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

The "With Atypical Features" specifier in depressive episodes refers to a specific presentation of depression characterized by particular symptoms that differentiate it from more typical depressive features. This specifier is associated with mood reactivity, meaning that individuals may experience their mood as being sensitive to environmental factors—specifically, they can experience temporary improvements in mood in response to positive events.

Additionally, hypersomnia is a hallmark symptom of atypical depression, where individuals may sleep excessively instead of experiencing insomnia, which is more common in typical depressive episodes. The combination of mood reactivity and hypersomnia, along with other atypical symptoms such as increased appetite and significant weight gain, aligns with the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 for recognizing and categorizing this variant of depressive episodes.

Understanding this context is crucial for accurately diagnosing and managing depressive disorders, as it helps identify those who may not respond to standard treatment methods typically effective for non-atypical presentations.