What Is Anhedonia?

Anhedonia is a word that describes a reduced interest in activities an individual used to enjoy, as well as a decreased ability to feel pleasure. It’s a core symptom of major depressive disorder, but it can also be a symptom of other mental health disorders.

Not everyone who experiences anhedonia has a diagnosed mental health issue.

What are the symptoms of anhedonia?

While researchers are still debating whether anhedonia can truly be categorized into two main types, some literature suggests that this mental health issue can be divided into social anhedonia and physical anhedonia.

Social anhedonia is often defined as an increased disinterest in all aspects of interpersonal relationships and a lack of pleasure in social situations. Physical anhedonia is an inability to feel tactile pleasures such as eating, touching, or sex.

The symptoms of anhedonia can include:

• social withdrawal
• diminished pleasure derived from daily activities
• a lack of relationships or withdrawal from previous relationships
• less of an interest in previous hobbies
• a loss of libido or a lack of interest in physical intimacy

What are the risk factors for anhedonia?

If you have been diagnosed with depression or schizophrenia, there is an increased risk of developing anhedonia. Other risk factors include:

• living with PTSDTrusted Source from a traumatic event or events
• a chronic illness that impacts your quality of life
• an eating disorderTrusted Source

How is anhedonia diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your general mood. They may also ask if you have a history of using substances such as illegal drugs.

Your doctor may perform a physical exam to determine if you have any physical problems.

Additionally, your doctor may order a blood draw to test for a vitamin deficiency (like vitamin D)Trusted Source or a thyroid problem, which could be contributing to symptoms of depression.

How is anhedonia treated?

Anhedonia can be challenging to treat. In many cases, treatment starts with tools to help you manage the mental health issue that’s likely causing the symptom, such as depression.

The first step in your treatment should be seeking the help of a medical professional. A primary care professional should be your first choice to rule out a medical cause of your symptoms. If they don’t find any medical issues, they may recommend you see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional.

A primary care professional can refer you to a therapist, or you can ask your insurance company to help you find someone.

Medications and therapy

Your treatment may include talk therapy, along with prescription medications such as antidepressants. In some cases, other classes of medications may be recommended, your doctor will help you create a treatment plan that is right for you.

You should take the medication as prescribed and let your doctor know if you have any side effects. They may need to adjust your dosage or medication.

These medications affect people in different ways. A medication that works for you may not work for someone else with the same symptoms.

ECT therapy

Another type of treatment that may be used in some cases is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is one of the most effective treatments for severe depression that has not been relieved by therapy or medication. Some expertsTrusted Source feel that it should be used sooner rather than later — especially with people who have uncomplicated depression.

During this treatment, a doctor places electrodes on the head and applies an electric current while the person undergoing the procedure is under general anesthesia. This induces a small brain seizure.

TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells. It uses a smaller electric current than ECT and does not require general anesthesia. TMS can treat major depressionTrusted Source in people who have depression that is not responding to medication.

VNS

A third treatment option is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Your doctor will implant a medical device similar to a pacemaker in your chest. The wires of this device create regular electrical impulses that stimulate your brain. As with ECT and TMS, VNS can treat depression in people who have depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Source: healthline