Feel nothing even when you do something great?

Ever felt nothing after achieving something great?

It's a symptom of depression where you can't feel the rewards of your hard work, no matter how much praise you get. This disconnect can make even the most celebrated people feel empty.

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But I do care.
#depressionawareness #emptinessoflife #anhedonia #emptiness

[christineb.]

Yep. When I graduated college I remember feeling nothing. I knew I should feel good about it, but I didn't feel anything.

[Stephanpar]

I wrote a book on my phone in just a few months. An entire science fiction novel when I was 25 in my car out of both despair and hope.


The few people I showed it to like it. In fact, they encouraged me to keep going but all I could see was the problems I had in the novel and that it never became big.


This hits too close to home.

[kikijewell]

I try to teach children to reflect on their success when they come to me for approval. "That must feel so good!" It helps build that skill, and will hopefully help in adulthood.

[angelasylvain]

I didn’t cry when my sister suddenly died. That was years ago. Since then, I’ve noticed that I don’t seem to have strong emotions either way - joy or sadness.

[DeannaDionne]

In January I created a new kind of artwork that is unique, beautiful, and an exciting new direction. I was so stoked to make more in that vein. A few weeks later I knocked out another in one weekend and when it was done I felt 🖤nothing🖤. That was when I started to realize something was very wrong, and I couldn’t rely on that feeling from my most meaningful flow-state activity I’d been relying on my whole life- art-making. Your posts have found me at a good time and I appreciate knowing it’s temporary and that I can’t just live for my feelings. Thank you for your videos

[Lindaheal]

This is definitely something I've wrestled with for decades. Many times I've looked back over my planning calendars and have been shocked at the things I have experienced or accomplished. If I really focus on the details of the experiences that I remember I sometimes have a glimmer of feeling a sense of accomplishment, but the feelings quickly dissolve leaving me back to feeling worthless and miserable. I really appreciate the analogy of having been injected with a local anesthetic right around the heart, it fits the experience perfectly.

[jeremiahalexander]

I have this problem. I mentioned it to my therapist. She suggested that i keep a record of achievements in a journal, no matter how big or small, so i can reflect on them when i feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. I’ve always had a tough time basking in the glory of accomplishment. I am always critiquing something that I’ve done for weeks or even months after I’ve done it.

[jeneuweenlaf]

Makes sense. I was unable to feel feelings for decades. Didn't know how I felt from one choice to another. Gave up stuff that decades later realised wldve made my life so much better. Sh***ty way to live.

[Michelle.]

I do believe that I have Anhedonia.
It’s a very strange thing, you know that you’ve accomplished a goal or something good has happened for you, yet you feel nothing. This can then make me feel ungrateful in a sense. I hope that I can come out of this blockage sooner than later.

[edainari]

I DEFINITELY feel this. Thank you for drawing attention to it.

[PaulHedges-zyvb]

Anhedonia has got to be the worst part of severe depression. What to do?

[lisageese]

I just got news that I got a new job after being unemployed for 8 months. I thought I would be happier! I tried to talk to my different emotional 'parts' about it and ask anxiety and critic to stand down and let celebration/achievement have a say. That part feels like it is trying to say what a happy person would say, but not really feeling the happiness. But at least anxiety and critic quieted down and that is something. I also recognize I would be very unhappy if I hadn't gotten the job. So maybe I'm not feeling the happy, but I am taking time to notice and appreciate the *reduction* of sadness or fear!

[Leokat]

I have been experiencing severe depression and loss of feelings other than anger. I have been put down, mocked, rejected, ridiculed and called names for too long. Don’t think I sat there and just took it. It just came from the people I loved the most. Now I care about nothing, not even myself. I’m looking forward to the day God takes me home.

[scottjackson]

I appreciate your highlighting this phenomenon. I never know how much self-appreciation is healthy or normal. I’m sure you know that social media is rife with “narcissist sniffers.” These people purport to tell us how best to detect characteristics of self absorption and vanity in others. If I am proud of my own work, and let others know that I am proud, does that portend covert narcissism on my part? It does to the sniffers.

[NorahsYarnArt]

I did my masters and didn’t show up at my graduation ceremony 😢 and now I know why.

[likesgood]

fact. such a big one. and it is real. it doesn't mean anything. I can't make it mean anything but complicating all the stuff i touch i f up.

[Kate]

Me minimizing my book deal...and all kinds of other good things that have been coming into my life

[jennifershort]

Other people are much more excited about my "achievements" than I am. I just can't enjoy success in things I felt forced to do especially.

[debbiereichelt]

Yep. Something good will come into my life from working my a$$ off for it and all I say to myself is "meh".😮

[briananderson]

I just finished a second master’s degree last August at 57 years old, and I felt nothing. The diploma is melting in my trunk, and the only thing I have to look forward to are years of loan re-payments. Hmmm.