which of the following is a symptom of depression?

Depression often shows up as a combination of emotional, physical, and thinking‑related changes, not just “feeling sad.”

Since your question sounds like a quiz (“which of the following is a symptom of depression?”) but you didn’t list the options, here are classic symptoms that would typically be the correct choice if they appeared among answers:

• Persistent low mood (feeling sad, empty, down, or hopeless most of the day, nearly every day).

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable (hobbies, socializing, sex, sports).

• Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a failure, even when there’s no clear reason.

• Fatigue or low energy, feeling “slowed down” or exhausted by normal tasks.

• Sleep problems (trouble falling asleep, waking early, or sleeping much more than usual).

• Changes in appetite or weight (eating much less or much more, unexpected weight loss or gain).

• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or thinking clearly.

• Feeling irritable, restless, or easily frustrated, even by small things.

• Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or general aches and pains without a clear medical cause.

• Thoughts that life is not worth living, or thoughts of death or self‑harm (this is an emergency sign and needs immediate support).

In a multiple‑choice question, answers mentioning things like “persistent sadness,” “loss of interest in activities,” “feeling hopeless,” “low energy,” or “sleep disturbance” are usually the correct symptoms of depression, whereas very brief mood dips or one‑off bad days on their own generally are not.

If you were asking because you see these signs in yourself or someone else, it’s important to reach out to a doctor, therapist, or trusted adult and, if there are any thoughts of self‑harm, to contact emergency services or a crisis line immediately in your country.