Which of the following is NOT a symptom required for the diagnosis of depression?

The correct answer is elevated mood. In the context of diagnosing depression, the symptoms typically include a persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in weight or appetite, concentration difficulties, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, insomnia or hypersomnia, and thoughts of death or suicidal ideation. Elevated mood is not consistent with the criteria for depression; rather, it may be indicative of a mood disorder such as mania or hypomania, which are associated with conditions like bipolar disorder.

The symptoms listed for depression are usually characterized by significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, and an elevated mood does not fit within this framework. Therefore, recognizing elevated mood as not being a symptom required for the diagnosis of depression is crucial in understanding the diagnostic criteria for this mental health condition.