One of the more common symptoms of depression is what is known in psychology circles as “anhedonia”. Most people see this word and go “huh?” then continue their lives. However for those people who experience anhedonia, it’s an incredibly debilitating aspect of depression and is one that more people need to understand. Without that understanding, others can make suggestions that seem like impossibilities, or simply say things that are cruel without realizing it.
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I’ve also noticed that some experiencing this are extremely intelligent.
I really do believe that at some point you can become desensitised to materials that are not at all stimulating. For a famous person, your mind may also need to preserve some energy…simply meeting and having to interact with sooooo many individuals who want your attention each day would no doubt be draining over many years. I have complete understanding for a star’s need to disconnect at anytime for the sake of self-preservation. I do it with family on some weekends…no phone etc…what’s the worst that can happen??? They send a telegram or message via bird or turn up on my doorstep.
Anhedonia is horrible. You just lose interest in doing things you once used to love. I’m a writer for example, but for a while I’ve the interest in it. What’s even worse is that it’s hard to find someone who understands. However, for a while, I’ve been trying to figure out if I should subscribe to psychiatric treatment.
[…] thing that I dislike the most about depression is anhedonia. I get anhedonia like nobody’s business. For those who don’t know, anhedonia is a loss […]
[…] example if all I want is to lie in bed and do nothing (as has been the case recently), I know that anhedonia is one of the problems, and that what I’m really craving is something that makes me feel […]
I think this is what i suffer from. I have been diagnosed with depresssion and take medication for it. However i find it hard to feel love for my boyfriend. Even though i know i love him. Does this sound familiar. All i want is to get my feelings back. Any advice?
Hey thanks for the comment. That sounds really really tough. This is a huge topic, so my first suggestion would be to find a therapist to talk the situation through with. That said, I think it’s good to figure out why you know you love him and what you love about him. That can help remind you why you want to be with the person and give you the motivation to make it through this really difficult time. If you really believe that this is a symptom of your depression, then you have a strong motivation to get meds and therapy and work to get your brain in healthy, working order again. I’m sending all the best thoughts to you. Feel free to email if you want to talk more.
I have been in a relationship for a year and a half with a guy who I have realised has this. He has agreed to go to counselling as he says he doesn’t love me but doesn’t know why. He has more of a connection with me than an ex girlfriend that he was engaged to. He knows there is no reason not to love me but just can’t feel it. Does this sound familiar to anyone? A few years ago he went through something with his child which is an ongoing battle and therefore he has reasons to be depressed. He doesn’t feel he deserves o be happy even though he has done nothing wrong. Do you think the therapy will help? Very difficult for me as I love him and want to stand by him as I know deep down he probably does love me so I don’t want to walk away and he doesn’t want me to either!
I feel like I am experiencing all of this right now and have been for the last 9 months. When I hug my son, boyfriend or a family member I feel absolutely nothing. They all feel like strangers to me. I cannot feel love anymore even for animals. I try traveling, hiking, gardening, or watching t.v. It all feels like one big void. It’s like I’m dead inside. Every day I wake up and my first thought is, please let me FEEL different today. Please let me feel something different from this emptiness. I sleep more than I should just to escape the nothingness. I’ve put on more weight. Has anyone had any success with medication? It doesn’t seem to help.
Finally!! Finally my son has been diagnosed with Anhedonia. He is 26 years old, has spent most of his teenage years till now with every symptom you have described. He has lived in hell and many times all but given up. As a parent it is so hard to deal with being helpless.