In this study of 101 patients who met DSM-III criteria for major
depression, those with extreme anhedonia (N = 23) were younger, more
depressed, and less neurotic than the patients with a normal-range capacity
for pleasurable experiences (N = 78). The anhedonic depressed patients
recovered more rapidly; at discharge they consequently had levels of
symptom severity equal to those of the hedonic patients, yet they remained
significantly more anhedonic. The anhedonic patients exhibited loss of
pleasure in appetite, sex, social contacts, and work, which suggests a
global dulling of the capacity for pleasure.Abstract Teaser