What is Anhedonia?

This video describes the term “anhedonia.” Anhedonia is from the Greek and means “without pleasure.” It is characterized by a loss of interest in activities. Physical anhedonia is characterized by diminished pleasure in food, sex, hobbies, work-related activities, etc. Social anhedonia is characterized by diminished pleasure in social activities. Anticipatory anhedonia is when the pleasure of anticipation is diminished. Consummatory anhedonia is a reduction in enjoyment during the actual time of consumption. Anhedonia is a key component of several mental disorders including Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Substance Use Disorder, and PTSD.

[sweetgirly]

Im experiencing this, finally found a word for it.

[Steven-s]

It is being a zombie. Being a walking dead. It is blandness, boring, tasteless life because you can't find happiness in anything, even things that used to bring you happiness. It is wanting physical pain so you know you're still alive or not dreaming. It is despair. It is feeling like everything is pointless. It is a living hell because it is nothing at all except existing. Sleep is the only escape, the only time I'm truly happy because nothing exists at all. Acting for social acceptance is truly a practiced skill. Existing is numbness, existing is suffering.

[NickRyanBayon]

I've had this for as long as I can remember, even with meds, healthy diet, working out 6x a week. I still don't get better, I cannot talk to people, I cannot find the motivation to work and it has severely affected that and my relationships. I have spent months in bed, I cannot even taste foods sometimes. It has gotten so bad I had to be put on a stimulant to even help me somewhat be able to function.

[JoeDirt-elfr]

This is probably more common than most people think. This almost seems like a person has become shell shocked due to trauma.

[bharathh]

I am experiencing anhedonia to such an extend that I am unable to watch even this video completely 😔

[WeaponryFitness]

I've searched and searched for years trying to figure out what was wrong with me and now I know. It really does suck, and to make it worse, I'm an introvert. So I've practically been single all my life, no friends, no companion, no kids, not even a pet. But I'm greatly skilled and talented in so many things. I'm just alone.

[Annausagi]

This is definitely what I've been going through for a long while now. I feel like I'm doing things (drawing, customizing dolls etc) to distract myself, not for pleasure.
I upload a page of my webcomic, I feel nothing. "Perhaps I'd feel happier if someone acknowledged my work?" Someone comments how they've been following my comic for many years and how it's one of their favorites... I feel nothing.
It's as if, no matter what happened, I still wouldn't feel any sort of happiness. I'm either just extremely depressed or "just" sad. Never anything above "this is tolerable".
What's worse is, I haven't been going through any trauma to get like this. I *know* it's all just in my head. But my mind wins over logic every time.

[violetlove]

I've heard that word before. I battle major depressive disorder and don't date anymore because i often don't get pleasure or joy from being with the person i date. And they dont understand that it has nothing to do with them and begin to accuse me of not loving them, cheating, etc. I've also been called lazy because i don't want to go anywhere or do anything. So, i hope this gets media coverage & ppl get educated because i am done trying to explain.

[tsbcmhc]

Anhedonia being a key component in MDD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Substance Use Disorder, and PTSD doesn't surprise me. When it comes to Substance Use, I feel that the Anhedonia would come first and the person would look to use a substance to find pleasure. This motivated me to further research the topic. Thanks!

[MarxistKnight]

I had a few episodes of depression when I was in my early 20s, which were characterised by chronic sadness, but I wasn’t generally bored and when things went well or started dating someone new, I’d feel good, fuzzy and have that feeling of butterflies.

I’m now in my early 30s and this current (longest and worst) episode though, is far more characterised by the anhedonia and apathy. I actually don’t feel as sad (or suicidal) as previous times, but I just feel incessantly bored and empty. Not walking to the ledge but not bothered to do anything else either. And I can honestly say this is worse than when I at least had some highs to make the many lows worth it. This is just pointless.

[feline]

Is this also considered Emotional Flatlining?

[edmundblackaddercoc]

I have both and have had for years....interesting!

[danashannon]

I did not have anhedonia until i was prescribed different antidepressants & even after stopping them. It has not improved. The meds caused this.

[engleharddinglefester]

I had this 11 yrs ago. I was afraid it would never go away. It took a few months but eventually did. Had to do with major depression, BPD, and c-ptsd.

[janicedixon]

I’ve never heard of this as a symptom before. Interesting topic!

[virginiamurrey]

Anhedonia progression is an intriguing concept; I can see the correlation between this concept and depression. This concept and schizophrenia seems a bit more tricky to understand, I would like to read up on this relation more understand more on this subject.

[qiuwbr]

Thank you, Dr. You have opened up my understanding of why people around me want longer and bigger binges. They really are calloused to the average amount of drugs, alcohol, sex, anti-social behaviors. I thought I was being overly judgmental. This sounds immature but people would bang kitchen spoons, hammer my fence to let me know they wanted to ‘get something going.’ I never could figure out what the ‘something’ was. I’m glad I didn’t. It’s some type of drug culture - speak.

[cojocoolio]

I have anhedonia when it comes to career aspirations. Job searching is next to impossible for me because I feel either completely unqualified or completely uninterested in every job I find, and that's even if I type in a keyword apart from "remote job"

[iannorton]

I'm just recovering from yet another bout of depression (this time initiated by workplace related stress). Anhedonia is always one of the major symptoms associated with all of my depressive episodes; I lose interest in everything and get no sense of pleasure from either anticipating or participating in any activity that I would otherwise enjoy. After changing my medication again - now taking mirtazapine - and finding the most suitable dose, along with other therapies, I'm now lifting out of my depression and once more starting to feel enjoyment; I'm even starting to look forward to going abroad next weekend on an expensive holiday/vacation that I'd booked months ago prior to my recent episode and, until recently, didn't want to go on.

[boitahaki]

I cannot think of one single thing that give me pleasure anymore, all my hobbies are boring now, all media, social interactions, its all boredom, pointless.