Which term describes slowed movements often seen in major depressive disorder?

• A. Alogia
• B. Pressured speech
• C. Psychomotor retardation
• D. Incongruent affect

Answer: (C)

Psychomotor retardation describes the slowing of thought and physical movement that can occur during a depressive episode. In major depressive disorder, people may move slowly, walk with a lag, and have delayed or slowed speech and responses, reflecting reduced motor activity and processing speed. This is distinct from alogia, which is a poverty of speech or reduced speech output without necessarily implying slowed movement; pressured speech, on the other hand, is rapid and excessive speech often linked to agitation or mania rather than depression. Incongruent affect refers to a mismatch between mood and facial expression, not to the speed of movements. So, the term that best captures slowed movements in this context is psychomotor retardation.