What does the "With Atypical Features" specifier in depressive episodes include?

The "With Atypical Features" specifier in depressive episodes relates specifically to certain symptoms that characterize this variant of depression. This specifier indicates a pattern of depressive symptoms that are somewhat different from the typical presentation of major depressive episodes.

In particular, mood reactivity is a key aspect of atypical features, meaning that the person's mood is able to improve in response to positive events. This could manifest as a temporary lifting of depressive symptoms when something enjoyable occurs. Additionally, hypersomnia, which refers to excessive sleeping or increased sleep duration, is also typical of this specifier. Affected individuals might experience a notable increase in sleep rather than experiencing insomnia, which is often present in non-atypical depression.

Other symptoms that could be associated with this specifier include significant weight gain or increased appetite, which contrasts with the weight loss or decreased appetite typically seen in major depressive episodes without atypical features.

Overall, recognizing these atypical features is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, as the management of depression with atypical features may differ from that of other depressive presentations.