Which of the following is a symptom of depression?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Anhedonia — loss of interest or pleasure in activities — is a hallmark symptom of depressive disorders and directly answers this question.

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode (DSM-5) list depressed mood and markedly diminished interest or pleasure (anhedonia) as core symptoms. Other associated symptoms include changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbance, psychomotor changes, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
- Contrast with mood-elevated states (e.g., mania/hypomania) which feature elevated self-esteem, increased energy, and an overly optimistic or grandiose outlook.

2. Step-by-step reasoning
- Examine each option and compare it to established depression symptoms:
  a) Loss of interest in activities — matches “markedly diminished interest or pleasure” (core depressive symptom).
  b) Heightened sense of self-esteem — inconsistent; depression typically involves low self-esteem or excessive guilt, not heightened self-esteem.
  c) Increased energy levels — contradictory; depression usually causes fatigue and reduced energy.
  d) Optimistic outlook — opposite of the persistent negative or hopeless feelings common in depression.

3. Calculations
- No numerical calculations are required for this diagnostic/clinical question.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
- “Loss of interest in activities” is explicitly named in diagnostic manuals as one of the two principal criteria for a major depressive episode (the other being depressed mood). It reflects anhedonia, a reduced capacity to enjoy previously pleasurable activities, and is a reliable clinical indicator of depression.

5. Why the other options are incorrect
- Heightened self-esteem: characteristic of mania/hypomania, not depression.
- Increased energy levels: a feature of manic episodes; depression typically causes low energy and fatigue.
- Optimistic outlook: inconsistent with depressive symptoms, which involve pessimism, hopelessness, or low mood.

6. Conclusion
Therefore, the correct answer is “Loss of interest in activities,” which matches the provided answer.

Which of the following is a symptom of depression?Single choice

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