Which symptom is included in the DSM criteria for major depressive disorder?

Which symptom is included in the DSM criteria for major depressive disorder?

• A. Mania
• B. Hypersomnia
• C. Decreased concentration or indecisiveness
• D. Auditory hallucinations

Answer: (C)

Difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness is a recognized symptom in the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. DSM-5 requires at least five symptoms over a two-week period, with at least one of them being depressed mood or loss of interest, and among the listed symptoms is diminished ability to think clearly or make decisions. This cognitive impact is commonly seen in depression and helps distinguish it from other mood states. Mania is not a feature of major depressive disorder (it points toward bipolar disorders). Auditory hallucinations can occur if there are psychotic features, but they are not required criteria for a plain depressive episode. Hypersomnia can be a sleep disturbance in depression, but the specific symptom that DSM criteria directly include as part of the diagnostic cluster is impaired concentration or indecisiveness.

Difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness is a recognized symptom in the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. DSM-5 requires at least five symptoms over a two-week period, with at least one of them being depressed mood or loss of interest, and among the listed symptoms is diminished ability to think clearly or make decisions. This cognitive impact is commonly seen in depression and helps distinguish it from other mood states.

Mania is not a feature of major depressive disorder (it points toward bipolar disorders). Auditory hallucinations can occur if there are psychotic features, but they are not required criteria for a plain depressive episode. Hypersomnia can be a sleep disturbance in depression, but the specific symptom that DSM criteria directly include as part of the diagnostic cluster is impaired concentration or indecisiveness.