Question

Marcellus has been struggling with the symptoms of a major depressive episode for quite some time. Dr. Ting, his therapist, notes that Marcellus meets the criteria for a major depressive episode and, in addition, seems to have lost interest or pleasure in almost all activities, even recently turning down a chance to go to a concert of his favorite musician for no discernable reason. The diagnosis of major depressive disorder would probably best include the specifier of "__________."

A. with psychotic indicators
B. with melancholic features
C. with atypical onset
D. with seasonal pattern

Answer 1

B. with melancholic features

Step-by-step explanation:

In psychology and according to the DSM-V a major depressive disorder is a mental disorder that is characterized by presenting a low mood for at least two weeks.

The melancholic features of this disorder include the following symptoms:

• The individual loses pleasure in all or most daily activities.
• Lack of reactivity to positive news and events.
• Feelings of despair and worthlessness.

In this example, Marcellus meets the criteria for a major depressive episode, but he also seems to have lost interest or pleasure in almost all activities even turning down a chance to go to a concert of his favorite musician. We can see that he has lost pleasure in his daily activities and in the ones that used to cause him pleasure. This is one of the symptoms of the melancholic features of this disorder. Therefore the diagnosis of major depressive disorder would probably best include the specifier of "with melancholic features"