Which symptom is an example of a psychomotor change that can occur in a Major Depressive Episode?

• A. Agitation or retardation
• B. Hallucinations
• C. Delusions
• D. Elevated mood

Answer: (A)

In a Major Depressive Episode, psychomotor changes refer to observable alterations in a person’s movement and activity. This most often shows up as agitation (restlessness, an inability to sit still, pacing) or retardation (slowed movements, slowed speech, and slowed thinking). These changes are a direct way the disorder can manifest in how the person moves and communicates, which is why agitation or retardation is the best example among the options. Hallucinations and delusions are psychotic features affecting perception or thought content, not the motor activity changes described here. Elevated mood indicates a different state (mania/hypomania) and is not typical of a depressive episode.