What are the core symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?

The core symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) prominently include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities. Alongside these emotional symptoms, individuals may experience significant changes in appetite, which can manifest as either weight gain or weight loss, as well as sleep disturbances. This combination of persistent sadness and changes in appetite is critical for diagnosing MDD according to the DSM-5 criteria. These symptoms impact daily functioning and can lead to other physical and emotional issues if not addressed.

Other options, while they may represent symptoms of different psychological conditions, do not align with the defining characteristics of Major Depressive Disorder. For instance, extreme mood swings and impulsive behavior are more indicative of conditions like Bipolar Disorder. Memory loss and cognitive decline relate more to neurocognitive disorders, and hallucinations and delusions are typically associated with psychotic disorders rather than MDD. Therefore, the emphasis on the specific symptoms of persistent sadness and changes in appetite underscores their importance in identifying Major Depressive Disorder.