Depression Symptoms: Anhedonia

The second in a series of eight videos on the diagnostic symptoms of depression. This time: Anhedonia. What is it and how does it influence depression's tendency to spiral? How do we handle it in therapy?

Here are the others in the series:

Got questions or comments? Ask away. Future posts may involve replies to viewers' questions. Consider subscribing! There's lots more on depression, anxiety, self-care, positive psychology, hikikomori, and other topics coming soon.

#depression #anhedonia

[ashdot]

I've struggled being trapped in this emotional limbo for years now due to my MDD. Anhedonia is being a husk person. Danger doesn't scare you. Fun things don't excite you. You don't care about maintaining relationships or making new ones, because being around people makes you feel like an alien, and frankly there is no benefit (at least that's what my brain tells me) to interacting with people other than for needs, like going to the grocery store. Sometimes I even forget what the expected response is to things, it gets hard to fake being "normal". People think I have Aspergers, anti-social personality disorder, etc. I've been told I'm cold, callous, and cynical. I never wanted to be like this. Easily the most sinister part of depression. I'd rather be sad than feel nothing.

[lynncooper]

Thank you so much for this video. I thought I was on my own, didn't realise it had a name, anhedonia! I've been feeling like this for nearly a year. I have a loving husband, children and Grandchildren but it takes me all my time to get out of bed, never mind out of the house! You are a wonderful man. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. x

[danjones]

I am an around the clock caregiver for my elderly mother. 3 years now, trapped. I am feeling all of this.. Beyond depressed. I feel nothing but despair, hopeless and anticipatory grief. Interested in nothing. Understanding and hearing all of this gives me hope. Thank you.

[pwsbypawe]

Thank you so much, sir. You have the talent to speak to people, even if their english is a foreign language. You made my day brighter! Greetings from Poland, Europe. All the best for you and all the people with anhedonia! Take care!

[dneitzert]

You are a blessing! You’re wording of the feelings of disinterest are spot on! There is a HUGE difference between pleasure and interest. I’m often “dragged” out of my shell to do things that I have no interest of doing, yet once I’m doing them I feel the pleasure. It really is two different issues.

[karenalberini]

It's like Fake It Till You Make It. Your video is the first time I finally felt understood. Thank you for this hope. My depression started early 50's during menopause until now 68. I don't recognize myself at all anymore. I tried every tool in my toolbox that worked before Slogans, support groups, inpt, outpt. TMS ECT Antidepressants, antianxiety and stimulants. I am a devoted Catholic and prayed, journaled retreats, meditation and diet and exercise. This season in my life my energy level almost dead. I isolated, avoided, withdrew, procrastinated, made excuses, pretended. I felt embarrassed, ashamed, a failure in all former roles, overwhelmed about everything. I was GONE. Yes there was monumental relentless trauma but now I couldn't shake it. I just came clean to my family and sent them this video. I was hiding for too long. I will certainly get your woorkbook and watch more videos of yours. So glad you avoided medications and other modalities that never worked for me. When you have a diagnosis you know what your dealing with. And meds were not the answer for me. So grateful I found you. Your one of a kind. 🌹

[ryanmichaelhaley]

This was incredibly insightful, thank you, truly. This was eye opening for me.

[RandyPaterson]

There have been so many comments here wondering how anhedonia is treated and overcome, so I've come up with another two-video series on ten strategies that can be helpful. They're not treatment, obviously - more of a video version of a self-help book. So do not use them as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Nevertheless, these techniques are at the core of the work I do with many clients who have true anhedonia.

[moteq]

In my case, interest is there, but pleasure is gone, which slowly kills my interest on anything. And then when I have momentary pleasure, but interest never comes up, pleasure dies down. So pleasure might come around, but finding anything interesting is like playing darts, except most of the time I don't hit anything.


There have been numerous occasions where I just freak out on what to do when I am out of work because I have nothing to do. Work keeps me busy. When I'm not, I have nothing to do. I tried to do my old hobbies but I am no longer receiving any pleasure. And I can't find any pleasurable activities at all. So most of the time, I stare at my blank computer screen doing nothing, wondering what to do over and over again.


I'm only 22 and I'm currently out of school because of my failing grades. And surprisingly, when I was doing great in school, it felt rewarding. But then eventually I felt indifferent. And when my grades dropped, I also felt indifferent. I feel like an orange that has been squeezed to the point where you can't even get a single drop anymore, and yet is still being squeezed.


I suspect that it could be from my mother's failing irreversible health problems. And even if she gets a little bit better, it will never be the same again. It is a mix of anger, hatred, sadness, disappointment, anguish, and feelings of helplessness currently in my head. The loss of interest in living while getting almost zero pleasure every single day.


Well, I've never seek help anyway. I should have no more excuses considering I will get furloughed from this virus. It felt good writing this though. At least it was something.

[patatas]

Thank you for this I'll start doing stuff to make that color again

[shawnaford]

Wow! This explains so much and relieves a lot of guilt. I reported this loss of interest and pleasure and for years, and just was told it takes time.
The more medications the more loss of feelings. Finally changes physicians who switched me to a reversible MAOI and regained some of me back. Even if someone would of said or labeled anhedonia, and then broke it down as you have done would of been validating the pain of depression. I did learn about this when I finally was able watch lectures by Robert Salpolsky 12 years ago.
I am currently still have anhedonia and fatigue and still seeking a way to get relief from depression instead of will power functioning as it is exhausting. So glad to have found your video. Interesting that it is also categorized as Social and Physical and your explanation resonates more with me especially as it is practical.

[eljabaribilal]

Hey, I've been so passioned about art and comic art making nd I started my studies in art school, but I've drowned into depression and anhedonia have stolen every piece of pleasure i get from art, after i take the pencil with every stroke i feel nothing anymore, i have no interest at all nd I gave up for a long while, art is no longer giving me any sense of pleasure, i've been diagnosed with major depression, and ive been taking fluoxetine after i tried some other ssris in vain, fluoxetine seems to be working, I have less anxiety, i have a bit of energy, i'm not sleepy all the day, i became little bit social, but anhedonia didn't improve, i'm still struggling with it, i'm still without interest nd without any sense of pleasure and reward, what should i do ?

[buenvidanadz]

Anhedonia sucks. I'd rather fracture a bone rather than dwell on anhedonia. Been having this for 3 months now and I honestly don't see no end for this feeling.

[PowerKorrupts]

@2:05 "So what do people drink, I drink to suppress the pain - I understand it's not the long-term answer, but it helps right now.

[sol]

I got depressed and left my favorite sport at the time I had been playing for almost twenty years but after getting really depressed I never had the same feeling again never wanted to play again

[Vladimyrful]

I'm actually the complete opposite - I make myself do things that are 'good for me' (walk in the woods with friends) but feel nothing.

[mirandasutton]

Is there anyway you could do a similar series for bipolar disorder and include mania, hypomania, and mixed episodes? I have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and I really love how you are able to explain the diagnostic criteria in a relatable way and if you were to make a series on bipolar topics it would be a useful tool in helping my family understand a bit more what I am going through! Thank you!

[tman]

This is exactly me, in every way & has been for many many months, due to depression caused by ongoing high stress caused to me by being a victim of crime. Plus more stress caused by the neglect of the police in helping me.

Thank you so much, it helps me that someone understands the issues caused in this way.
My Dr isn't able to understand, or so it seems...just put on antidepressants & told my serotonin levels were low.

[ayzc]

Subscribed... like how you explain things

[goldheartodyssey]

iI haven't been able to feel pleasure or even emotions in general (can't even feel fear, anger, or sadness) for 12 years. I'm not even sure why. It happened randomly and I was actually a very happy person at the time.