Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of depression?

Feeling optimistic is indeed not a common symptom of depression. In fact, individuals experiencing depression often struggle with feelings of pessimism and hopelessness rather than optimism. Depression typically manifests with various symptoms that negatively impact an individual's mood and outlook on life.

Symptoms such as feeling fatigued, changes in eating patterns, and experiencing hopelessness exemplify the emotional and physical toll that depression can take. Fatigue can occur due to the overwhelming nature of depressive feelings, while changes in eating patterns may reflect alterations in appetite—either an increase or decrease—as a result of the emotional state. Feelings of hopelessness encapsulate the despair that can accompany depression, demonstrating a lack of belief in the possibility of positive change.

In contrast, the presence of optimism would indicate a hopeful and positive perspective, which is counter to the experience of those suffering from depression. Therefore, this makes the choice of feeling optimistic distinct from the other symptoms listed and highlights the pervasive nature of negativity associated with depression.