Behavioral Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Depression is a major public health problem, with existing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments not equally effective in all patients. The complex etiology and pathogenesis of depression pose a challenge that requires different approach strategies to effectively alleviate this mental symptom. Anhedonia, or loss of interest and pleasure in commonly enjoyed activities, is one of the main diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders in the psychiatric diagnostic systems of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD). Major depressive disorder indicates a depressive condition that does not solely rely on reports of sad mood but the presence of anhedonia behavior. The review of these studies aims to determine changes in anhedonia behavior in depressive disorders. Methods: This research review was prepared using the literature review method by collecting valid scientific literature, namely Google Scholar, PubMed and Scientific Direct. Discussion: Anhedonia behavior is related to several factors, including social interaction is the most complex and ambiguous human environment. Hence the existence of rules that are fraught with misunderstandings. It requires complex examination to determine exactly what the rewarding components of social interaction are. Social interactions are highly dynamic, complex states that seem more likely to produce anxiety than lead to reward given their ambiguity. For those with social anhedonia, whose sensitivity to the positive benefits of social interactions may be limited, it is easy to see why relationships are best avoided. Individuals with social anhedonia may require greater perceived gains before they engage in social approach behaviors. As such, individuals may experience less pleasure in response to certain stimuli, while responses to other stimuli remain intact. There are three types of stimuli, namely social stimuli, sensory stimuli, and drugs/substances. Conclusion: Behavioral social anhedonia, physical anhedonia and substance anhedonia are criteria for major depressive disorder. They may refer to a decreased ability to experience pleasure from all (or at least some) positive stimuli.