Why You Feel Nothing Anymore (ANHEDONIA) —And How to Get Your Joy Back

In this video, Dr. Sanil Rege breaks down anhedonia—a core symptom of depression and other mental health conditions. Anhedonia isn't just about losing pleasure; it's about losing motivation, connection, and drive.

🔹 Why does the brain stop experiencing pleasure?
🔹 How does anhedonia affect daily life and mental health?
🔹 How is anhedonia clinically measured?
🔹 What treatments can help restore motivation and joy?

Dr. Rege explores the neuroscience behind anhedonia, the role of the prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and dopamine, and why traditional treatments often fall short. You’ll also learn about medication options, neuromodulation, behavioral activation, and psychotherapy strategies to rewire the brain’s reward system.

Subscribe to Psychiatry Simplified for more insightful discussions on psychiatry, neuroscience, and mental health, and share your experiences with overthinking in the comments below.
#Anhedonia, #MentalHealth, #Depression, #EmotionalNumbness, #LossOfPleasure, #BrainRewardSystem, #Dopamine, #Motivation, #PsychiatrySimplified, #Neuroscience, #Psychiatry, #MentalHealthEducation, #BehavioralActivation, #Psychotherapy, #Neuroplasticity

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[anniesshenanigans]

and I am sick to death of people saying "find your passion".

[handyhacker]

It's heartbraking how any connection you build up with friends just becomes worthless, no matter how hard you try to keep it up, it's all fake and superficial at that point unfortunately.

[Fair_ministry]

I'm a recovering 25 year cocaine addict I know all about anhedonia It was 4 years after quitting before I got a taste of dopamine naturally, but boy was it worth the wait and thankfully it keeps coming through learning, I get a blast every time I come to a full understanding of something I'm studying

[anniesshenanigans]

I have been 'FLAT" since I was 16 years old. Now 61. It's just life. I have had tiny brief seconds of 'joy' and they are very overwhelming. NOthing has changed it. Drugs made it worse with crazy side effects. Therapy helped but I did not do that long term due to lack of caring about it. It's made life difficult and relationships impossible.

[The_Mimewar]

I’m not sad. I’m not depressed. I’m very active (I walk miles a day), nothing is WRONG, and yet I’ve lost all my insides. I just don’t care about anything. At all. I’m super creative and I ENJOY making things and it’s gone. It’s just not there anymore. I don’t even know where to start.

[kathleensullivan]

My best friend took himself off the life side and I found him 😢.. I became completely logical within 2 years of this trauma. I can't really remember who I was b4 everything in me became strictly logical. 😢 I firmly believe that the trauma of that horrific moment and the wailing 😩 of wild animals that came from me in mourning him day after day, and night after night changed me completely. I don't mind . Life's far easier to navigate now ❤

[tickledpickle]

Every single day, when people ask me how I am, all I can muster to say is. "Eh. existing."
I already love this channel. And it's some sorely needed help given a less than stellar experience with mental health professionals over the past 8 or so months.

[wubwub]

This video provided me with frontoparietal stumulation that will make me want to keep watching your videos

[SuperTundra]

After several years of being on opioid pain meds for chronic pain. Anhedonia hit me hard. Took about a year to recover from it. Horrible feelings put you in a dark dark

[handyhacker]

All in all, a very based video that reflects what i learned about my illness so far. I was afaid it's gonna be "just find something you like!" but no this was top tier science

[Vlogger-gd]

Legends has it he is still leaving love hearts on comments after 25 years

[annapiotrowska]

I was always crazy about Christmas. Also loved animated movies for kids. Last time I was about to watch one about Christmas with my son I wasn't feeling happy at all. Normally I couldn't wait for it. Now it's different. The thing is that you just don't notice the change. Your mood is slowly going down and for me it was just impossible to notice the change. I believe people can just don't realise they are depressed because of the slow progression.

[yaboicoach]

Very informative! Having experienced this for some time now, im starting to understand it better. The one thing they don't tell is how expensive some of the treatment options are. At some point you just cope instead of having hope itll be fixed..it is what it is✌️

[psychitsjames]

Love your work Sanil. Always informative and important information. The value is in the nuance

[LizKcer]

You know when anhedonia is the worst? When you go on vacation and pay a lot of money, and you feel

[ayasensei]

That’s me! I know the reason why I feel this way. Because I don’t want to be disappointed when I desire something and I know whatever I desire will NOT be happening.

For example, I want to go to climb mountain in this beautiful weather, but I need to sit my ass in front of computer and work 8-5. And I need to repeat everyday to pay bills.

It’s better not to desire anything and don’t feel anything than feel sad and disappointed

[deansupergirl]

The spectrum of anhedonia/apathy is different for everyone. I am still trying to figure out what it is I feel and to what extent. I do manage to feel joy. Sometimes it’s fleeting and the feeling of emptiness comes right back or was always there but I managed to feel pleasure and joy. Other times I just feel overwhelmed, frustrated, sad, angry, and scared by the feeling of emptiness. I know I want to learn not to be scared of it. I’m only overwhelmed and scared of it because I don’t understand it and don’t know what to do about it.

[handyhacker]

I think Selective Anhedonia is probably common in ADHD, as i see some attach to things heavily that still give them pleasure/high enough dopamine to reach the threshhold, while everything else is just dead, numb and terrible.

[eternalhappiness]

I feel nothing but i wouldnt want to go back. Im more happier now then yesterday.

[TracyNewton-qb]

Please help. When I wake up or just before, I have an agonising feeling of morose gray dread. This may happen if an upcoming depression is starting again. Am I the only one who feels this? Great topic, I needed this today. 🙏🏼