Bipolar disorderĪnhedonia in bipolar depression may stem from dysregulation within their reward processing systems. Dopamine, a chemical that contributes to feelings of reward or pleasure, may not be present in appropriate quantities in people experiencing this symptom of depression. While there are several theories about the causes of depression, anhedonia is associated with a problem in the brain’s reward system. They may then feel despondent because they cannot enjoy previously-enjoyed activities. An avid reader, for example, might suddenly find they get no enjoyment from reading. DepressionĪnhedonia is most commonly associated with depression, and for many depressed people, anhedonia is their primary symptom. Problems with procrastination and motivation can contribute to increased anhedonia, although these contributing factors may also have their origins in brain chemistry. In some cases, lifestyle choices can influence the presence of anhedonia. In addition to depression, anhedonia is connected to a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), bipolar, anxiety, and certain types of dementia. Anhedonia can also make it more difficult to establish a relationship a person with social anhedonia who does not get a sense of enjoyment from spending time with others, for instance, may have a harder time establishing social connections. When a person experiences prolonged anhedonia, they may encounter relationship difficulties, particularly if they no longer gain a sense of pleasure when engaging in emotional or physical intimacy. It’s not uncommon for a person to experience apathy and anhedonia simultaneously. It is also associated with some other mental health conditions.Īnhedonia is distinct from apathy in that while apathy refers to a lack of motivation or energy investment on many levels, anhedonia is the lack of a specific feeling: pleasure.
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