A 25-year-old woman complains of intense depressed mood for 6 months with inability to enjoy previously pleasurable activities. This symptom is known as:
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms, including intense depressed mood and inability to enjoy previously pleasurable activities, are characteristic of a specific mood disorder. This condition is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent and intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The symptom described is a key feature of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), previously known as unipolar depression. MDD is characterized by a prolonged period of depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, which can last for weeks or even months. The patient's inability to enjoy previously pleasurable activities is a hallmark symptom of MDD, known as anhedonia. This symptom is thought to be related to the dysfunction of the reward system in the brain, which involves the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it describes a symptom of Hypomania, which is characterized by a period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it describes a symptom of Psychotic Depression, which is characterized by a major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it describes a symptom of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there is less sunlight.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the mnemonic "DISHA" to help you remember the key features of Major Depressive Disorder: Depressed mood, Inability to enjoy activities (anhedonia), Sleep disturbances, Increased appetite or weight gain, and Social withdrawal.
**Correct Answer:** C.