Atypical depression, or
depression with atypical features as it has been known in the
DSM, is
depression that shares many of the typical symptoms of the psychiatric
syndromes major depression or
dysthymia but is characterized by improved mood in response to positive events. In contrast, people with
melancholic depression generally do not experience an improved mood in response to normally pleasurable events. Atypical depression also features significant weight gain or an increased appetite,
hypersomnia, a heavy sensation in the limbs and interpersonal rejection sensitivity that results in significant social or occupational impairment.