According to DSM-5 criteria, how many symptoms are required for Major Depressive Disorder, and which two core symptoms must be present?

• A. At least five of nine symptoms, including depressed mood or anhedonia, for most of the day nearly every day for at least two weeks.
• B. Seven of nine symptoms including fatigue for one week.
• C. Nine symptoms with depressed mood but no anhedonia for two weeks.
• D. Four of ten symptoms including anxiety, for three weeks.

Answer: (A)

Major Depressive Disorder is diagnosed when a person has a cluster of symptoms over a two-week period, with at least one of the two core symptoms: depressed mood or anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). In total, five or more of nine possible symptoms must be present, representing a change from prior functioning and causing clinically significant distress or impairment. The option that matches this criteria says: at least five of the nine symptoms, including depressed mood or anhedonia, for most of the day nearly every day for at least two weeks. This aligns with the DSM-5 criteria, emphasizing both the duration (two weeks) and the minimum symptom count with one core symptom present. The other choices fail because of incorrect duration, incorrect symptom count, or inclusion of symptoms not required by DSM-5 criteria.