Which specifier indicates depressive features that are melancholic?

• A. With melancholic features
• B. With atypical features
• C. With mood-congruent psychotic features
• D. With mood-incongruent psychotic features

Answer: (A)

Melancholic features is a depressive episode specifier that identifies a particular, more distinctive pattern of depression. It signals features such as a loss of pleasure in almost all activities, mood that is nonreactive to positive events, and often additional signs like early morning awakening, significant weight loss, agitation or psychomotor retardation, and excessive guilt. Because the question asks for the specifier that signals melancholic-type depression, this exact label—“with melancholic features”—is the best fit. The other options describe different specifiers (atypical features; psychotic features that are mood-congruent or mood-incongruent) and do not indicate melancholia. Identifying melancholic features helps distinguish this presentation and can influence treatment considerations.