Which of the following is a common symptom of depression according to standard diagnostic criteria?

• A. Compulsive hand washing
• B. Hallucinations and delusions
• C. Episodes of mania with increased energy
• D. Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that depression is a mood disorder characterized by specific symptoms outlined in standard diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition).
2. Review the common symptoms of depression, which typically include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
3. Recognize that compulsive hand washing is more commonly associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), not depression.
4. Identify that hallucinations and delusions are symptoms more typical of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, rather than depression.
5. Note that episodes of mania with increased energy are characteristic of Bipolar Disorder, not unipolar depression, which involves persistent low mood.