Which symptom is indicative of major depression and is characterized by significant weight change?

In the context of major depression, notable weight change—either significant weight loss or gain—serves as a key symptom of the disorder. This reflects alterations in appetite or eating habits, which can manifest as a marked decrease or increase in body weight. According to the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-5, these weight changes are not merely due to dieting or other medical conditions but are deeply connected to the emotional and psychological disturbances associated with depression.

This symptom is of particular importance because it can impact the individual's overall health and well-being, further compounding the difficulties they face due to their depressive symptoms. In recognizing this, mental health professionals can better assess the severity of the depression and tailor appropriate treatment strategies to address these weight changes along with other symptoms.

The other options, while they may appear relevant to mood disorders, do not specifically point to the significant weight change that is characteristic of major depression. For instance, leaden paralysis refers to a feeling of heaviness in the limbs that often accompanies severe depression, but it does not pertain to weight change. Hallucinations or delusions may occur in more serious mental health issues, such as psychotic disorders, rather than being a core symptom of major depression. Similarly, severe mood