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Anhedonia corresponds to the loss of satisfaction and interest in carrying out various activities, such as going out with friends, going to the movies or walking on the beach, for example, which were previously considered pleasant.
This type of change is very common in people who have decreased production of dopamine, an important hormone related to the sensation of pleasure. In addition, the presence of psychological disorders, such as depression or schizophrenia, as well as the consumption of some substances can also be the cause of anhedonia.
It is important that the cause is identified so that treatment can be more targeted, and psychotherapy sessions may be recommended or the use of antidepressant drugs prescribed by the psychiatrist may be recommended.
Anhedonia symptoms
The main symptoms that may indicate anhedonia include:
- Loss of interest in activities that took place previously;
- Concentration difficulties;
- Sleep disorders, with insomnia or excessive sleep;
- Weight loss or increase;
- Loss of libido.
Anhedonia is one of the main symptoms of major depressive disorder. In addition, diseases such as schizophrenia, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, anorexia nervosa, drug abuse and the use of medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics used to treat depression, can also cause anhedonia.
Some risk factors can also lead to the development of anhedonia, such as the occurrence of traumatic or stressful events, a history of abuse or neglect, diseases that have a major impact on the person's quality of life, an eating disorder or family history of major depression or schizophrenia.
How the treatment is done
Anhedonia is curable, but it can be very difficult to treat. It usually consists of treating the underlying disease, such as depression or another psychiatric illness.
The first option is psychotherapy with a therapist, who evaluates the person's psychological state and if necessary refers him to a psychiatrist, who can prescribe medications such as antidepressants or remedies for the person's psychiatric problem.
Medical follow-up should be done regularly, in order to identify possible side effects caused by the drugs and in order to adjust the dose, so that better results are obtained.
Since anhedonia is, in most cases, one of the symptoms of depression, it is important that this condition is identified and treated. See in the video below some ways to identify and help other people who have depression: