Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
FAQ
Anhedoniais the inability or reduced ability to feel pleasure. When a person suffers from anhedonia, they lose interest in the activities, hobbies, or experiences they used to love.
It has been associated with many mental disorders, includingdepression,bipolar disorder,schizophrenia, and substance use disorder.People who have physical conditions like chronic pain and Parkinson’s disease may also experience anhedonia.
This article discusses the types, causes, and symptoms of anhedonia. It also covers how it’s diagnosed and treated.
Types of Anhedonia
Some researchers divide anhedonia into two types: social and physical.
Social anhedoniarevolves around social situations. It causes a decreased interest in social interactions and reduced pleasure from engaging in social situations.
Physical anhedoniadescribes a person’s inability to feel pleasure from physical things that are normally pleasurable. This includes eating, touching a loved one, and engaging in sexual interactions.
What Causes Anhedonia?
It’s unclear exactly what causes anhedonia. Research suggests that it may be closely tied to parts of thebraininvolved in reward, decision-making, anticipation, and motivation. People with anhedonia may be unable to anticipate good things and find motivation. They also have problems accurately judging the effort required to achieve a certain reward.
Anhedonia is linked to several mental health disorders. It is considered one of the core features ofdepression.People withschizophreniaoften report both physical and social anhedonia.
Research has shown that depression inbipolar disorderis also associated with anhedonia. Doctors use the severity of anhedonia to determine how severe a case of bipolar disorder is.
Anhedonia-like symptoms may occur when usingrecreational drugsor when going through withdrawal. Also, researchers have found that those who already have anhedonia may be more likely to start taking recreational drugs. They may also be more likely to become addicted.
Other conditions associated with anhedonia include:
The severity of anhedonia may be linked to the related health condition. A study found that people with schizophrenia, substance use disorder, Parkinson’s disease, or chronic pain experience moderate levels of anhedonia. Those with depression have more severe anhedonia.
Symptoms of Anhedonia
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
The symptoms of anhedonia depend on the type.
Symptoms of social anhedonia may include:
Symptoms of physical anhedonia may include:
A person with anhedonia may miss out on big life events. By not maintaining their social connections, people with anhedonia may also have strained relationships and even a loss of social connections.
Anhedonia vs. Apathy: Are They the Same?These conditions are not the same, but it’s possible to have both at the same time.Anhedonia is the lack of enjoyment or pleasure, whileapathyis a lack of interest in normal daily tasks and social activities. Although the two are closely linked, apathy is broader in scope than anhedonia.
Anhedonia vs. Apathy: Are They the Same?
These conditions are not the same, but it’s possible to have both at the same time.Anhedonia is the lack of enjoyment or pleasure, whileapathyis a lack of interest in normal daily tasks and social activities. Although the two are closely linked, apathy is broader in scope than anhedonia.
Complications
Research has also shown that anhedonia may be a risk factor for dementia-related diseases, such asAlzheimer’s disease. In a 2019 study, older adults with anhedonia were five times more likely to develop dementia than peers without anhedonia.
Anhedonia has also been associated with a heightened risk of adverse cardiac events among patients with heart conditions.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
How Is Anhedonia Diagnosed?
Medical professionals often use anhedonia as a symptom to diagnose a mental health illness. For example, anhedonia may lead your healthcare professional to look into whether you have depression or bipolar disorder.
Anhedonia can be measured using a questionnaire. One of the most popular ones is the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).
It consists of 14 statements about enjoyable situations typically encountered in daily life. This might include food or drinks and interests or pastimes.You’re asked to rate how strongly you agree or disagree with statements based on your memories of the past few days.
Treatment for Anhedonia
Treatment for anhedonia depends on the condition it’s associated with, so talking with a healthcare provider is the first step. If they rule out a medical cause for your symptoms, they may refer you to a psychiatrist,psychologist, or other mental health professional. You can also ask your health insurance company to help you find a mental health professional.
Medications and Therapy
For people with depression,antidepressantsmay be prescribed. Conventional antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have shown a modest benefit for anhedonia. A variety of different antidepressants, such as bupropion, dextromethorphan combined with bupropion, and agomelatine may be more effective.
People with schizophrenia are often treated with antipsychotic medications.
Along with medications, treatment may also includepsychotherapy.
You should never quit taking your prescribed antidepressant without speaking to your healthcare provider first. Let them know if it’s not helping or you’re experiencing unwanted side effects. They will determine whether your medication dose needs to be changed or if you need a new medication (and how to safely make the change).
Some medications may be able to help with anhedonia associated with physical conditions. For example, research shows that people with Parkinson’s disease experience a reduction in anhedonia after receiving treatment with dopamine agonist medications such as pramipexole.
Studies have shown that ketamine (an anesthetic typically used for surgery) has been effective in reducing or improving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression and anhedonia. However, the literature is limited, so more studies are needed.
Since anhedonia may be associated with deficits in the reward system of the brain, a different approach may be necessary for its treatment.
Positive Affect Treatment (PAT)
PAT is an intervention aimed at increasing reward sensitivity. Examples of reward sensitivity treatment include scheduling activities that provide a sense of accomplishment, looking for the positive in problematic situations, engaging in generosity daily, and rehearsing positive emotions related to potential upcoming events.
One study found that positive affect treatment (PAT) resulted in better outcomes than treatment focused on reducing negative feelings. This approach attempts to increase the brain’s sensitivity to rewards.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT involves a healthcare provider placing electrodes on the head and applying an electric current while the person undergoing the procedure is under general anesthesia. This causes a brief, controlled brain seizure.
It is most often used with individuals who have a serious mental illness, such as major depression or bipolar disorder.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
During TMS, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the person’s scalp near the forehead. Short magnetic pulses are painlessly directed into an area of the brain that controls moods. The magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
TMS is safe and effective and is used to treat a range of conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, and substance use disorders.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Treatment with VNS involves using a pulse generator (about the size of a stopwatch) that is placed in the upper left side of the chest to send mild electrical pulses through thevagus nerveto the brainstem. The vagus nerve carries messages between your brain and other areas of your body, controlling functions such as heart rate, digestion, immune response, and mood.
VNS has been used for decades to treat seizure disorders and treatment-resistant depression.
Summary
Anhedonia is when your ability to feel pleasure is reduced or absent. You lose interest in the things that normally give you pleasure and may withdraw from social interactions.
Anhedonia has been associated with different mental disorders and physical conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain. Treatment of anhedonia involves addressing the condition that it’s associated with.
Frequently Asked Questions
The timeframe can be different for everyone. It could last days, weeks, or months. When you get treatment for the underlying condition, anhedonia will typically improve as well.
The best thing you can do for someone with anhedonia is to offer them support while they seek out treatment. Encourage your loved one to seek the help they need.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Trøstheim M, Eikemo M, Meir R, et al.Assessment of anhedonia in adults with and without mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(8):e2013233. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13233Barkus E, Badcock JC.A transdiagnostic perspective on social anhedonia.Front Psychiatry.2019;10:216. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00216Serretti A.Anhedonia and depressive disorders.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2023;21(3):401-409. doi:10.9758/cpn.23.1086Husain M, Roiser JP.Neuroscience of apathy and anhedonia: a transdiagnostic approach.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018;19(8):470-484. doi:10.1038/s41583-018-0029-9Cooper JA, Arulpragasam AR, Treadway MT.Anhedonia in depression: biological mechanisms and computational models.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018;22:128-135. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.024Dimick MK, Hird MA, Fiksenbaum LM, Mitchell RHB, Goldstein BI.Severe anhedonia among adolescents with bipolar disorder is common and associated with increased psychiatric symptom burden.J Psychiatr Res.2021;134:200-207. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.031Destoop M, Morrens M, Coppens V, Dom G.Addiction, anhedonia, and comorbid mood disorder. A narrative review.Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:311. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00311Nagayama H, Maeda T, Uchiyama T, et al.Anhedonia and its correlation with clinical aspects in Parkinson’s disease.J Neurol Sci. 2017;372:403-407. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2016.10.051Sipos-Lascu D, Vesa ȘC, Perju-Dumbravă L.Apathy and anhedonia: clinical and neurophysiological assessment of a Romanian cohort.Brain Sci. 2021;11(6):729. doi:10.3390/brainsci11060729Bonanni L, Gualtieri F, Lester D, et al.Can anhedonia be considered a suicide risk factor? A review of the literature.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 9;55(8):458. doi:10.3390/medicina55080458Lee JR, Suh SW, Han JW, et al.Anhedonia and dysphoria are differentially associated with the risk of dementia in the cognitively normal elderly individuals: a prospective cohort study.Psychiatry Investig. 2019 Aug;16(8):575-580. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.06.07Vaquero-Puyuelo D, De-la-Cámara C, Olaya B, et al.Anhedonia as a potential risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease in a community-dwelling elderly sample: results from the ZARADEMP project.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(4):1370. doi:10.3390/ijerph18041370Nogo D, Jasrai AK, Kim H, et al.The effect of ketamine on anhedonia: improvements in dimensions of anticipatory, consummatory, and motivation-related reward deficits.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(7):2011-2039. doi:10.1007/s00213-022-06105-9Craske MG, Meuret AE, Echiverri-Cohen A, et al.Positive affect treatment targets reward sensitivity: a randomized controlled trial.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2023;91(6):350-366. doi:10.1037/ccp0000805Craske MG, Meuret AE, Ritz T, Treanor M, Dour H, Rosenfield D.Positive affect treatment for depression and anxiety: a randomized clinical trial for a core feature of anhedonia.J Consult Clin Psychol.2019 May;87(5):457-471. doi:10.1037/ccp0000396National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS, and other brain stimulation therapies.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Trøstheim M, Eikemo M, Meir R, et al.Assessment of anhedonia in adults with and without mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(8):e2013233. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13233Barkus E, Badcock JC.A transdiagnostic perspective on social anhedonia.Front Psychiatry.2019;10:216. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00216Serretti A.Anhedonia and depressive disorders.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2023;21(3):401-409. doi:10.9758/cpn.23.1086Husain M, Roiser JP.Neuroscience of apathy and anhedonia: a transdiagnostic approach.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018;19(8):470-484. doi:10.1038/s41583-018-0029-9Cooper JA, Arulpragasam AR, Treadway MT.Anhedonia in depression: biological mechanisms and computational models.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018;22:128-135. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.024Dimick MK, Hird MA, Fiksenbaum LM, Mitchell RHB, Goldstein BI.Severe anhedonia among adolescents with bipolar disorder is common and associated with increased psychiatric symptom burden.J Psychiatr Res.2021;134:200-207. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.031Destoop M, Morrens M, Coppens V, Dom G.Addiction, anhedonia, and comorbid mood disorder. A narrative review.Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:311. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00311Nagayama H, Maeda T, Uchiyama T, et al.Anhedonia and its correlation with clinical aspects in Parkinson’s disease.J Neurol Sci. 2017;372:403-407. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2016.10.051Sipos-Lascu D, Vesa ȘC, Perju-Dumbravă L.Apathy and anhedonia: clinical and neurophysiological assessment of a Romanian cohort.Brain Sci. 2021;11(6):729. doi:10.3390/brainsci11060729Bonanni L, Gualtieri F, Lester D, et al.Can anhedonia be considered a suicide risk factor? A review of the literature.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 9;55(8):458. doi:10.3390/medicina55080458Lee JR, Suh SW, Han JW, et al.Anhedonia and dysphoria are differentially associated with the risk of dementia in the cognitively normal elderly individuals: a prospective cohort study.Psychiatry Investig. 2019 Aug;16(8):575-580. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.06.07Vaquero-Puyuelo D, De-la-Cámara C, Olaya B, et al.Anhedonia as a potential risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease in a community-dwelling elderly sample: results from the ZARADEMP project.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(4):1370. doi:10.3390/ijerph18041370Nogo D, Jasrai AK, Kim H, et al.The effect of ketamine on anhedonia: improvements in dimensions of anticipatory, consummatory, and motivation-related reward deficits.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(7):2011-2039. doi:10.1007/s00213-022-06105-9Craske MG, Meuret AE, Echiverri-Cohen A, et al.Positive affect treatment targets reward sensitivity: a randomized controlled trial.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2023;91(6):350-366. doi:10.1037/ccp0000805Craske MG, Meuret AE, Ritz T, Treanor M, Dour H, Rosenfield D.Positive affect treatment for depression and anxiety: a randomized clinical trial for a core feature of anhedonia.J Consult Clin Psychol.2019 May;87(5):457-471. doi:10.1037/ccp0000396National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS, and other brain stimulation therapies.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Trøstheim M, Eikemo M, Meir R, et al.Assessment of anhedonia in adults with and without mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(8):e2013233. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13233Barkus E, Badcock JC.A transdiagnostic perspective on social anhedonia.Front Psychiatry.2019;10:216. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00216Serretti A.Anhedonia and depressive disorders.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2023;21(3):401-409. doi:10.9758/cpn.23.1086Husain M, Roiser JP.Neuroscience of apathy and anhedonia: a transdiagnostic approach.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018;19(8):470-484. doi:10.1038/s41583-018-0029-9Cooper JA, Arulpragasam AR, Treadway MT.Anhedonia in depression: biological mechanisms and computational models.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018;22:128-135. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.024Dimick MK, Hird MA, Fiksenbaum LM, Mitchell RHB, Goldstein BI.Severe anhedonia among adolescents with bipolar disorder is common and associated with increased psychiatric symptom burden.J Psychiatr Res.2021;134:200-207. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.031Destoop M, Morrens M, Coppens V, Dom G.Addiction, anhedonia, and comorbid mood disorder. A narrative review.Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:311. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00311Nagayama H, Maeda T, Uchiyama T, et al.Anhedonia and its correlation with clinical aspects in Parkinson’s disease.J Neurol Sci. 2017;372:403-407. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2016.10.051Sipos-Lascu D, Vesa ȘC, Perju-Dumbravă L.Apathy and anhedonia: clinical and neurophysiological assessment of a Romanian cohort.Brain Sci. 2021;11(6):729. doi:10.3390/brainsci11060729Bonanni L, Gualtieri F, Lester D, et al.Can anhedonia be considered a suicide risk factor? A review of the literature.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 9;55(8):458. doi:10.3390/medicina55080458Lee JR, Suh SW, Han JW, et al.Anhedonia and dysphoria are differentially associated with the risk of dementia in the cognitively normal elderly individuals: a prospective cohort study.Psychiatry Investig. 2019 Aug;16(8):575-580. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.06.07Vaquero-Puyuelo D, De-la-Cámara C, Olaya B, et al.Anhedonia as a potential risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease in a community-dwelling elderly sample: results from the ZARADEMP project.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(4):1370. doi:10.3390/ijerph18041370Nogo D, Jasrai AK, Kim H, et al.The effect of ketamine on anhedonia: improvements in dimensions of anticipatory, consummatory, and motivation-related reward deficits.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(7):2011-2039. doi:10.1007/s00213-022-06105-9Craske MG, Meuret AE, Echiverri-Cohen A, et al.Positive affect treatment targets reward sensitivity: a randomized controlled trial.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2023;91(6):350-366. doi:10.1037/ccp0000805Craske MG, Meuret AE, Ritz T, Treanor M, Dour H, Rosenfield D.Positive affect treatment for depression and anxiety: a randomized clinical trial for a core feature of anhedonia.J Consult Clin Psychol.2019 May;87(5):457-471. doi:10.1037/ccp0000396National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS, and other brain stimulation therapies.
Trøstheim M, Eikemo M, Meir R, et al.Assessment of anhedonia in adults with and without mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(8):e2013233. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13233
Barkus E, Badcock JC.A transdiagnostic perspective on social anhedonia.Front Psychiatry.2019;10:216. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00216
Serretti A.Anhedonia and depressive disorders.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2023;21(3):401-409. doi:10.9758/cpn.23.1086
Husain M, Roiser JP.Neuroscience of apathy and anhedonia: a transdiagnostic approach.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018;19(8):470-484. doi:10.1038/s41583-018-0029-9
Cooper JA, Arulpragasam AR, Treadway MT.Anhedonia in depression: biological mechanisms and computational models.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018;22:128-135. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.024
Dimick MK, Hird MA, Fiksenbaum LM, Mitchell RHB, Goldstein BI.Severe anhedonia among adolescents with bipolar disorder is common and associated with increased psychiatric symptom burden.J Psychiatr Res.2021;134:200-207. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.031
Destoop M, Morrens M, Coppens V, Dom G.Addiction, anhedonia, and comorbid mood disorder. A narrative review.Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:311. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00311
Nagayama H, Maeda T, Uchiyama T, et al.Anhedonia and its correlation with clinical aspects in Parkinson’s disease.J Neurol Sci. 2017;372:403-407. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2016.10.051
Sipos-Lascu D, Vesa ȘC, Perju-Dumbravă L.Apathy and anhedonia: clinical and neurophysiological assessment of a Romanian cohort.Brain Sci. 2021;11(6):729. doi:10.3390/brainsci11060729
Bonanni L, Gualtieri F, Lester D, et al.Can anhedonia be considered a suicide risk factor? A review of the literature.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 9;55(8):458. doi:10.3390/medicina55080458
Lee JR, Suh SW, Han JW, et al.Anhedonia and dysphoria are differentially associated with the risk of dementia in the cognitively normal elderly individuals: a prospective cohort study.Psychiatry Investig. 2019 Aug;16(8):575-580. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.06.07
Vaquero-Puyuelo D, De-la-Cámara C, Olaya B, et al.Anhedonia as a potential risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease in a community-dwelling elderly sample: results from the ZARADEMP project.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(4):1370. doi:10.3390/ijerph18041370
Nogo D, Jasrai AK, Kim H, et al.The effect of ketamine on anhedonia: improvements in dimensions of anticipatory, consummatory, and motivation-related reward deficits.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(7):2011-2039. doi:10.1007/s00213-022-06105-9
Craske MG, Meuret AE, Echiverri-Cohen A, et al.Positive affect treatment targets reward sensitivity: a randomized controlled trial.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2023;91(6):350-366. doi:10.1037/ccp0000805
Craske MG, Meuret AE, Ritz T, Treanor M, Dour H, Rosenfield D.Positive affect treatment for depression and anxiety: a randomized clinical trial for a core feature of anhedonia.J Consult Clin Psychol.2019 May;87(5):457-471. doi:10.1037/ccp0000396
National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS, and other brain stimulation therapies.
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