Then don't. Be you and do what you want or need. I think the past is the way forward as you remember what made you feel happy and alive. Nobody is able to help you like you can help yourself.
This has been driving me crazy. I go through periods of like 8-10 weeks of this. I posted a video about it today on my channel, I would love to hear of anyone can relate.
@@billsimms2511 Thanks for reply. Wellbutrin did not do much for me. I have never heard of the other medication. I got off prozac completely and I seemed to do fine for a few weeks until it completely cleared my system. Now, I am on trintellix. I will look up selegine. If you want, please check out my mental health vlog and comment. I dive deep into what I experience, I would love to know if you can relate.
It’s like my soul left my body. I am completely hollow inside. The only thing left of me is this knowledge that my life is almost over. Everything is dark and bleak and empty.
"It’s like my soul left my body. I am completely hollow inside. The only thing left of me is this knowledge that my life is almost over." Nailed it. Exactly how I've been feeling this past couple of years. It feels like death is near, even though I'm physically healthy. I hope you find a way to come back. If you do, please share with us. Blessings x
I lay in bed in the morning and refuse to open my eyes for as long as I can stand it long after I am awake, because the idea of having to start my day again is so crushing I cannot even stand it. Only when I have to pee so bad I can't ignore it any longer do I make myself open my eyes and get up.
Exactly..... well worded. It's explanation like this,... that helps me understand how I feel. I never experienced this b4. I had a great life , great career job, champion surfer, worked out every day and swam before work. Then,.... Bang!!! I lost my job after decades of fun, relationships, purpose, identity, etc. . ... I began to stress stress incredible hard over thel loss, and change. I got anxiety, then insomnia,.... then horrible depression... I was wondering what happened to my feelings?, why I'm not enjoying ALL the things I used to enjoy.... this really sucks. Hope you're better 🙏
1. Structure to activities - Goals, physical exercise 2. Inventory past pleasures - 3. Get interest out of the driver’s seat - intentions, aspirations, what you need to get done 4. Scale down with acceptance - do things at a smaller scale and accept that the smaller scale is a necessary prerequisite to greater steps 5. Don’t watch how you feel - enjoyment will come gradually, do the things you used to enjoy regardless of how you feel at the beginning, do until you feel it
This doesn't work. I used to ride my bicycle a lot, until one day I asked myself if I was enjoying it. When I realized I didn't, I got off the bike and walked it it home. I never rode the bike again.
I’ve been sober just over a year.. did therapy, all of it. From outside I have the life.. beautiful family, home, health, job etc. yet I feel empty. This video is spot on. And strangely these comments have given me comfort. I’m good with sobriety but I need to find joy within myself again. He said it’s feeling blah.. that resonates so profoundly.
I don't know what's wrong with me. I've had anhedonia for over a year, but I've been exercising, I've been volunteering, I have a good relationship with someone I love, I am really investing in my studies and doing well. However, none of it feels like anything to me. I feel hopeless about the future. I feel like I am going nowhere and everything I do is a waste of time. I struggle to watch videos or play games or anything without a forced structure because a few minutes in I'm like "what's the point". I buy myself bubble tea and hang out with friends in hopes that the next one maybe will finally feel good but it doesn't. I can't even remember what it felt like to be happy. I know there were moments in the past but I can't even imagine what I felt like.
I’m struggling with this so deeply.. everything I do hobby wise I always find myself saying “what’s the point of doing thing?.. wow I’m painting a picture big deal.. it just feels like work now” 😔 everything I use to enjoy feels like a chore and it all feels so numb and pointless ..
For some people - I won't presume to know you or give advice - this is a cue to shift from "what do I feel like doing" or "what will give me pleasure" to "what would be an expression of my values" or "what would be a contribution to the world?" This isn't an abdication of the search for enjoyment - it's often a path toward it.
This is probably the most helpful advice I’ve gotten for getting out of this anhedonia I’ve been stuck in for years. All those excuses he uses? I’ve said them all. But then I stopped doing the activity because I felt what was the point. Now I know to keep at it
@@sam62831 basically staring at the wick of a light up candle for a while minutes without blinking - ideally 10 minutes. It has a lot more to it, google it for more info. It worked for me BTW.
My anhedonia comes in waves with my bipolar disorder. For me a big part of it is reminding myself that i don't suddenly hate the things i once loved. Whats happening is just a flare up, like seasonal allergies.
Thank you so much. This was amazing. You almost saved my life. I couldn't go to therapy because of economical reasons but your video is really helpful. Thank you so much again. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for the information. I will keep the points in mind. I am glad I found this video. I did not know this condition existed until these past 6 months when I have been in absolute emptiness of joy or pleasure…what a horrific way to be alive. But this video has validated my “forcing” myself to workout and go out with friends when I am invited…even if I feel empty.
Struggling with this since the Covid lockdowns. 2020 was a game-changer. Up to that point, I was slim, enjoyed hiking, metal festivals, my friends, music, and painting. But everything changed that year. I lost a colleague, my stepfather, and my favourite metal guitarist (not from Covid). A year later, my best friend and I parted ways. And then there was the trauma of life shutting down for two years. Unseen powers ripped the carpet out from under all of us. They stole everything we once enjoyed, and we couldn't stop them, or fight back. There was nowhere to escape. We had no control over our own lives anymore. Control was being dictated to us. Our lives were theirs to take, at will. My fellow humans became unrecognizable. Their hysteria, cult-like obedience, and open hostility to anyone who asked valid questions. I'd never seen such large swaths of people behave like this, except in movies. I shut down. If they can take away everything I enjoy on a whim, then I just won't enjoy anything anymore. Exercising the last scrap of power I have left. I just want to stay home now, alone, where I feel safe. I've gained a huge amount of weight and avoid going out. People scare me now. Feel like I'm just waiting for death.
Sometimes home and isolation can feel like an escape - a sanctuary. But often people discover that they have only locked themselves in a cell with their worst critic: themselves. Their only contact with the broader, more expansive world is through the angry rants of the internet, which can serve to intensify the stories they have constructed about that world. Often, shutting down the screens and moving outward, even without desire or hope, can reconnect one with the world that one used to enjoy.
Thank you so much for making this video. I don't have energy to seek help from a therapist or from "the outside" in general so this is a great starting point for me.
I'm in the comment section of this video because I have felt practically hollow for way too long. For literal years I haven't been able to feel any positive way towards my old hobbies, and my love for new hobbies fizzles out far too quickly. It's been the exact same way with people, where I want to be their friend for a few days cause I think they're cool, but then I just... ditch them because I can't find the willpower to hold a conversation with them anymore. Anhedonia's got a hold of me by the hair, and I'm worried that it's never letting go.
It can be a real challenge, and no video can make it an easy process. Waiting for the anhedonia to let go, though, is like waiting for the laundry to do itself. Seemingly the best approach is to take outward action in a gradual fashion, as detailed here, and at the same time cultivate an attitude of non-expectation. "I'm doing it because I'm doing it, not because of the emotional payoff that may come." Or in Buddhist terms, "Abandon all hope of fruition," which means to focus on the doing, not the future payoff. The challenge for many is that they do things, and motivate themselves by focussing on the idea that this will make them feel better. The expectation brings disappointment, which reinforces the anhedonia.
thankyou for sharing this, im still 18 and this pandemic makes my life feel more empty. i tried doing different hobbies to have something to be obsessed about but it just never work, i always give up at the end. even drawing used to be my serotonin booster so i entered design major but now it feels like a chore. and it kinda turns me into a porn addict, just for a rush of dopamine or whatever hormon it is, but it only makes me feel worse. what makes it even more worse is that this guilty feeling for not doing anything, i compare myself with others who have less privilege than me but theyre making a progress yet im still stuck feeling useless. thats why i always have the urge to learn or have something to obsessed about. its like a loophole, i hate this feeling. i want to have, at least, a tiny fire in me sorry for the random vent. thats all
My anhedonia has developed for well over two years. This helped me a lot. It gave me motivation to try my best to get out of this hole before I let myself get buried in it.
This is exactly where I’m at. I work an absolutely terrible job that pays well so I’m stuck trying to hang on for retirement. I can’t sleep, I’m exhausted all the time and have trouble focusing on hobbies or chores I am behind on. Friends are all gone and disappeared living their lives and involved in their kid’s activities. I just don’t care anymore. Nothing interests me anymore and I just feel sad and numb. I forced myself to take a vacation recently. It was ok, but now I’m back at this job and the cycle of misery starts all over. The work and life balance is completely off in this country for so many people.
I think you should consider downsizing. I understand that retirement is usually the ultimate goal, but if the journey to get there is making you this miserable you need to take a look at what you really want to prioritize
Wow, this was really helpful. I've been trying for a long time to figure out why I would hit these periods of finding little to no joy in my old activities. Thank you.
It's my birthday... again, and people want to celebrate it again. I don't. I haven't wanted to in years. Ever since my brain injury. Initially after the injury, I completely lost my internal voice and the ability to mentally conceptualize anything and I was the most creative person you knew, an art director and an artist. That was almost 9 years ago. Now, with paper and pencil, I am able to plan and execute things, but it's nothing I ever want to do, only what others, like my partner are requesting, AND it's extremely difficult. I also have memory formation problems, which still persist and I don't remember large swaths of my past. I forgot who I was and what I liked and what I liked to do. Now I am content to stare out of my window in the quiet but wonder where I went and if there's a way back.
Ask someone that knows you on the things you used to enjoy. Then start doing them starting with small easy steps and progressing from there like it was said in the video
I love the gesticulation in combination to the mimic and the tone of voice, besides the articulation and syntactic structure. It's harmonic. It fits together. That gives me chills.
RUclips can't provide individualized care for a person suffering from depression, unfortunately, and the various online resources (including my own) are not a substitute for professional one-to-one care. I do have an extensive course with 100-page guide on self-care for depression, but even it is designed only as an adjunct to genuine one to one care from someone in your area. I encourage you to seek that care out. The online course is here: psychologysalon.teachable.com/p/undoing-depression
Hi,.... unfortunately I've had a traumatic event that kept me in mega Stress 24/7., insomnia, anxiety... into Depression. I read your comment,... and that's me now. I just sit and don't move, then i lay down but can't sleep?.. My life totally sucks now., and I foolishly gave up my great job,.. that I cannot return to.!! Are you OK 👍 now?... I really hope you are doing better. 🙏
@selinamichael5317 awww, so sorry to hear that.! Depression is so unbearable 💔. I'm still struggling, i just can't get out and do anything yet. It's so paralyzing... and the negativity is of my mistakes keep haunting me... its like my spirit just wants my life back. Hope we can both, kick this and be happy again...🙌🫶🙏
@@Yanisbelmeza33 Nope. Exactly the same 10 months later. It's actually crushing to see this comment from myself 10 months ago thinking the exact same thoughts I am right now. Prob not gonna hang on much longer.
@@Mattme83im here , because of same as all of us. I'm suffering hard from anhedonia!!! I hate this so much!!!!! How to live with no interest or desire or pleasure?!!! ... im so afraid, ...
Anhedonia is the worst thing ever. I recognize it's irrational. I spent 3 months in bed. Ruminating, catastrophizing beyond comprehension. Tried everything. Countless therapy videos, research. Visits to my therapist and GP who is also a good psychologist. Calls with loving church members, my parents. Lexapro, Trazadone, Buspirone. All of these things have helped to varying degrees. The guilt that I'm bringing down my family and the people around me have increased the Anhedonia. Went to an animal park with my family and it was excruciating, I rushed my family. All I wanted to do was get back in bed. Then I went to Wal Mart after a good therapy session. I forced myself to greet people with kindness as I walked past them or shopped next to them. The vibes I got back from them lifted my mood. I was onto something. Long story short. Now I'm an Uber driver. The kindest one in the world. It's the best therapy I've ever had. My rating is 4.99 out of 5. Your videos are spot on sir! God Bless You!
The danger with any RUclips video on a psychological subject like this is the implication that working through the challenge is easy. As your reply suggests, this is far from the case. And it virtually never "works" the first try. I'm guessing that the first greeting you gave didn't do much for you, for example. It's a difficult road no matter how one walks it - but at least there IS a road that gets there for most.
@@RandyPaterson Well said. It takes about 3 customers into my typical day to start to emerge from my Anhedonia. But it's the most reliable therapy I've found to date along with the Lexapro. It's very obvious when it's got a hold of me as i normally I love music, though when I'm suffering, it's like to fingernails on a chalkboard. Also I have zero appetite. I'll be getting Ketamine treatments soon as I've heard very promising results. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
@@dherman0001 ohh that's awesome. Glad to hear that. I'm in Australia so not sure if it's available here. Mine is caused by OCD ( well I think it is , in Melbourne we were locked down for 2 year's , lost my job for a bs reason and loved ones in a car accident, so that heavily contributed but the OCD pushed my mental health over, feel like I'm getting better but still not 100% but yeah will definitely look into it
Pretty much my attitude for the longest of time. I'm glad I found what the symptom is called. I'm a very proactive person and he'll bent on doing something because it's what I need to do. I just don't know why I'm doing it. It's just to pass the time until something happens in my life.
You may find it helpful to ask yourself what you'd like to happen. Sometimes creating the life we want is less about doing what rewards us with enjoyment and more about moving ourselves toward a goal. I needed to get through calculus to be a psychologist and didn't enjoy a moment of it, believing (as later proved true) that it would be irrelevant to any research I would one day carry out. Finding at least a part of the destination gives us guidance that our enjoyment often does not.
OK people, here is some practical information that is anhedonia sufferers might actually have the ability to do: Vortioxetine is an SSRI proven in many studies to relieve the symptoms of anhedonia, and bupropion is a norepinephrine and DOPAMINE reuptake inhibitor. I haven't tried bupropion as the vortioxetine worked for me. For us anhedonia sufferers, we need a jump start. For me personally, there's nothing I could make my self DO so I needed medication to jump start me. It worked for me and I feel like the more I get a roll on, the better life is getting. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get off the medication but at least for now, I'm getting relief. If this helps even 1 person then great. Otherwise I completely understand everyone's anhedonia journey is different, and you may have already tried the things I've said, or may not even have access to them in your country. Good luck everyone, we aren't alone, so many people feel our pain!
I appreciate your telling us but me about this but for me personally nawww no pill or whatever that was can help me . i guess for me as long as I can somewhat keep Mine under control as I use mine as a coping mechanism , but I understand that for me all that could change but i pray that it doesn't in a negative way im meaning. , so but yeah thank you for wanting to share. and if that what you mentioned helped you than im glad. uh huh.
Great video. I believe this technique is called behavioral activation. It is proven to be effective with anhedonia in the literature. Unfortunately, my depression has progressed to the point where I no longer have the willpower to commit to and follow through with this approach.
The video describes a combination of behavioural activation (with an emphasis on formerly enjoyed activity) and mindful acceptance (releasing expectations of reaction) that appears to be helpful with most individuals who experience depression-linked anhedonia. The combination seems to be key, as acceptance-without-action or activity-with-regular-expectations don't seem helpful for the majority. The strategies formed the backbone of our anhedonia-based work at a clinic treating severely-depressed and just-out-of-hospital individuals who, for the most part, would still be classified as being in the depths of the problem. That said, there appears to be no intervention for depression that, in itself, works equally well for everyone. Some strategies do nothing for some individuals and are very helpful for others.
Im just counting down towards the end. I've never been alive. At least when i was young, i could distract myself with new toys like a motorcycle or such. Deep depression from age 15 until my early 30's, though i hid it well. Getting close to seventy now, but aware of my mortality since my 20's. Had an accident a few years back and woke up in an ambulance with a brain bleed. I so much wish i hadnt woke up because it would have been the perfect way to go. No pain, no thought, just suddenly gone. So why do i stick around? Out of loyalty to one person who depends on me, who i dont want to hurt. Such is life!
I've realized over the years it's practically useless trying to fix this issue with vitamins and nootropics supplementation, it's all about modifying my behavior and the way I perceive the world. Currently I'm focusing on staying busy, doing things for the sake of doing something, and also finding some positives in anhedonia, which there are a couple. You're right, I need to learn to live with the condition, rather than desperately trying to make it go away.
Altering our behaviour can be a powerful way to promote change. And I do believe that some people can take any supplement they like and not get any benefit. But I will add that for many people, ensuring they eat a nutritious diet or, in some cases, supplementing if they have a clear and documented deficiency, can be helpful. The research linking Vitamin D and mood, for example, remains a tad flaky but seems to be solidifying - as is the evidence that many people in temperate climates are deficient during winter. I recommend many of my clients ask their physician if some reasonable supplementation might be helpful - or at minimum if doing so is contraindicated by anything in their medical history.
I say, hit it with everything you can. I take a plethora of vitamins along with my prescription meds. I watch a ton of self help videos. I force myself to be involved in my children's personal lives.
@@dherman0001 Totally agreed about hitting it with anything you can. Would you mind sharing what you're trying? I have a long list of things I'm trying for my mental health and I would be happy to share if you would benefit; I'm also wondering what yours are so I can try some of them if I haven't yet! All the best!
@@PeaceboneGotFound Absolutely I want to hear yours. Here's some of mine. I've done extensive research on vitamin benefits for mental health. I take L-Tyrisone, C, B Complex, omegas, Zinc, Resveretrol, D+K, Potassium, Magnesium, low dose aspirin and Quercetin. Some of these are for immune boost. Prescriptions I take, Lexapro 20mg daily and Trazadone as needed nightly for sleep, Buspirone to offset the sexual side affects of Lexapro. At my worst I watched a video series called"Therapy in a Nutshell" and guided meditation audio/video. Spent lots of time researching depression/anxiety/Anhedonia to help with rumination. See a therapist weekly who is good at asking questions which make me think about the roots of my illness. My GP also happens to be a trained psychologist and is a personal friend. My church support network has been great. I've forced myself to involve myself with my childrens mental well being. I walk around grocery stores while shopping saying hello and God Bless You to people. The vibes I get back are very therapuetic. I became an Uber Driver for this same reason. I don't need the money really. I avoid politics, movies and shows as much as possible. Drink ensure when I can't eat, to keep the weight on. Only listen to Christian pop music. Can't emphasize reading about mental health enough. On 1 to 10 scale I spent about 10 weeks in bed at a 1 on my most recent breakdown in early July. I got to a 7 but have drifted down to about a 5. Going tomorrow for my first Ketamine infusion, very hopeful about this. Lately, 1 hour I'm at a 7 and the next I'm at a 3.
This is the most useful presentation on the topic of anhedonia I've come across during my recent struggle. It's very practical, straight-talking, and keeps analogies to a minimum. I've been asking myself why this conditions exists at all. There must be some kind of evolutionary upshot to anhedonia. I doubt it's a "kill-switch" for a successful species. It may have been protective. There probably was a "joy" in hunting and gathering. I know I'd be thrilled in finding a patch of wild carrots or figuring out how to catch a fish! Those activities required engagement with the surroundings and probably also with other people. But if we were traumatized by something that happened "out there" while hunting and or gathering, we might be reticent to return to those activities. Maybe at first it was straight-up anxiety. But then when that wears off, we might return to the hunting and gathering but it doesn't "feel" the same. Presumably, enough of us worked through that gray season to keep the species going! But we have to keep leaving the cave!
You may find the book “How Sadness Survived” interesting- it’s an examination of the possible evolutionary significance of depression in humanity’s pre-agrarian history.
You might find this video thought provoking. This may not relate to what you mean, but partly imposter "syndrome" can be a sign that we are leaving our comfort zone and doing something new - so it can be something to pursue rather than avoid. ruclips.net/video/MW1D-j55STo/видео.html
It takes a long time to really discover the depths of your soul. It also can take decades to truly open your heart. If you don't totally love and respect yourself no one else will either. People address me as Sir everywhere I go not just because I'm 64 but because of the aura I project. You see a real lady and no asshole would dare disrespect her. Same reason. Rachel God is your answer. He is your Father, your Creator. He is patiently waiting for your cry. I promise you no religion Bible or church. Just you in your private sacred space of your heart. Give your life to God!!!
I physically can't feel that serotonin I get sometimes, and I never feel motivated. I might feel sad and want to cry but no tears come out, and I constantly want to cry when I'm with my family for no reason. glad I'm not alone here but I'm sorry for everyone else who's experiencing this. It's like I've lost every positive emotion I used to have and I'm only left with anger, sadness etc.
(CURE EMOITIONAL NUMBNESS) Hi friend, hope you are well! . I am Raman and 1 among you who had undergone emotional numbness for about 1 and half year . I am completly fine now. it took me around 8 months frankly speaking to feel again. i have worked harder and harder to during these 7 to 8 months actually to feel my emotions . I had done tons of research to finally come to conclusion that we can again be emotionaly sensitive with some activity , diet , supplements. 1) We have to heal our limbic system of brain , specially amygdala , hypothalamus & preforntal cortex if unhealthy ,causes various mental and personality disorders like a) Social Anhedonia b) schizoid personality disorder , c) autism , d) borderline personality e) avoidance personality and so on 2) work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter (OXYTOCIN) 3) Work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter Dopamine and Norepinepharine from post to pre synaptic at frontal cortex, VTA, Nucieus accumbens and startum part of the brain (resonbile for our craving for socialization and hating isolation working on the mechanisam of "Reward system") Normalize the level of vitamins and minerals that helps in synthesization of such neurotransmitters. & Maintaining Gut health (our second brain) believe it on not it matters alot in order to prohibiting the immune response to cause inflamation that results in brain cells to die 4)CBT & Talk therapy ( only for people with PTSD ) works on subconcious mind that make behaviorial changes to eliminate trigger points that cuases oxidative stress continuously 5) Exercise (any) , Yoga (limbic system ), meditation (metta and normal ) to releif from oxidative stress 6) Diet Which i will explain 7)supplements which i will explain 8) Safely tapper off antidepressants specially SSRI SERTALINE ( this increased my Emotional blunting and ED) i will guide you on this. If u want my guidance contact me at ramankarora1990@gmail.com email subject - eg Emotional numbness whatsapp no. 8360633747 Thats it . it seems difficult but its very easy! I have put alot of time and money to gather this information and read lots of books on science of neurology , psychology, homeopathy, Ayurveda, accupressure science for various mental disorders and mirror neurons . I have done diploma course on neuropsychology. What inspired me? i also suffered from Emotional numbness , prefered isolation, so i felt out of love with my girl friend without any reason and didnot enjoy her company anymore despite she was same loving , caring , loyal, was unable to love back and like my family either. I have lost her now . So i can feel pain of other people as well. Luckily i am just like a normal guy and and no more emotionaly numb, i can have fun, make people laugh wherever i am emotional i am able to cry now i am able to bond people at emotional level. I enjoys my hobbies again. I feel improvements in reasoning and intellectual capability. Different people different reasons 1) Post trauma stress disorder in childhood ( resulting in brain's defence mechanasim that shut down processing of emotions to protect you from further emotional pain as you grow in adulthood very slowly until u reach a point where u fully realize it. ( It could be a product 1 or many painful events of ur life for example , sexualy abused in childhood, parents consitent fights , parents have extra marital affair, parents have not been caring to you , death of parents or closed one , consistent rejection from crush or lover , GF/BF cheating on you and many more . #CBT therapy is effective in this case# 2) Brain injury (specially at prefrontal cortex and limbic system ) resulting in (low IQ , low concentration, low memory >> brain fog >> Bipolar disorder >> depression >> emotional numbness # Diet , Supplemets, exercise , mindfulness, accupressure is effective in this case) 3) Antidepressants side effect causes emotional blunting & numbness ( Diet , supplements , exercise , mindfulness, accupressure , is effective in this case) If you lack empathy, If you lack energy in the brain and body If energy in the brain gets drained while talking to someone If you feel like keep sleeping at bed is something gives u little relief If you feel you can not love anyone since u do not experience it for a long time If you do not care about your family but you intend to care them If you got detached from the people you loved without solid reason. you do not feel to have a aim in the life you have bad sexual health you have not cried for a long time but you wish to cry You want to sucide you hear a ringing sound in the year 24*7. If you think you can not reverse the emotional numbness. Yes you can reverse it 100% Please know that nobody in this world will help you . you have to help yourself . I will help you be normal becoming your mentor.
Thank you. Subscribing to a channel that you think is helpful is one of the best ways to show your support. Another is to post links to videos that you particularly like to your social media feed. Obviously that's entirely up to you - I produce the content, but I don't do very much promotion of it. If people find it useful, it will gradually get more popular. If they don't, then it's best that it doesn't.
Been suffering over a year. I’ve done everything and on the outside seems like I have a normal life but no matter how many things I do or try it brings me nothing :(
No youtube video is a substitute for in-person professional care. I will say that recovery often takes time. Many people long for the emotional reactivity they used to have before the depression and notice they don't have it. They make it a "yes or no" question. But if they can "let go" of how they used to react, they can notice that they get maybe 1% of the lift they used to get from, say, swimming. If they can refrain from trivializing that small improvement and can learn to treasure it - as one might carefully nurture a tiny spark in a campfire - it can grow and expand. But it's almost never as fast as people would like.
How are you doing now? I totally get you, I'm 17, turning 18 in less than 2 weeks and have had this since I was 15 and it's been gradually getting worse and worse and at this point I'm not sure that I will ever get rid of it :/
Having suffered from early childhood trauma I've had to stop using anti depressants after nearly 15 years of use. I've also stopping smoking weed after 20 years of using it to hide from my feelings and the world I found hard to relate to. I'm now finding I'm suffering badly with anhedonia. My doctors havent been very helpful and a lot of the therapists I've contacted for help have said they feel is to much chemical imbalance to be able to help. I'm trying to put into practice some of the things in your videos and hoping that something starts to shift in the right direction. I just wanted to say thanks 💚
Thanks for this video. That's exactly what I thought I should do to pull through this, however is not that simple everyday. Some days I just don't do what I know I have to do, still, I guess we need make a tiny effort everyday
My anhedonia started 3 years ago after a trauma that resulted in PTSD. About a year in I started to get better and then I had a freak accident leaving me mostly disabled and in constant severe pain. I can no longer do much of anything physically and the anhedonia is much worse. I do not know how to approach any of this if I’m mostly stuck in bed. My hope is gone at this point.
:( It sounds like you are really in a hard situation. *hugs* Hope you gradually get rid of anhedonia. Hope you can get into virtual stuffs. Music,movies,drama,anime and stuff like that. Is there any chance of getting better(talking about your physical health)?
I just feel like everything I've done in the past I did for approval. I don't know what I intrinsically like doing so I tend to just lull around. Very frustrating.
I find it harder to speak to people. I don’t know what to say. Often I think I’m saying the wrong thing and don’t feel like I’m being natural and worry they can see this
A feeling of unnaturalness is fairly normal when we are doing something we haven't done a lot, and can sometimes be a sign that we have moved out of our comfort zone (which is the only way we expand our lives). But for many with anhedonia it's difficult to come up with a lot of conversation. It can be a good idea to spend time with others, but often in a setting where endless conversation is not required: hiking, volunteering, or DOING just about anything.
I thought exactly the same. ... you really know how it is. I'm suffering struggling etc.. My life was destroyed.... then, I got this, That destroyed my hopes of recovery,.. because I cannot feel pleasure. 😞
I'm in recovery from addiction to different things and anhedonia is by far the most difficult symptomp to cope with. I can deal with cravings relatively well, but this constant feeling of "blah" is simply unbearable for me. It has been the reason for at least 90% of my relapses I would say. I just can't endure it. People in recovery often say it takes roughly six months until it gets significantly better, but all I hear is "you gotta live with this for six months". How am I supposed to endure this for six long months ffs? Anhedonia sucks so bad, man...
I think that addiction to some extent "short-circuits" the reward mechanism, reducing the capacity to enjoy substance-free events. It does seem to take time for this to re-set or de-habituate for many people when they become abstinent. The result is an empty blahness - and a sense that there is really nothing to guide one's actions. "If it's not for that emotional hit, why would I do it?" One answer that helps many people in this situation is your goals and values. What's important to you? What would you like your impact on the world to be? If you saw yourself from the outside and felt you were living the "good" or "honourable" life, what would that be? If you are beset with regrets, what are the things you regret - and do these point toward a way of life that you would prefer to live from now forward? A hybrid vehicle runs on both battery power and gas. If you run out of gas, the battery kicks in and you use that instead. If you run out of "emotional kick," your values can become the backup system until the balance returns. Ultimately the idea is to have both systems operating. As we get older we may naturally shift the mix. In the 20s it is often mostly about excitement/bliss/sex/charge, whereas with age satisfaction may come (just as much) from a blend of "this is fun" and "this is important to me."
Yes also ex addict l tyrosine powder has taken an edge of this I also have ibs made worse by smoking for fifteen years 13years of opiate abuse coffee energy drink addiction for most of my life ibs for me also causes constant fatigue chronic fatigue symptom I think they call it I look forward to seeing my ultrasound tests tommorow to find out what exactly is going on in my gate yes I agree drunk induced ahnedonia is a bitch alright I have experienced it so bad I have seriously considered suicide 😔
One of the BEST information and presentation ever on this subject. Exactly 💯 % how it feels! Thank you soooo. Very much. You just got yourself a fan, not just a follower!!! 🙏💜🐝 7/2022
The thing I notice is how I'd say "I used to do this, I used to love that.." ,that's so sad that so many things stopped. But I saved this video and I ll try do things. I know I don't read entire books like I used to but I look at pages often like comics and I decided to buy a book like that.Its something than nothing..
It can be useful to adopt a position that “I’m doing this because it’s what I’m doing, and relinquish the ‘So that.’” Much as we do with tooth brushing. I’m brushing my teeth because it’s morning, not because it’s thrilling. Enjoyment in formerly enjoyed activities can then begin to sneak in.
Great to see a legit professional actually discussing this topic and giving practical down-to-earth advice. Anhedonia gets overshadowed by depression but I tend to see it as a separate condition. From my experience, antidepressants work quite well when dealing with irrational psychological pain and anxiety, but have no effect on the experience of pleasure. Luckily, I've managed to beat my depression and take no more antidepressants (took me five years to do that, but it is still a miracle) but anhedonia somehow doesn't go away, messing up my career and personal life. As for your video, it looks like a solid foundation for treating this issue. I'll give your strategies a go, but I feel like I've more or less did the same things with my previous therapists without notable success. I'm starting to think that apart from lifestyle and mindset changes there need to be some special treatment adapted for my particular case. I am currently participating in Jordan Peterson's Past Authoring program and develop my lucid dreaming skills. Will see where this goes. Wish me luck!
Does anyone (or the channel owner, if this gets in front of their eyes) have any advice on what should be done in a case of post-addiction induced anhedonia? I am aware that my brain chemistry is completely out of whack, but the absolute torture of even getting out of bed seems too big to overcome. I detoxed from suboxone back in December of 2019, and even though it was incredibly difficult, I still had a desire to endure it because the finish line meant no more physical withdrawal symptoms/an ability to wake up and get going without needing something/no more enslavement mentally... Now however, I have been using a stimulant, and the initial phase of sobriety is so shitty it seems too understandable that I use the first chance I get. My brain screams, you know this addiction leads to death, but - you feel dead when you detox, so what's the difference? Choose death or choose death... only one of those sides also means instant relief from the torture. I hope that makes sense. I am sorry this rambles so much, but I would love to have any help someone may find appropriate. Thank you!
For many, the anhedonia that can arise post-addiction resolves on its own, but this is quite a gradual process. There are some studies looking at various medications and supplements that may be of use, but this is beyond my level of expertise. From a behavioral perspective, the types of behavioral activation (BA) procedures discussed in these videos appear to be helpful, though they are likely to be more rapidly effective in unipolar depression than post-withdrawal. Most cases of depression are quite responsive to environmental/behavioral shifts (at least relatively speaking) whereas some forms of addiction seem to produce a longer-lasting organic change that takes longer to return to pre-addiction levels. A second approach is to recognize that behavior can be governed by at least three factors: Impulse, hedonic experience, and goals-and-values. Impulse tends to be the worst guide, both because for most of us our impulses are badly wired (we want to eat all the chocolate in the house). Hedonic experience (the actual enjoyment of activities) is muted or absent in depression or post-addiction, but may be sparked gradually via BA. The third idea is to base behavior not on projected feelings, but on one's values. What would your vision of you in your present circumstances but living the best you can (according to your values) be doing? For some, this would mean keeping their home clean, or attending work regularly, or wishing friends well on their birthday, or completing their taxes, or exercising, or planting a garden, or volunteering - whether or not any of these things give pleasure in the short term. This may not always be satisfying, but provides direction and enables this anhedonic period not to be a wasted phase of netflix-watching. As the anhedonia fades, one can begin stirring in activities "because I seem to be enjoying them."
I always wanted to travel. I have the means to possibly do it. But now I feel blah, not really interested anymore. Like I am dead, but still going thru the motions of life.
You may be waiting for the anticipatory enjoyment to arrive ("I'm excited to go") with the thought that once that shows up, you'll give in and do it. The problem is, anticipatory enjoyment typically shows up later, after you've done something a bit. The other problem is that the first time you do something like this, it feels overwhelming, stressful, and nothing like as much fun as you imagined. One strategy is to sharply ramp down expectations ("my plan is to survive, not love it") dampen your hopes, and do something very basic ("instead of the Europe tour I'm going to visit the next town over for a weekend").
I have anhedonia and have been diagnosed with OCD and my first depressive episode (over the spring/summer). I finally sense that my mental health is improving after much advocacy, support from friends, my amazing therapist (ERP therapy for OCD), melatonin for sleep, blood tests and supplementation, getting outside, exercise, etc. I'm doing more and feeling a little better, but my anhedonia is still present and is causing indecision. I really want to apply to grad school since I always used to love school and want to grow my career, but I don't "feel joy" when thinking about any of the programs I could apply to. How do you deal with anhedonia when it comes to career choices (that I don't want to postpone)?
During recovery there is always a risk of taking on too much too soon, and this must be borne in mind. But in the presence of anhedonia clinicians generally advocate taking anticipatory joy "out of the driver's seat" and making decisions based more on logic, the requirements of the moment, or a best-guess about what one will be glad to have done, rather that what one feels like doing. During anhedonia we usually don't feel like doing ANYTHING, and doing nothing will generally make things worse.
@@RandyPaterson Thank you! I will bear this good advice in mind. Applying to programs (that I logically think I will be glad to have completed) for now may be a good step, and to continually work on recovery until this program starts in September (and onwards) :)
@@PeaceboneGotFound any better. I'm exactly in the same I have pure O and in Melbourne Australia we had two years of lockdowns both Just screwed myself over
Thank you for making this video. I experienced Anhedonia some months ago. I got through it and now I'm having the same problem. Your video was the reason I got through it the first time. Time to watch again. Thanks for being a cool human ;) The most important step for me was putting anhedonia in the passenger's seat and my aspirations in the driver's seat.
I think you admit it to yourself and don't try to pretend otherwise. "I'm not doing this because I'm having such a great time. I'm doing it because it's what the 'well' me does. I'm doing it because I'm doing it." And after all, what's the alternative - the couch? And if someone calls you on it: "Yeah, it's been a while and I'm not actually all that charged about it, but I figure if I do what I used to like I'll get myself back in that groove."
This is a question best raised with your prescriber. It can be a difficult one to answer, as antidepressants are given for, no surprise, depression - and anhedonia is a standard symptom of depression. It may equally be that the anhedonia caused the prescription.
@@sanjeeviglesias6293 I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how much it sucks. I'm in the process of getting off my medication and going to try herbal remedies as replacements to see if the anhedonia will go away
If you want to know if its the antidepressants or not, just try increasing the dose. Antidepressants definitely caused it for me. I'm now like a vegetable
I am under 18 and i am feeling no emotions at all. In my case there was a depression that was caused because of guilt and shame caused by one of my actions . At first i was feeling really bad but i was still able to feel emotions including good ones from time to time. I was like that for idk maybe about a year more or less until one day i just couldnt feel anything including the bad emotions. At first i was like "WOW i am actually finaly free of this' but as the time was going on i started to become more and more worried because i wasnt feeling good emotions anymore. I was very confused i mean i thought that eventually it will go away so i waited,and waited, and waited... and as expected nothing happend. But day after day i was feeling less and less worried because feeling nothing at all kinda became my normal life and i started to forget what it was to feel good. After months and months of having the most boring life someone can imagine i finally did some research, and just found about anhedonia. I was just hoping to get some advice on what to do.
Well, with a story like that it sounds like there are more issues than someone who has never met you can really address very well. If you have the option of seeing someone in a counselling setting to help deal with recent events, I would strongly advocate that. Some people benefit from reading self-help books or gleaning info from youtube videos, but you may have some specific concerns that would benefit from in-depth discussion with a professional.
I'm so sorry you're having to go through that. Are there no antidepressants you can try, or conversely, maybe being on medication is blanking you out? In my case, I get tiny break throughs, but I've had a pretty solid year and a half of deep depression.
I mean how many years until you force yourself to do things till you start enjoying them again it’s been 13 for me. I guess maybe life is just like this for some people it sucks. Good luck to everyone else out there.
It's been more than 10 for me. Bipolar 2 and stuck in the depressive phase for years, altered only by the seasonal spring arrival of hypomania. I cannot force myself to do anything, let alone think about enjoying anything. There is no joy in life, only the occasional brief absence of misery. I just want to live while I'm alive.
I had anhedonia over three years i tried therapy, lifestyle changes and antidepressants none of those did anything but then i got adhd diagnosis and got access to stimulants in first day of trying methylphenidate my three year long anhedonia was cured instantly that med still works btw. anhedonia is usually caused by low dopamine signaling and only way to cure it in my opinion is upregulate those receptors by using dopaminergic meds.
I feel like people need talents to survive，the talent of creating something that can make you happy everytime or the talemt of getting happiness easily
Be good to yourself people...I am looking at this thinking thinking this has got to be a sane response to being locked in your homes for a year because of this lockdown. I have often said that it is the world that needs to take medication to cure MY mental illnesses.
I used to like studying and I could do it easily for long hours.....but after my antidepresant medicines started I just couldnt enjoy study....and slowly It became so difficult for me even daily chores exaust me!
Yes, I hear that. Many psych meds cause, or are associated with "brain fog", along with Anhedonia. Hard to see the forest for the trees. These are great tips, but, as alluded to, one has Anhedonia as a symptom of depression; one of many, and comorbid anxiety, almost by default. Hope you're doing well, brother.
even though divorce is killing me, I still tell myself "x is still more than nothing". so you know if I do 25 pushups and im telling myself I used to do 100 ... I try to remind myself 25 is more than zero.
Disappointment and discouragement are more a product of expectation than achievement. If you expect to perform as you once did at your best, having allowed yourself to get out of practice, disappointment is all but inevitable no matter how well you do. If, as you notice, you set the bar for achievement at zero, or at how you once did at your worst, demotivating discouragement is less likely. If we simply approach tasks with nonjudgemental curiosity - "let's see what happens when I do pushups" - we can react to the experience itself, rather than to its relationship with the fantasy we had created about it.
I'm a friend of an emotionally numb best friend I'm still holding onto him and supporting him although he isn't there for me when I need him, he doesn't enjoy the things we used to enjoy, he doesn't feel like the same person But I love him too much to just leave him, I'm bearing it because I want to bear him But what really frustrates me, is that I don't seem to have an effect on him.. Is my support any helpful? Does any emotionally numb person in this comment section care if someone truly loves them or care for them? Does it help your case or is it pointless?..
it’s nice to know you’re there. They acknowledge you’re trying your best to help and it’s comforting. However, they think the help is pointless and won’t change anything. Coming from someone with anhedonia for 2 years. Hope this helped
(CURE EMOITIONAL NUMBNESS) Hi friend, hope you are well! . I am Raman and 1 among you who had undergone emotional numbness for about 1 and half year . I am completly fine now. it took me around 8 months frankly speaking to feel again. i have worked harder and harder to during these 7 to 8 months actually to feel my emotions . I had done tons of research to finally come to conclusion that we can again be emotionaly sensitive with some activity , diet , supplements. 1) We have to heal our limbic system of brain , specially amygdala , hypothalamus & preforntal cortex if unhealthy ,causes various mental and personality disorders like a) Social Anhedonia b) schizoid personality disorder , c) autism , d) borderline personality e) avoidance personality and so on 2) work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter (OXYTOCIN) 3) Work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter Dopamine and Norepinepharine from post to pre synaptic at frontal cortex, VTA, Nucieus accumbens and startum part of the brain (resonbile for our craving for socialization and hating isolation working on the mechanisam of "Reward system") Normalize the level of vitamins and minerals that helps in synthesization of such neurotransmitters. & Maintaining Gut health (our second brain) believe it on not it matters alot in order to prohibiting the immune response to cause inflamation that results in brain cells to die 4)CBT & Talk therapy ( only for people with PTSD ) works on subconcious mind that make behaviorial changes to eliminate trigger points that cuases oxidative stress continuously 5) Exercise (any) , Yoga (limbic system ), meditation (metta and normal ) to releif from oxidative stress 6) Diet Which i will explain 7)supplements which i will explain 8) Safely tapper off antidepressants specially SSRI SERTALINE ( this increased my Emotional blunting and ED) i will guide you on this. If u want my guidance contact me at ramankarora1990@gmail.com email subject - eg Emotional numbness whatsapp no. 8360633747 Thats it . it seems difficult but its very easy! I have put alot of time and money to gather this information and read lots of books on science of neurology , psychology, homeopathy, Ayurveda, accupressure science for various mental disorders and mirror neurons . I have done diploma course on neuropsychology. What inspired me? i also suffered from Emotional numbness , prefered isolation, so i felt out of love with my girl friend without any reason and didnot enjoy her company anymore despite she was same loving , caring , loyal, was unable to love back and like my family either. I have lost her now . So i can feel pain of other people as well. Luckily i am just like a normal guy and and no more emotionaly numb, i can have fun, make people laugh wherever i am emotional i am able to cry now i am able to bond people at emotional level. I enjoys my hobbies again. I feel improvements in reasoning and intellectual capability. Different people different reasons 1) Post trauma stress disorder in childhood ( resulting in brain's defence mechanasim that shut down processing of emotions to protect you from further emotional pain as you grow in adulthood very slowly until u reach a point where u fully realize it. ( It could be a product 1 or many painful events of ur life for example , sexualy abused in childhood, parents consitent fights , parents have extra marital affair, parents have not been caring to you , death of parents or closed one , consistent rejection from crush or lover , GF/BF cheating on you and many more . #CBT therapy is effective in this case# 2) Brain injury (specially at prefrontal cortex and limbic system ) resulting in (low IQ , low concentration, low memory >> brain fog >> Bipolar disorder >> depression >> emotional numbness # Diet , Supplemets, exercise , mindfulness, accupressure is effective in this case) 3) Antidepressants side effect causes emotional blunting & numbness ( Diet , supplements , exercise , mindfulness, accupressure , is effective in this case) If you lack empathy, If you lack energy in the brain and body If energy in the brain gets drained while talking to someone If you feel like keep sleeping at bed is something gives u little relief If you feel you can not love anyone since u do not experience it for a long time If you do not care about your family but you intend to care them If you got detached from the people you loved without solid reason. you do not feel to have a aim in the life you have bad sexual health you have not cried for a long time but you wish to cry You want to sucide you hear a ringing sound in the year 24*7. If you think you can not reverse the emotional numbness. Yes you can reverse it 100% Please know that nobody in this world will help you . you have to help yourself . I will help you be normal becoming your mentor.
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I've always been a very disciplined person, so even with anhedonia I exercise, clean, study, etc. I feel like a dead person pretending to be alive.
This is how I feel. I don’t know what I want. I can’t find comfort
Then don't. Be you and do what you want or need. I think the past is the way forward as you remember what made you feel happy and alive. Nobody is able to help you like you can help yourself.
This has been driving me crazy. I go through periods of like 8-10 weeks of this. I posted a video about it today on my channel, I would love to hear of anyone can relate.
@@anthonygreico9735 you should ask your doctor about Wellbutrin or selegeline - both helped my anhedonia a bit
@@billsimms2511 Thanks for reply. Wellbutrin did not do much for me. I have never heard of the other medication. I got off prozac completely and I seemed to do fine for a few weeks until it completely cleared my system. Now, I am on trintellix. I will look up selegine. If you want, please check out my mental health vlog and comment. I dive deep into what I experience, I would love to know if you can relate.
It’s like my soul left my body. I am completely hollow inside. The only thing left of me is this knowledge that my life is almost over. Everything is dark and bleak and empty.
I feel the same
"It’s like my soul left my body. I am completely hollow inside. The only thing left of me is this knowledge that my life is almost over."
Nailed it. Exactly how I've been feeling this past couple of years. It feels like death is near, even though I'm physically healthy. I hope you find a way to come back. If you do, please share with us. Blessings x
I lay in bed in the morning and refuse to open my eyes for as long as I can stand it long after I am awake, because the idea of having to start my day again is so crushing I cannot even stand it. Only when I have to pee so bad I can't ignore it any longer do I make myself open my eyes and get up.
You have described my morning perfectly! 😢 I eventually end up being harassed by my cats because they need their food. I live to care for them 😶
Exactly..... well worded. It's explanation like this,... that helps me understand how I feel.
I never experienced this b4. I had a great life , great career job, champion surfer, worked out every day and swam before work. Then,.... Bang!!!
I lost my job after decades of fun, relationships, purpose, identity, etc. . ... I began to stress stress incredible hard over thel loss, and change. I got anxiety, then insomnia,.... then horrible depression... I was wondering what happened to my feelings?, why I'm not enjoying ALL the things I used to enjoy.... this really sucks. Hope you're better 🙏
1. Structure to activities - Goals, physical exercise
2. Inventory past pleasures -
3. Get interest out of the driver’s seat - intentions, aspirations, what you need to get done
4. Scale down with acceptance - do things at a smaller scale and accept that the smaller scale is a necessary prerequisite to greater steps
5. Don’t watch how you feel - enjoyment will come gradually, do the things you used to enjoy regardless of how you feel at the beginning, do until you feel it
thanks !!!! I'll kept plugging ahead...
This doesn't work.
I used to ride my bicycle a lot, until one day I asked myself if I was enjoying it. When I realized I didn't, I got off the bike and walked it it home. I never rode the bike again.
@@sneakerbabefulYou gave up. Your supposed to keep trying no matter what. I'm sorry your feeling this way
I’ve been sober just over a year.. did therapy, all of it. From outside I have the life.. beautiful family, home, health, job etc. yet I feel empty. This video is spot on. And strangely these comments have given me comfort. I’m good with sobriety but I need to find joy within myself again. He said it’s feeling blah.. that resonates so profoundly.
I don't know what's wrong with me. I've had anhedonia for over a year, but I've been exercising, I've been volunteering, I have a good relationship with someone I love, I am really investing in my studies and doing well. However, none of it feels like anything to me. I feel hopeless about the future. I feel like I am going nowhere and everything I do is a waste of time. I struggle to watch videos or play games or anything without a forced structure because a few minutes in I'm like "what's the point". I buy myself bubble tea and hang out with friends in hopes that the next one maybe will finally feel good but it doesn't.
I can't even remember what it felt like to be happy. I know there were moments in the past but I can't even imagine what I felt like.
I just get brief moments. Very brief.
I’m struggling with this so deeply.. everything I do hobby wise I always find myself saying “what’s the point of doing thing?.. wow I’m painting a picture big deal.. it just feels like work now” 😔 everything I use to enjoy feels like a chore and it all feels so numb and pointless ..
For some people - I won't presume to know you or give advice - this is a cue to shift from "what do I feel like doing" or "what will give me pleasure" to "what would be an expression of my values" or "what would be a contribution to the world?" This isn't an abdication of the search for enjoyment - it's often a path toward it.
How are you doing now
I hope you'll try ketamine. It saved my life.
@@RandyPaterson Never thought of it this before. Thanks, it helped a lot
Completely feel you. Hope you are getting better soon
This is probably the most helpful advice I’ve gotten for getting out of this anhedonia I’ve been stuck in for years. All those excuses he uses? I’ve said them all. But then I stopped doing the activity because I felt what was the point. Now I know to keep at it
Can’t even remember what I used to enjoy. Feel nothing. Can’t function
Try Trataka early in the morning, I do it around 5:00 am, it really motivates me.
@@kalarishiva3769 what's that?
@@sam62831 basically staring at the wick of a light up candle for a while minutes without blinking - ideally 10 minutes.
It has a lot more to it, google it for more info. It worked for me BTW.
@@kalarishiva3769 hlo bhai ise koi interst paida hua kya app me
@@strugglinggamer3939 Han bhai, maine Trataka roz ek hafte ke liye kiya, abhi chizon mein interest wapas agaya :)
Feels like this is never gonna reverse
I want my good days back😭😭
Plz God
Me too😭
It's been 3 months I can't take it anymore
@@Duwynddaw bro/Sis...it takes time
Happy to share that I survived that deep fall and you will too
اخوي يحيى اعتقد انك تعاني من التبلد بشرنا هل وجدت علاج ؟
How are you doing today my friend?
My anhedonia comes in waves with my bipolar disorder. For me a big part of it is reminding myself that i don't suddenly hate the things i once loved. Whats happening is just a flare up, like seasonal allergies.
Thank you so much. This was amazing. You almost saved my life. I couldn't go to therapy because of economical reasons but your video is really helpful. Thank you so much again. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for the information. I will keep the points in mind. I am glad I found this video. I did not know this condition existed until these past 6 months when I have been in absolute emptiness of joy or pleasure…what a horrific way to be alive. But this video has validated my “forcing” myself to workout and go out with friends when I am invited…even if I feel empty.
I just don't care enough......everytime I look something up, like how to help or get over it but I just don't have the energy to try any of them 😞
Struggling with this since the Covid lockdowns. 2020 was a game-changer. Up to that point, I was slim, enjoyed hiking, metal festivals, my friends, music, and painting. But everything changed that year. I lost a colleague, my stepfather, and my favourite metal guitarist (not from Covid). A year later, my best friend and I parted ways. And then there was the trauma of life shutting down for two years. Unseen powers ripped the carpet out from under all of us. They stole everything we once enjoyed, and we couldn't stop them, or fight back. There was nowhere to escape. We had no control over our own lives anymore. Control was being dictated to us. Our lives were theirs to take, at will. My fellow humans became unrecognizable. Their hysteria, cult-like obedience, and open hostility to anyone who asked valid questions. I'd never seen such large swaths of people behave like this, except in movies. I shut down. If they can take away everything I enjoy on a whim, then I just won't enjoy anything anymore. Exercising the last scrap of power I have left. I just want to stay home now, alone, where I feel safe. I've gained a huge amount of weight and avoid going out. People scare me now. Feel like I'm just waiting for death.
Sometimes home and isolation can feel like an escape - a sanctuary. But often people discover that they have only locked themselves in a cell with their worst critic: themselves. Their only contact with the broader, more expansive world is through the angry rants of the internet, which can serve to intensify the stories they have constructed about that world. Often, shutting down the screens and moving outward, even without desire or hope, can reconnect one with the world that one used to enjoy.
Thank you so much for making this video. I don't have energy to seek help from a therapist or from "the outside" in general so this is a great starting point for me.
I'm in the comment section of this video because I have felt practically hollow for way too long. For literal years I haven't been able to feel any positive way towards my old hobbies, and my love for new hobbies fizzles out far too quickly. It's been the exact same way with people, where I want to be their friend for a few days cause I think they're cool, but then I just... ditch them because I can't find the willpower to hold a conversation with them anymore. Anhedonia's got a hold of me by the hair, and I'm worried that it's never letting go.
It can be a real challenge, and no video can make it an easy process. Waiting for the anhedonia to let go, though, is like waiting for the laundry to do itself. Seemingly the best approach is to take outward action in a gradual fashion, as detailed here, and at the same time cultivate an attitude of non-expectation. "I'm doing it because I'm doing it, not because of the emotional payoff that may come." Or in Buddhist terms, "Abandon all hope of fruition," which means to focus on the doing, not the future payoff. The challenge for many is that they do things, and motivate themselves by focussing on the idea that this will make them feel better. The expectation brings disappointment, which reinforces the anhedonia.
thankyou for sharing this, im still 18 and this pandemic makes my life feel more empty. i tried doing different hobbies to have something to be obsessed about but it just never work, i always give up at the end. even drawing used to be my serotonin booster so i entered design major but now it feels like a chore.
and it kinda turns me into a porn addict, just for a rush of dopamine or whatever hormon it is, but it only makes me feel worse.
what makes it even more worse is that this guilty feeling for not doing anything, i compare myself with others who have less privilege than me but theyre making a progress yet im still stuck feeling useless. thats why i always have the urge to learn or have something to obsessed about. its like a loophole, i hate this feeling. i want to have, at least, a tiny fire in me
sorry for the random vent. thats all
My anhedonia has developed for well over two years. This helped me a lot. It gave me motivation to try my best to get out of this hole before I let myself get buried in it.
Any better no
Absolutely been struggling with this for years
This is exactly where I’m at. I work an absolutely terrible job that pays well so I’m stuck trying to hang on for retirement. I can’t sleep, I’m exhausted all the time and have trouble focusing on hobbies or chores I am behind on. Friends are all gone and disappeared living their lives and involved in their kid’s activities. I just don’t care anymore. Nothing interests me anymore and I just feel sad and numb. I forced myself to take a vacation recently. It was ok, but now I’m back at this job and the cycle of misery starts all over. The work and life balance is completely off in this country for so many people.
I think you should consider downsizing. I understand that retirement is usually the ultimate goal, but if the journey to get there is making you this miserable you need to take a look at what you really want to prioritize
@@SleepyLongRiver-jd2xb Agree!
Elderly and alone with nobody. No energy and in pain. I cannot do this. I hope that some people will benefit from your advice. I'm in UK.
I'm in the UK and suffering like you. Could we be friends?
I hope you are well 😊
@@rebeccaaldrich3396 👍
This is exactly what I needed to hear right now. Thankyou!
You're welcome.
The first cause of anhedonia are PSYCH MEDS!
Wow, this was really helpful. I've been trying for a long time to figure out why I would hit these periods of finding little to no joy in my old activities. Thank you.
It's my birthday... again, and people want to celebrate it again. I don't. I haven't wanted to in years. Ever since my brain injury. Initially after the injury, I completely lost my internal voice and the ability to mentally conceptualize anything and I was the most creative person you knew, an art director and an artist. That was almost 9 years ago. Now, with paper and pencil, I am able to plan and execute things, but it's nothing I ever want to do, only what others, like my partner are requesting, AND it's extremely difficult. I also have memory formation problems, which still persist and I don't remember large swaths of my past. I forgot who I was and what I liked and what I liked to do. Now I am content to stare out of my window in the quiet but wonder where I went and if there's a way back.
Ask someone that knows you on the things you used to enjoy. Then start doing them starting with small easy steps and progressing from there like it was said in the video
I love the gesticulation in combination to the mimic and the tone of voice, besides the articulation and syntactic structure. It's harmonic. It fits together.
That gives me chills.
Exactly my view. The gesticulation makes the video very interesting..
What happens when I can't push myself to do anything? I just sit on my bed thinking nothing matters.Can you do more videos on depression?
RUclips can't provide individualized care for a person suffering from depression, unfortunately, and the various online resources (including my own) are not a substitute for professional one-to-one care. I do have an extensive course with 100-page guide on self-care for depression, but even it is designed only as an adjunct to genuine one to one care from someone in your area. I encourage you to seek that care out. The online course is here: psychologysalon.teachable.com/p/undoing-depression
Hi,.... unfortunately I've had a traumatic event that kept me in mega Stress 24/7., insomnia, anxiety... into Depression.
I read your comment,... and that's me now. I just sit and don't move, then i lay down but can't sleep?..
My life totally sucks now., and I foolishly gave up my great job,.. that I cannot return to.!! Are you OK 👍 now?... I really hope you are doing better. 🙏
@@klanderkal I'm sorry you are struggling. I was better for a while but I'm back to feeling more depressed again .. I hope you have some support.
@selinamichael5317 awww, so sorry to hear that.! Depression is so unbearable 💔. I'm still struggling, i just can't get out and do anything yet. It's so paralyzing... and the negativity is of my mistakes keep haunting me... its like my spirit just wants my life back.
Hope we can both, kick this and be happy again...🙌🫶🙏
I will never cope with anhedonia… I will try to heal from this every day until the day I die, I would rather be dead than accept this state of being
Hi how are you feeling today? Is it gone?
@@Yanisbelmeza33 Nope. Exactly the same 10 months later. It's actually crushing to see this comment from myself 10 months ago thinking the exact same thoughts I am right now. Prob not gonna hang on much longer.
@@Mattme83how you feeling now
Keep trying. We can't give up.
@@Mattme83im here , because of same as all of us.
I'm suffering hard from anhedonia!!! I hate this so much!!!!! How to live with no interest or desire or pleasure?!!! ... im so afraid, ...
Im literally crying. Thanks man
I hope that it’s helpful.
I don't know you brother. But I suffer too. I love you. Don't ever doubt it.
I'm here with you. I hope the video helped you too.
@@RandyPaterson 💓
This is the most useful video on the topic
"Have you tried walking on the shattered leg? But have you TRIED?!?"
I can't do it if I think it'll be life changing. With such a big end goal, I tend to get overwhelmed and stop. Anybody else feel like this?
The sea wall is still there, lol, I love your delivery...❤
Anhedonia is the worst thing ever.
I recognize it's irrational. I spent 3 months in bed. Ruminating, catastrophizing beyond comprehension. Tried everything. Countless therapy videos, research. Visits to my therapist and GP who is also a good psychologist. Calls with loving church members, my parents. Lexapro, Trazadone, Buspirone. All of these things have helped to varying degrees. The guilt that I'm bringing down my family and the people around me have increased the Anhedonia. Went to an animal park with my family and it was excruciating, I rushed my family. All I wanted to do was get back in bed. Then I went to Wal Mart after a good therapy session. I forced myself to greet people with kindness as I walked past them or shopped next to them. The vibes I got back from them lifted my mood. I was onto something. Long story short. Now I'm an Uber driver. The kindest one in the world. It's the best therapy I've ever had. My rating is 4.99 out of 5. Your videos are spot on sir! God Bless You!
The danger with any RUclips video on a psychological subject like this is the implication that working through the challenge is easy. As your reply suggests, this is far from the case. And it virtually never "works" the first try. I'm guessing that the first greeting you gave didn't do much for you, for example. It's a difficult road no matter how one walks it - but at least there IS a road that gets there for most.
@@RandyPaterson Well said. It takes about 3 customers into my typical day to start to emerge from my Anhedonia. But it's the most reliable therapy I've found to date along with the Lexapro. It's very obvious when it's got a hold of me as i normally I love music, though when I'm suffering, it's like to fingernails on a chalkboard. Also I have zero appetite. I'll be getting Ketamine treatments soon as I've heard very promising results. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
@@dherman0001 how are you now
@@ljnv glad you ask, I went the ketamine route and now I'm free of all drugs. I'm 98% whole and I'm loving it. Get ketamine if you're suffering!
@@dherman0001 ohh that's awesome. Glad to hear that. I'm in Australia so not sure if it's available here. Mine is caused by OCD ( well I think it is , in Melbourne we were locked down for 2 year's , lost my job for a bs reason and loved ones in a car accident, so that heavily contributed but the OCD pushed my mental health over, feel like I'm getting better but still not 100% but yeah will definitely look into it
Pretty much my attitude for the longest of time. I'm glad I found what the symptom is called. I'm a very proactive person and he'll bent on doing something because it's what I need to do. I just don't know why I'm doing it. It's just to pass the time until something happens in my life.
You may find it helpful to ask yourself what you'd like to happen. Sometimes creating the life we want is less about doing what rewards us with enjoyment and more about moving ourselves toward a goal. I needed to get through calculus to be a psychologist and didn't enjoy a moment of it, believing (as later proved true) that it would be irrelevant to any research I would one day carry out. Finding at least a part of the destination gives us guidance that our enjoyment often does not.
OK people, here is some practical information that is anhedonia sufferers might actually have the ability to do: Vortioxetine is an SSRI proven in many studies to relieve the symptoms of anhedonia, and bupropion is a norepinephrine and DOPAMINE reuptake inhibitor. I haven't tried bupropion as the vortioxetine worked for me. For us anhedonia sufferers, we need a jump start. For me personally, there's nothing I could make my self DO so I needed medication to jump start me. It worked for me and I feel like the more I get a roll on, the better life is getting. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get off the medication but at least for now, I'm getting relief. If this helps even 1 person then great. Otherwise I completely understand everyone's anhedonia journey is different, and you may have already tried the things I've said, or may not even have access to them in your country. Good luck everyone, we aren't alone, so many people feel our pain!
I appreciate your telling us but me about this but for me personally nawww no pill or whatever that was can help me . i guess for me as long as I can somewhat keep Mine under control as I use mine as a coping mechanism , but I understand that for me all that could change but i pray that it doesn't in a negative way im meaning. , so but yeah thank you for wanting to share. and if that what you mentioned helped you than im glad. uh huh.
Great video. I believe this technique is called behavioral activation. It is proven to be effective with anhedonia in the literature. Unfortunately, my depression has progressed to the point where I no longer have the willpower to commit to and follow through with this approach.
The video describes a combination of behavioural activation (with an emphasis on formerly enjoyed activity) and mindful acceptance (releasing expectations of reaction) that appears to be helpful with most individuals who experience depression-linked anhedonia. The combination seems to be key, as acceptance-without-action or activity-with-regular-expectations don't seem helpful for the majority. The strategies formed the backbone of our anhedonia-based work at a clinic treating severely-depressed and just-out-of-hospital individuals who, for the most part, would still be classified as being in the depths of the problem. That said, there appears to be no intervention for depression that, in itself, works equally well for everyone. Some strategies do nothing for some individuals and are very helpful for others.
@@RandyPaterson yes, that makes sense.
Im just counting down towards the end. I've never been alive. At least when i was young, i could distract myself with new toys like a motorcycle or such.
Deep depression from age 15 until my early 30's, though i hid it well.
Getting close to seventy now, but aware of my mortality since my 20's.
Had an accident a few years back and woke up in an ambulance with a brain bleed. I so much wish i hadnt woke up because it would have been the perfect way to go. No pain, no thought, just suddenly gone.
So why do i stick around? Out of loyalty to one person who depends on me, who i dont want to hurt.
Such is life!
I've realized over the years it's practically useless trying to fix this issue with vitamins and nootropics supplementation, it's all about modifying my behavior and the way I perceive the world. Currently I'm focusing on staying busy, doing things for the sake of doing something, and also finding some positives in anhedonia, which there are a couple. You're right, I need to learn to live with the condition, rather than desperately trying to make it go away.
Altering our behaviour can be a powerful way to promote change. And I do believe that some people can take any supplement they like and not get any benefit. But I will add that for many people, ensuring they eat a nutritious diet or, in some cases, supplementing if they have a clear and documented deficiency, can be helpful. The research linking Vitamin D and mood, for example, remains a tad flaky but seems to be solidifying - as is the evidence that many people in temperate climates are deficient during winter. I recommend many of my clients ask their physician if some reasonable supplementation might be helpful - or at minimum if doing so is contraindicated by anything in their medical history.
@@RandyPaterson i feel like this is similar to phsycosis
I say, hit it with everything you can. I take a plethora of vitamins along with my prescription meds. I watch a ton of self help videos. I force myself to be involved in my children's personal lives.
@@dherman0001 Totally agreed about hitting it with anything you can. Would you mind sharing what you're trying? I have a long list of things I'm trying for my mental health and I would be happy to share if you would benefit; I'm also wondering what yours are so I can try some of them if I haven't yet! All the best!
@@PeaceboneGotFound Absolutely I want to hear yours. Here's some of mine. I've done extensive research on vitamin benefits for mental health. I take L-Tyrisone, C, B Complex, omegas, Zinc, Resveretrol, D+K, Potassium, Magnesium, low dose aspirin and Quercetin. Some of these are for immune boost. Prescriptions I take, Lexapro 20mg daily and Trazadone as needed nightly for sleep, Buspirone to offset the sexual side affects of Lexapro. At my worst I watched a video series called"Therapy in a Nutshell" and guided meditation audio/video. Spent lots of time researching depression/anxiety/Anhedonia to help with rumination. See a therapist weekly who is good at asking questions which make me think about the roots of my illness. My GP also happens to be a trained psychologist and is a personal friend. My church support network has been great. I've forced myself to involve myself with my childrens mental well being. I walk around grocery stores while shopping saying hello and God Bless You to people. The vibes I get back are very therapuetic. I became an Uber Driver for this same reason. I don't need the money really. I avoid politics, movies and shows as much as possible. Drink ensure when I can't eat, to keep the weight on. Only listen to Christian pop music. Can't emphasize reading about mental health enough. On 1 to 10 scale I spent about 10 weeks in bed at a 1 on my most recent breakdown in early July. I got to a 7 but have drifted down to about a 5. Going tomorrow for my first Ketamine infusion, very hopeful about this. Lately, 1 hour I'm at a 7 and the next I'm at a 3.
This is the most useful presentation on the topic of anhedonia I've come across during my recent struggle. It's very practical, straight-talking, and keeps analogies to a minimum.
I've been asking myself why this conditions exists at all. There must be some kind of evolutionary upshot to anhedonia. I doubt it's a "kill-switch" for a successful species. It may have been protective. There probably was a "joy" in hunting and gathering. I know I'd be thrilled in finding a patch of wild carrots or figuring out how to catch a fish! Those activities required engagement with the surroundings and probably also with other people. But if we were traumatized by something that happened "out there" while hunting and or gathering, we might be reticent to return to those activities. Maybe at first it was straight-up anxiety. But then when that wears off, we might return to the hunting and gathering but it doesn't "feel" the same. Presumably, enough of us worked through that gray season to keep the species going! But we have to keep leaving the cave!
You may find the book “How Sadness Survived” interesting- it’s an examination of the possible evolutionary significance of depression in humanity’s pre-agrarian history.
Joy in hunting?! How to feel any joy by killing a living being is beyond me....
I’ve felt like an imposter my whole life.
You might find this video thought provoking. This may not relate to what you mean, but partly imposter "syndrome" can be a sign that we are leaving our comfort zone and doing something new - so it can be something to pursue rather than avoid. ruclips.net/video/MW1D-j55STo/видео.html
It takes a long time to really discover the depths of your soul. It also can take decades to truly open your heart. If you don't totally love and respect yourself no one else will either. People address me as Sir everywhere I go not just because I'm 64 but because of the aura I project. You see a real lady and no asshole would dare disrespect her. Same reason. Rachel God is your answer. He is your Father, your Creator. He is patiently waiting for your cry. I promise you no religion Bible or church. Just you in your private sacred space of your heart. Give your life to God!!!
@peaceshiet812 I have too, over 65 years.
Watching for the 3rd time and get more out of it each time. Thankyou so much.
I physically can't feel that serotonin I get sometimes, and I never feel motivated. I might feel sad and want to cry but no tears come out, and I constantly want to cry when I'm with my family for no reason. glad I'm not alone here but I'm sorry for everyone else who's experiencing this. It's like I've lost every positive emotion I used to have and I'm only left with anger, sadness etc.
(CURE EMOITIONAL NUMBNESS)
Hi friend, hope you are well! . I am Raman and 1 among you who had undergone emotional numbness for about 1 and half year . I am completly fine now. it took me around 8 months frankly speaking to feel again. i have worked harder and harder to during these 7 to 8 months actually to feel my emotions . I had done tons of research to finally come to conclusion that we can again be emotionaly sensitive with some activity , diet , supplements.
1) We have to heal our limbic system of brain , specially amygdala , hypothalamus & preforntal cortex if unhealthy ,causes various mental and personality disorders like
a) Social Anhedonia b) schizoid personality disorder , c) autism , d) borderline personality e) avoidance personality and so on
2) work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter (OXYTOCIN)
3) Work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter Dopamine and Norepinepharine from post to pre synaptic at frontal cortex, VTA, Nucieus accumbens and startum part of the brain (resonbile for our craving for socialization and hating isolation working on the mechanisam of "Reward system")
Normalize the level of vitamins and minerals that helps in synthesization of such neurotransmitters.
& Maintaining Gut health (our second brain) believe it on not it matters alot in order to prohibiting the immune response to cause inflamation that results in brain cells to die
4)CBT & Talk therapy ( only for people with PTSD ) works on subconcious mind that make behaviorial changes to eliminate trigger points that cuases oxidative stress continuously
5) Exercise (any) , Yoga (limbic system ), meditation (metta and normal ) to releif from oxidative stress
6) Diet Which i will explain
7)supplements which i will explain
8) Safely tapper off antidepressants specially SSRI SERTALINE ( this increased my Emotional blunting and ED) i will guide you on this.
If u want my guidance contact me at ramankarora1990@gmail.com
email subject - eg Emotional numbness
whatsapp no. 8360633747
Thats it . it seems difficult but its very easy!
I have put alot of time and money to gather this information and read lots of books on science of neurology , psychology, homeopathy, Ayurveda, accupressure science for various mental disorders and mirror neurons .
I have done diploma course on neuropsychology.
What inspired me? i also suffered from Emotional numbness , prefered isolation, so i felt out of love with my girl friend without any reason and didnot enjoy her company anymore despite she was same loving , caring , loyal, was unable to love back and like my family either. I have lost her now . So i can feel pain of other people as well. Luckily i am just like a normal guy and and no more emotionaly numb, i can have fun, make people laugh wherever i am emotional i am able to cry now i am able to bond people at emotional level. I enjoys my hobbies again. I feel improvements in reasoning and intellectual capability.
Different people different reasons
1) Post trauma stress disorder in childhood ( resulting in brain's defence mechanasim that shut down processing of emotions to protect you from further emotional pain as you grow in adulthood very slowly until u reach a point where u fully realize it. ( It could be a product 1 or many painful events of ur life for example , sexualy abused in childhood, parents consitent fights , parents have extra marital affair, parents have not been caring to you , death of parents or closed one , consistent rejection from crush or lover , GF/BF cheating on you and many more . #CBT therapy is effective in this case#
2) Brain injury (specially at prefrontal cortex and limbic system )
resulting in (low IQ , low concentration, low memory >> brain fog >> Bipolar disorder >> depression >> emotional numbness # Diet , Supplemets, exercise , mindfulness, accupressure is effective in this case)
3) Antidepressants side effect causes emotional blunting & numbness
( Diet , supplements , exercise , mindfulness, accupressure , is effective in this case)
If you lack empathy,
If you lack energy in the brain and body
If energy in the brain gets drained while talking to someone
If you feel like keep sleeping at bed is something gives u little relief
If you feel you can not love anyone since u do not experience it for a long time
If you do not care about your family but you intend to care them
If you got detached from the people you loved without solid reason.
you do not feel to have a aim in the life
you have bad sexual health
you have not cried for a long time but you wish to cry
You want to sucide
you hear a ringing sound in the year 24*7.
If you think you can not reverse the emotional numbness. Yes you can reverse it 100%
Please know that nobody in this world will help you . you have to help yourself .
I will help you be normal becoming your mentor.
:(
❤
This video should have a million views
Thank you. Subscribing to a channel that you think is helpful is one of the best ways to show your support. Another is to post links to videos that you particularly like to your social media feed. Obviously that's entirely up to you - I produce the content, but I don't do very much promotion of it. If people find it useful, it will gradually get more popular. If they don't, then it's best that it doesn't.
I liked this video and hope, nobody will think I am everything you mentioned.
All I want to say is thank you... I will try my best to follow you and I hope it helps✌😐
Been suffering over a year. I’ve done everything and on the outside seems like I have a normal life but no matter how many things I do or try it brings me nothing :(
No youtube video is a substitute for in-person professional care. I will say that recovery often takes time. Many people long for the emotional reactivity they used to have before the depression and notice they don't have it. They make it a "yes or no" question. But if they can "let go" of how they used to react, they can notice that they get maybe 1% of the lift they used to get from, say, swimming. If they can refrain from trivializing that small improvement and can learn to treasure it - as one might carefully nurture a tiny spark in a campfire - it can grow and expand. But it's almost never as fast as people would like.
I've had it all my life along with Major Depression! After 6 decades I'm DONE!!
Same
How are you doing now? I totally get you, I'm 17, turning 18 in less than 2 weeks and have had this since I was 15 and it's been gradually getting worse and worse and at this point I'm not sure that I will ever get rid of it :/
I know exactly how you feel. Will it ever nd
Having suffered from early childhood trauma I've had to stop using anti depressants after nearly 15 years of use. I've also stopping smoking weed after 20 years of using it to hide from my feelings and the world I found hard to relate to. I'm now finding I'm suffering badly with anhedonia. My doctors havent been very helpful and a lot of the therapists I've contacted for help have said they feel is to much chemical imbalance to be able to help. I'm trying to put into practice some of the things in your videos and hoping that something starts to shift in the right direction. I just wanted to say thanks 💚
Routing for ya buddy. It will get better
The brain will heal check out anxiety centre
How long have you been like this?
@@birangarabebesi4461 was like it for about 11 months and slowly starting to pick self back up. Docs still havent been much help
Thanks for this video. That's exactly what I thought I should do to pull through this, however is not that simple everyday. Some days I just don't do what I know I have to do, still, I guess we need make a tiny effort everyday
Any pain symptoms
Incredibly explained. I can see you understand the condition well. Thanks for the video!
This is one of the best videos on this subject that I’ve viewed. Thank you.
My anhedonia started 3 years ago after a trauma that resulted in PTSD. About a year in I started to get better and then I had a freak accident leaving me mostly disabled and in constant severe pain. I can no longer do much of anything physically and the anhedonia is much worse. I do not know how to approach any of this if I’m mostly stuck in bed. My hope is gone at this point.
:(
It sounds like you are really in a hard situation. *hugs*
Hope you gradually get rid of anhedonia.
Hope you can get into virtual stuffs.
Music,movies,drama,anime and stuff like that.
Is there any chance of getting better(talking about your physical health)?
How are you now I hope you are keeping well
this should have way more views 👿
It'll get there. Maybe people are out and engaged with their lives and too busy to look at RUclips. Which would mean "mission accomplished."
I just feel like everything I've done in the past I did for approval. I don't know what I intrinsically like doing so I tend to just lull around. Very frustrating.
A wise man I once met said that the most important question in life is "If there was no applause and no criticism, who would you be?"
Great ideas. Thank you so much. I'll give it the old college try.
BRILLIANT TRUTHS..thank youuuu...
I find it harder to speak to people. I don’t know what to say. Often I think I’m saying the wrong thing and don’t feel like I’m being natural and worry they can see this
A feeling of unnaturalness is fairly normal when we are doing something we haven't done a lot, and can sometimes be a sign that we have moved out of our comfort zone (which is the only way we expand our lives). But for many with anhedonia it's difficult to come up with a lot of conversation. It can be a good idea to spend time with others, but often in a setting where endless conversation is not required: hiking, volunteering, or DOING just about anything.
Thank you, this gives me some guidance in the meantime until I can talk to a therapist
God bless people.
I’m beginning to think demons are involved in this happening.
This is the video I needed. I'm gonna try these tips.
This has got to be the worse feeling there is, it sucks so much
Wow! Subbed! This really helped me. Thank you!
Everything is such a darn mission
I thought exactly the same.
... you really know how it is.
I'm suffering struggling etc..
My life was destroyed.... then, I got this,
That destroyed my hopes of recovery,.. because I cannot feel pleasure. 😞
I'm in recovery from addiction to different things and anhedonia is by far the most difficult symptomp to cope with. I can deal with cravings relatively well, but this constant feeling of "blah" is simply unbearable for me. It has been the reason for at least 90% of my relapses I would say. I just can't endure it. People in recovery often say it takes roughly six months until it gets significantly better, but all I hear is "you gotta live with this for six months". How am I supposed to endure this for six long months ffs? Anhedonia sucks so bad, man...
I think that addiction to some extent "short-circuits" the reward mechanism, reducing the capacity to enjoy substance-free events. It does seem to take time for this to re-set or de-habituate for many people when they become abstinent. The result is an empty blahness - and a sense that there is really nothing to guide one's actions. "If it's not for that emotional hit, why would I do it?" One answer that helps many people in this situation is your goals and values. What's important to you? What would you like your impact on the world to be? If you saw yourself from the outside and felt you were living the "good" or "honourable" life, what would that be? If you are beset with regrets, what are the things you regret - and do these point toward a way of life that you would prefer to live from now forward?
A hybrid vehicle runs on both battery power and gas. If you run out of gas, the battery kicks in and you use that instead. If you run out of "emotional kick," your values can become the backup system until the balance returns. Ultimately the idea is to have both systems operating. As we get older we may naturally shift the mix. In the 20s it is often mostly about excitement/bliss/sex/charge, whereas with age satisfaction may come (just as much) from a blend of "this is fun" and "this is important to me."
Yes also ex addict l tyrosine powder has taken an edge of this I also have ibs made worse by smoking for fifteen years 13years of opiate abuse coffee energy drink addiction for most of my life ibs for me also causes constant fatigue chronic fatigue symptom I think they call it I look forward to seeing my ultrasound tests tommorow to find out what exactly is going on in my gate yes I agree drunk induced ahnedonia is a bitch alright I have experienced it so bad I have seriously considered suicide 😔
@@ashleymacinnon9442 hey how r u now ?
This was so helpful and well presented. Thank you!
A lovely and realistic explanation, makes you think. Thank you
Thx, hope I won't lose interest in drumming
The only thing i like doing is hosing, it might sound strange, but it relaxes me.
Maan, I just can say, thanks
You're welcome.
Excellent info, and well presented!
Glad it was helpful!
One of the BEST information and presentation ever on this subject. Exactly 💯 % how it feels! Thank you soooo. Very much. You just got yourself a fan, not just a follower!!! 🙏💜🐝 7/2022
I dont remember a time I didn't feel like this.
The thing I notice is how I'd say "I used to do this, I used to love that.." ,that's so sad that so many things stopped. But I saved this video and I ll try do things. I know I don't read entire books like I used to but I look at pages often like comics and I decided to buy a book like that.Its something than nothing..
It can be useful to adopt a position that “I’m doing this because it’s what I’m doing, and relinquish the ‘So that.’” Much as we do with tooth brushing. I’m brushing my teeth because it’s morning, not because it’s thrilling. Enjoyment in formerly enjoyed activities can then begin to sneak in.
@@RandyPaterson thank you for your words.
Great to see a legit professional actually discussing this topic and giving practical down-to-earth advice. Anhedonia gets overshadowed by depression but I tend to see it as a separate condition. From my experience, antidepressants work quite well when dealing with irrational psychological pain and anxiety, but have no effect on the experience of pleasure.
Luckily, I've managed to beat my depression and take no more antidepressants (took me five years to do that, but it is still a miracle) but anhedonia somehow doesn't go away, messing up my career and personal life.
As for your video, it looks like a solid foundation for treating this issue. I'll give your strategies a go, but I feel like I've more or less did the same things with my previous therapists without notable success. I'm starting to think that apart from lifestyle and mindset changes there need to be some special treatment adapted for my particular case. I am currently participating in Jordan Peterson's Past Authoring program and develop my lucid dreaming skills. Will see where this goes. Wish me luck!
Does anyone (or the channel owner, if this gets in front of their eyes) have any advice on what should be done in a case of post-addiction induced anhedonia?
I am aware that my brain chemistry is completely out of whack, but the absolute torture of even getting out of bed seems too big to overcome. I detoxed from suboxone back in December of 2019, and even though it was incredibly difficult, I still had a desire to endure it because the finish line meant no more physical withdrawal symptoms/an ability to wake up and get going without needing something/no more enslavement mentally...
Now however, I have been using a stimulant, and the initial phase of sobriety is so shitty it seems too understandable that I use the first chance I get. My brain screams, you know this addiction leads to death, but - you feel dead when you detox, so what's the difference? Choose death or choose death... only one of those sides also means instant relief from the torture. I hope that makes sense.
I am sorry this rambles so much, but I would love to have any help someone may find appropriate. Thank you!
For many, the anhedonia that can arise post-addiction resolves on its own, but this is quite a gradual process. There are some studies looking at various medications and supplements that may be of use, but this is beyond my level of expertise.
From a behavioral perspective, the types of behavioral activation (BA) procedures discussed in these videos appear to be helpful, though they are likely to be more rapidly effective in unipolar depression than post-withdrawal. Most cases of depression are quite responsive to environmental/behavioral shifts (at least relatively speaking) whereas some forms of addiction seem to produce a longer-lasting organic change that takes longer to return to pre-addiction levels.
A second approach is to recognize that behavior can be governed by at least three factors: Impulse, hedonic experience, and goals-and-values. Impulse tends to be the worst guide, both because for most of us our impulses are badly wired (we want to eat all the chocolate in the house). Hedonic experience (the actual enjoyment of activities) is muted or absent in depression or post-addiction, but may be sparked gradually via BA.
The third idea is to base behavior not on projected feelings, but on one's values. What would your vision of you in your present circumstances but living the best you can (according to your values) be doing? For some, this would mean keeping their home clean, or attending work regularly, or wishing friends well on their birthday, or completing their taxes, or exercising, or planting a garden, or volunteering - whether or not any of these things give pleasure in the short term. This may not always be satisfying, but provides direction and enables this anhedonic period not to be a wasted phase of netflix-watching. As the anhedonia fades, one can begin stirring in activities "because I seem to be enjoying them."
shopping, gym, I even tried to add some habits like drawing in my routine but nothing really helped
still having these episodes of numbness
Thank you for this video.
Hey. This was pretty helpful.
I always wanted to travel. I have the means to possibly do it. But now I feel blah, not really interested anymore. Like I am dead, but still going thru the motions of life.
You may be waiting for the anticipatory enjoyment to arrive ("I'm excited to go") with the thought that once that shows up, you'll give in and do it. The problem is, anticipatory enjoyment typically shows up later, after you've done something a bit. The other problem is that the first time you do something like this, it feels overwhelming, stressful, and nothing like as much fun as you imagined. One strategy is to sharply ramp down expectations ("my plan is to survive, not love it") dampen your hopes, and do something very basic ("instead of the Europe tour I'm going to visit the next town over for a weekend").
Very helpful thanks?
Good evening, How to be Miserable. it's pretty great video. thank. :)
Glad to hear it. Thank you.
I have anhedonia and have been diagnosed with OCD and my first depressive episode (over the spring/summer). I finally sense that my mental health is improving after much advocacy, support from friends, my amazing therapist (ERP therapy for OCD), melatonin for sleep, blood tests and supplementation, getting outside, exercise, etc. I'm doing more and feeling a little better, but my anhedonia is still present and is causing indecision. I really want to apply to grad school since I always used to love school and want to grow my career, but I don't "feel joy" when thinking about any of the programs I could apply to. How do you deal with anhedonia when it comes to career choices (that I don't want to postpone)?
During recovery there is always a risk of taking on too much too soon, and this must be borne in mind. But in the presence of anhedonia clinicians generally advocate taking anticipatory joy "out of the driver's seat" and making decisions based more on logic, the requirements of the moment, or a best-guess about what one will be glad to have done, rather that what one feels like doing. During anhedonia we usually don't feel like doing ANYTHING, and doing nothing will generally make things worse.
@@RandyPaterson Thank you! I will bear this good advice in mind. Applying to programs (that I logically think I will be glad to have completed) for now may be a good step, and to continually work on recovery until this program starts in September (and onwards) :)
@@PeaceboneGotFound any better. I'm exactly in the same I have pure O and in Melbourne Australia we had two years of lockdowns both Just screwed myself over
Thank you for making this video. I experienced Anhedonia some months ago. I got through it and now I'm having the same problem. Your video was the reason I got through it the first time. Time to watch again. Thanks for being a cool human ;)
The most important step for me was putting anhedonia in the passenger's seat and my aspirations in the driver's seat.
How do you deal with feeling like you’re faking it and feeling like an imposter? When it’s something you used to love
I think you admit it to yourself and don't try to pretend otherwise. "I'm not doing this because I'm having such a great time. I'm doing it because it's what the 'well' me does. I'm doing it because I'm doing it." And after all, what's the alternative - the couch?
And if someone calls you on it: "Yeah, it's been a while and I'm not actually all that charged about it, but I figure if I do what I used to like I'll get myself back in that groove."
I like to think of it as a synonym for apathy.
Me too. This is apathy that he’s describing.
I have anhedonia and I can't feel any emotions anymore. I'm wondering if my antidepressants caused it
This is a question best raised with your prescriber. It can be a difficult one to answer, as antidepressants are given for, no surprise, depression - and anhedonia is a standard symptom of depression. It may equally be that the anhedonia caused the prescription.
Yes anti depressants caused it . I am also victim of it
@@sanjeeviglesias6293 I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how much it sucks. I'm in the process of getting off my medication and going to try herbal remedies as replacements to see if the anhedonia will go away
@@sanjeeviglesias6293 Same here.
Antidepressants caused me permanent anhedonia and emotional numbness.
I have PSSD.
Antidepressants are f poisons!
If you want to know if its the antidepressants or not, just try increasing the dose. Antidepressants definitely caused it for me. I'm now like a vegetable
You're awesome! Loved the video so much!
I am under 18 and i am feeling no emotions at all. In my case there was a depression that was caused because of guilt and shame caused by one of my actions . At first i was feeling really bad but i was still able to feel emotions including good ones from time to time. I was like that for idk maybe about a year more or less until one day i just couldnt feel anything including the bad emotions. At first i was like "WOW i am actually finaly free of this' but as the time was going on i started to become more and more worried because i wasnt feeling good emotions anymore. I was very confused i mean i thought that eventually it will go away so i waited,and waited, and waited... and as expected nothing happend. But day after day i was feeling less and less worried because feeling nothing at all kinda became my normal life and i started to forget what it was to feel good. After months and months of having the most boring life someone can imagine i finally did some research, and just found about anhedonia.
I was just hoping to get some advice on what to do.
Psych meds cause severe anhedonia and emotional numbness.
Are you on meds?
Well, with a story like that it sounds like there are more issues than someone who has never met you can really address very well. If you have the option of seeing someone in a counselling setting to help deal with recent events, I would strongly advocate that. Some people benefit from reading self-help books or gleaning info from youtube videos, but you may have some specific concerns that would benefit from in-depth discussion with a professional.
I feel like I want too go out do things talk too people but my life isn’t that way I hate being home doing nothing wasting my days
i haven’t felt anything in over a decade
I'm so sorry you're having to go through that. Are there no antidepressants you can try, or conversely, maybe being on medication is blanking you out? In my case, I get tiny break throughs, but I've had a pretty solid year and a half of deep depression.
I mean how many years until you force yourself to do things till you start enjoying them again it’s been 13 for me. I guess maybe life is just like this for some people it sucks. Good luck to everyone else out there.
Can you elaborate?
It's been more than 10 for me. Bipolar 2 and stuck in the depressive phase for years, altered only by the seasonal spring arrival of hypomania. I cannot force myself to do anything, let alone think about enjoying anything. There is no joy in life, only the occasional brief absence of misery. I just want to live while I'm alive.
I had anhedonia over three years i tried therapy, lifestyle changes and antidepressants none of those did anything but then i got adhd diagnosis and got access to stimulants in first day of trying methylphenidate my three year long anhedonia was cured instantly that med still works btw. anhedonia is usually caused by low dopamine signaling and only way to cure it in my opinion is upregulate those receptors by using dopaminergic meds.
I feel like people need talents to survive，the talent of creating something that can make you happy everytime or the talemt of getting happiness easily
Thank you for this.
Be good to yourself people...I am looking at this thinking thinking this has got to be a sane response to being locked in your homes for a year because of this lockdown. I have often said that it is the world that needs to take medication to cure MY mental illnesses.
I used to like studying and I could do it easily for long hours.....but after my antidepresant medicines started I just couldnt enjoy study....and slowly It became so difficult for me even daily chores exaust me!
Yes, I hear that. Many psych meds cause, or are associated with "brain fog", along with Anhedonia. Hard to see the forest for the trees. These are great tips, but, as alluded to, one has Anhedonia as a symptom of depression; one of many, and comorbid anxiety, almost by default. Hope you're doing well, brother.
Perfect! Thankyou
Thank you
You're welcome.
My friend is suffering from anhedonia what can i do to get her back..😩
even though divorce is killing me, I still tell myself "x is still more than nothing". so you know if I do 25 pushups and im telling myself I used to do 100 ... I try to remind myself 25 is more than zero.
Disappointment and discouragement are more a product of expectation than achievement. If you expect to perform as you once did at your best, having allowed yourself to get out of practice, disappointment is all but inevitable no matter how well you do. If, as you notice, you set the bar for achievement at zero, or at how you once did at your worst, demotivating discouragement is less likely. If we simply approach tasks with nonjudgemental curiosity - "let's see what happens when I do pushups" - we can react to the experience itself, rather than to its relationship with the fantasy we had created about it.
Thank you.
If I don't care about anything, why would I care to seek help?
I'm a friend of an emotionally numb best friend
I'm still holding onto him and supporting him although he isn't there for me when I need him, he doesn't enjoy the things we used to enjoy, he doesn't feel like the same person
But I love him too much to just leave him, I'm bearing it because I want to bear him
But what really frustrates me, is that I don't seem to have an effect on him..
Is my support any helpful?
Does any emotionally numb person in this comment section care if someone truly loves them or care for them?
Does it help your case or is it pointless?..
it’s nice to know you’re there. They acknowledge you’re trying your best to help and it’s comforting. However, they think the help is pointless and won’t change anything. Coming from someone with anhedonia for 2 years. Hope this helped
furthermore they know that they are supposed to care for you but don’t necessary feel the emotional part of caring
(CURE EMOITIONAL NUMBNESS)
Hi friend, hope you are well! . I am Raman and 1 among you who had undergone emotional numbness for about 1 and half year . I am completly fine now. it took me around 8 months frankly speaking to feel again. i have worked harder and harder to during these 7 to 8 months actually to feel my emotions . I had done tons of research to finally come to conclusion that we can again be emotionaly sensitive with some activity , diet , supplements.
1) We have to heal our limbic system of brain , specially amygdala , hypothalamus & preforntal cortex if unhealthy ,causes various mental and personality disorders like
a) Social Anhedonia b) schizoid personality disorder , c) autism , d) borderline personality e) avoidance personality and so on
2) work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter (OXYTOCIN)
3) Work on healing neurons that releases neurotransmitter Dopamine and Norepinepharine from post to pre synaptic at frontal cortex, VTA, Nucieus accumbens and startum part of the brain (resonbile for our craving for socialization and hating isolation working on the mechanisam of "Reward system")
Normalize the level of vitamins and minerals that helps in synthesization of such neurotransmitters.
& Maintaining Gut health (our second brain) believe it on not it matters alot in order to prohibiting the immune response to cause inflamation that results in brain cells to die
4)CBT & Talk therapy ( only for people with PTSD ) works on subconcious mind that make behaviorial changes to eliminate trigger points that cuases oxidative stress continuously
5) Exercise (any) , Yoga (limbic system ), meditation (metta and normal ) to releif from oxidative stress
6) Diet Which i will explain
7)supplements which i will explain
8) Safely tapper off antidepressants specially SSRI SERTALINE ( this increased my Emotional blunting and ED) i will guide you on this.
If u want my guidance contact me at ramankarora1990@gmail.com
email subject - eg Emotional numbness
whatsapp no. 8360633747
Thats it . it seems difficult but its very easy!
I have put alot of time and money to gather this information and read lots of books on science of neurology , psychology, homeopathy, Ayurveda, accupressure science for various mental disorders and mirror neurons .
I have done diploma course on neuropsychology.
What inspired me? i also suffered from Emotional numbness , prefered isolation, so i felt out of love with my girl friend without any reason and didnot enjoy her company anymore despite she was same loving , caring , loyal, was unable to love back and like my family either. I have lost her now . So i can feel pain of other people as well. Luckily i am just like a normal guy and and no more emotionaly numb, i can have fun, make people laugh wherever i am emotional i am able to cry now i am able to bond people at emotional level. I enjoys my hobbies again. I feel improvements in reasoning and intellectual capability.
Different people different reasons
1) Post trauma stress disorder in childhood ( resulting in brain's defence mechanasim that shut down processing of emotions to protect you from further emotional pain as you grow in adulthood very slowly until u reach a point where u fully realize it. ( It could be a product 1 or many painful events of ur life for example , sexualy abused in childhood, parents consitent fights , parents have extra marital affair, parents have not been caring to you , death of parents or closed one , consistent rejection from crush or lover , GF/BF cheating on you and many more . #CBT therapy is effective in this case#
2) Brain injury (specially at prefrontal cortex and limbic system )
resulting in (low IQ , low concentration, low memory >> brain fog >> Bipolar disorder >> depression >> emotional numbness # Diet , Supplemets, exercise , mindfulness, accupressure is effective in this case)
3) Antidepressants side effect causes emotional blunting & numbness
( Diet , supplements , exercise , mindfulness, accupressure , is effective in this case)
If you lack empathy,
If you lack energy in the brain and body
If energy in the brain gets drained while talking to someone
If you feel like keep sleeping at bed is something gives u little relief
If you feel you can not love anyone since u do not experience it for a long time
If you do not care about your family but you intend to care them
If you got detached from the people you loved without solid reason.
you do not feel to have a aim in the life
you have bad sexual health
you have not cried for a long time but you wish to cry
You want to sucide
you hear a ringing sound in the year 24*7.
If you think you can not reverse the emotional numbness. Yes you can reverse it 100%
Please know that nobody in this world will help you . you have to help yourself .
I will help you be normal becoming your mentor.