What subtype of depression is characterized by mood reactivity, leaden paralysis, weight gain, and hypersomnia?

Atypical depression is characterized by specific symptoms that set it apart from other forms of depression. Mood reactivity is a hallmark feature, meaning that individuals can experience an uplift in mood when positive events occur, which contrasts with the pervasive low mood found in other depressive disorders.

Leaden paralysis refers to a sensation of heaviness in the limbs that can make physical movement feel burdensome. This symptom is particularly associated with atypical depression.

Weight gain is another common symptom, as individuals with atypical depression may engage in emotional eating or have alterations in appetite that lead to increased weight. Along with this, hypersomnia, or excessive sleeping, is common; patients may find themselves sleeping longer than usual or experiencing fatigue, making it difficult to engage in daily activities.

This combination of symptoms—mood reactivity, leaden paralysis, weight gain, and hypersomnia—aligns well with the criteria for atypical depression, distinguishing it from the other subtypes listed in the question. Seasonal affective disorder focuses more on the seasonality of depressive episodes, major depressive disorder constitutes a broader category of more severe depressive symptoms, and dysthymia (now more commonly referred to as persistent depressive disorder) is characterized by a chronic low mood but does not typically