The sound of a crackling fire. The feel of a warm shower. The smell of bread baking in the oven. Many people take delight in these experiences. But for people with anhedonia, these little pleasures can feel meaningless.
Experts typically describe anhedonia as the reduced ability to feel enjoyment in activities or experiences that once brought pleasure. It's a condition associated with several mental health disorders, and it's a primary symptom of major depressive disorder.
Clinicians are still learning how to treat anhedonia. The condition is complex, and researchers don't even agree on a definition. Problematically, as many as 20 percent of Americans will experience depression in their lifetime and are at risk of developing anhedonia.
What Is Anhedonia?
Anhedonia is typically defined as the loss of enjoyment in daily activities and experiences that a person previously found pleasurable. People with depression or schizophrenia are at greater risk of developing anhedonia. The condition has also been observed in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic illnesses and eating disorders.
