Anhedonia
Pronunciation: an-hee-DOH-nee-uh
The diminished ability to experience pleasure from activities that were previously found enjoyable, a core symptom of major depressive disorder and several other psychiatric conditions.
Full Definition
Anhedonia is one of the two cardinal symptoms of major depressive disorder in DSM-5-TR, alongside depressed mood. It can be social (loss of interest in social contact) or physical (reduced pleasure from sensory experiences). In schizophrenia, anhedonia is classified as a negative symptom and may be difficult to distinguish from avolition. For editors, the term appears in diagnostic criteria, outcome measures, and patient-reported outcome instruments. It is frequently misspelled as 'anhedonea' or 'anhedonia' (correctly spelled) and should never be rendered as 'an hedonia' or 'anhendonia.' Its clinical presence must be documented with specificity in treatment authorization letters.
Usage
Usage note: Confirm correct spelling at every occurrence. Distinguish clearly from 'avolition' and 'apathy' in diagnostic documents where all three may co-occur.
In Context
- "The intake assessment recorded anhedonia of four weeks' duration, meeting the duration criterion for major depressive disorder." — Intake assessment
- "Pervasive anhedonia was cited in the prior authorization request as evidence of functional impairment." — Prior authorization documentation