotic features specifier is present, which is less common.