Which symptoms are commonly associated with major depressive disorder?

Which symptoms are commonly associated with major depressive disorder?

• A. Elevated mood and increased energy
• B. Sleep disturbances and appetite changes
• C. Loss of appetite, weight loss, and insomnia or hypersomnia
• D. Fatigue and anhedonia

Answer: (C)

Major depressive disorder often shows vegetative symptoms: disruptions in sleep and changes in appetite/weight reflect how depression affects basic bodily functions. The option that lists loss of appetite with weight loss plus sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia) captures these common physiological features alongside mood symptoms like low mood and anhedonia. The other options either describe states opposite to depression (elevated mood and increased energy), or focus on fewer symptoms (fatigue and anhedonia) without including the sleep or appetite changes that are frequently present. So, the combination of appetite/weight changes with sleep disturbance best represents the typical presentation.

Major depressive disorder often shows vegetative symptoms: disruptions in sleep and changes in appetite/weight reflect how depression affects basic bodily functions. The option that lists loss of appetite with weight loss plus sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia) captures these common physiological features alongside mood symptoms like low mood and anhedonia. The other options either describe states opposite to depression (elevated mood and increased energy), or focus on fewer symptoms (fatigue and anhedonia) without including the sleep or appetite changes that are frequently present. So, the combination of appetite/weight changes with sleep disturbance best represents the typical presentation.