Anhedonia is the reduced ability or inability to experience pleasure from activities once found enjoyable. It is commonly associated with depression and other mood disorders.
Key Points:
- Types of Anhedonia:
- Consummatory Anhedonia: Difficulty enjoying a pleasurable experience in the moment.
- Anticipatory Anhedonia: Difficulty looking forward to or anticipating pleasure from future events.
- Underlying Mechanisms: Often linked to dysregulation of the brain’s reward system, particularly involving dopamine.
- Treatment: Antidepressants, psychotherapy, and sometimes lifestyle interventions (such as structured activities) can help.
