Anhedonia means the inability or a lessened ability to feel pleasure. It comes from the Greek words “an-” (without) and “hedone” (pleasure).
This is not simply a passing case of feeling down; anhedonia means a persistent state of lacking interest in life or enjoyment of activities that were once pleasurable. It is a common symptom of mental health conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. Understanding anhedonia can help people experiencing it, as well as their loved ones and any mental health professional treating them.
What is anhedonia
Anhedonia occurs when you consistently lack joy or satisfaction from activities that used to be enjoyable.
Anhedonia symptoms can manifest in different ways: some people might stop being interested in hobbies they once loved, while others might stop enjoying socializing with their friends or loved ones, and others might start feeling indifferent towards things and experiences that used to make them happy. Some people with anhedonia experience all three.
Essentially, anhedonia is an emotional numbness that can be distressing and may lead to a sense of detachment from happiness and life’s pleasures.
Anhedonia symptoms
Experiencing anhedonia can be difficult to describe — its only clear symptom is a lack of happiness, which can be difficult to identify.
Article continues below
Imagine your favourite hobby, the one that used to bring you immense satisfaction — with anhedonia, that hobby now feels like a chore. Or, the vibrant colours of a sunset might appear muted to you, or taking a moment to appreciate its natural beauty may seem pointless.
A once-comforting hug from a loved one leaves you feeling indifferent. If you’re a ‘foodie,’ meals may become simply a source of sustenance. Social interactions, once a source of connection and laughter, now feel obligatory or off-putting.
Anhedonia isn’t just about feeling sad or bored; it main symptom is a deeper emotional disconnect, a lack of the spark that makes life feel fulfilling. One way to understand anhedonia is to think of motivation as a car engine. Pleasure and happiness is the fuel that propels us forward in life, giving us the drive to engage with other people and our environment. Anhedonia is like running out of fuel – the engine sputters, and even basic tasks and activities require significant effort.
This lack of emotional responsiveness can lead to social withdrawal, as you may struggle to connect with others or find enjoyment in their company. For some, it may cause confusion from a sense of not recognising yourself and lead to anxiety or panic.
Examples of anhedonia
Here are some specific examples of anhedonia:
Social anhedonia: Losing interest in spending time with loved ones, avoiding social gatherings, and feeling emotionally distant in social settings. This could lead you to become less talkative than usual, to avoid or dislike others’ attention or questions, or eventually to avoid socialising of any kind.
Physical anhedonia: A loss of interest in or indifference toward intimacy (which could be confused for low sex drive), decreased appetite, or a lack of enjoyment in physical activity, ranging from a gentle walk to a favourite exercise or sport.
Anhedonia towards hobbies: Activities that were once a source of enjoyment no longer bring pleasure. Hobbies could range from playing or listening to music, reading, watching TV or movies, cooking new foods, sketching, painting, or crafting, playing video games, and more. Time-pass activities really feel no more than a pointless way of passing time.
It’s important to note that everyone experiences short periods when life feels less enjoyable, and tastes and hobbies change; this is healthy. However, if these feelings persist for a long time and significantly affect how you feel about life and daily, routine tasks, seeking mental healthcare is critical.
Causes of anhedonia
Anhedonia can arise from various factors. Its causes are both psychological and physiological and include:
Mental health conditions: Anhedonia is linked to mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These disorders often involve disruptions in brain chemistry and neural pathways that affect the experience of pleasure.
Neurological factors: Changes in the brain’s reward system, particularly involving neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, can contribute to anhedonic symptoms. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating mood and emotions. These changes could be the result of mental health conditions, injury, or illness.
Environmental factors: Chronic stress, trauma, or substance abuse can decrease the brain’s ability to experience pleasure over time. Negative life events or ongoing stressors can contribute to the development of anhedonia, or worsen it.
Physical health conditions: Chronic illnesses such as cancer, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, or neurological diseases may also lead to anhedonia due to their impact on overall well-being and emotional regulation.
Understanding the underlying cause of anhedonia is essential for effective treatment and management. It often requires a comprehensive assessment by a qualified mental health professional to determine the appropriate course of action.
Anhedonia and depression
Anhedonia is often a key symptom of depression, though it can also be a sign of other underlying mental health conditions. Anhedonia is particularly a symptom of depression if accompanied by:
- Altered sleep patterns, such as sleeping too much, disrupted sleep, insomnia, or trouble falling asleep despite feeling exhausted
- Persistent tiredness, fatigue, or lack of energy that makes even small tasks feel overwhelming
- Appetite fluctuations, leading to weight loss or gain
- Unexplained aches and pains, including headaches and joint pain
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing, even on simple tasks
- Memory lapses and difficulty recalling past conversations or events
- And other symptoms of depression
Anhedonia treatment
Anhedonia may steal your pleasure, but it doesn’t have to define you. Anhedonia treatment typically involves an individualized combination of the following:
Anhedonia therapy: Consulting a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment planning. They can help identify underlying mental health conditions (or other causes) contributing to anhedonia and recommend appropriate strategies for coping with and improving anhedonia. If anhedonia is related to a state of depression, one-on-one sessions with a qualified therapist or an online self-therapy program is typically recommended.
Medication: In some cases, medications such as antidepressants or mood stabilisers may be prescribed to help regulate brain chemistry (neurotransmitters) and improve the symptoms of anhedonia. These medications can significantly benefit your quality of life and may not be required forever. If you take medication for anhedonia, do actively communicate with the doctor who prescribed it, to monitor its effectiveness and any potential side effects of medications.
Add small, pleasurable activities to your day with no pressure: Even if you don’t feel pleasure, it’s critical to continue small pleasurable activities. But don’t pressure yourself to enjoy them — and don’t try going from zero to 60 overnight. Begin by incorporating small, pleasurable activities into your daily routine: Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk in nature, maybe it’s listening to your favourite song every morning, or maybe it’s a call with a loved one. This can help you keep from losing touch with pleasure altogether.
Practice self-care: Prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, or engaging in regular exercise. Even small improvements in your physical well-being can have a positive impact on your emotional state and decrease anhedonia.
Maintain your social support: You may not feel like socializing, but maintaining connections with supportive friends, family members, or peers can provide emotional reassurance and reduce feelings of isolation. Let a handful of trusted friends or family members know you are struggling to feel enjoyment, so they can support you through a difficult time. Don’t avoid social activities completely, even when they may not initially seem appealing. Social activities can help you re-establish meaningful connections and potentially rediscover lost pleasure in the company of others.
Managing anhedonia requires patience and persistence, as progress varies from person to person and the lack of pleasure can be demotivating. But anhedonia therapy and treatment, setting realistic goals, and celebrating small achievements along the way can help you regain a sense of control and empowerment over their emotional well-being.
Related:
SOURCES:
- De Fruyt J, Sabbe B, Demyttenaere K. Anhedonia in Depressive Disorder: A Narrative Review. Psychopathology (2020) 53 (5-6): 274–281.
- Ho N, Sommers M. Anhedonia: a concept analysis. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2013 Jun;27(3):121-9.
- Watson, R., Harvey, K., McCabe, C. et al. Understanding anhedonia: a qualitative study exploring loss of interest and pleasure in adolescent depression. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 29, 489–499 (2020).
