I have and I think I have it. I am not finding much information. I haven’t used in a year and I see a therapist and I am on Effexor, tramazapam, and mirtazipine. I can’t sleep either. Have you had any luck with it.
YES, I THOUGHT IT IS A PART OF DEPRESSION? AND NUMBNESS IS COMMON IS EARLY RECOVERY.. IT SUCKS ... ITS A PART OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER... AND MANY MENTAL ILLNESSES CROSS OVER INTO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTS LIVES... I REMEMBER IT IN MY FIRST YEAR OF SOBRIETY 29 YEARS AGO..I COULDNT FEEL ANYTHING... IT WAS SAD.... I DID FEEL SAD ALL THE TIME.. SUICIDAL TOO.....
I'm just 15,and I suffer anhedonia while getting out of addiction by mobile games...and I can't tell it to my parents as I don't want them to worry much about me and panic. This video was very helpful to me in my situation..... Thanks a lot.
Hi Rahul - I'm so glad to know you found it helpful. I can tell you that you are not alone in this struggle. It is very common, among teens like yourself as well as adults. It's wonderful that you are taking the initiative to address it 😊
I drank for most of my life, but my 1 year alcohol free anniversary is just a couple weeks away. I quit Benzos 8 months ago as well. Anhedonia hit me hard within a week of quitting alcohol, and while it has mostly resolved, I am still experiencing it to some degree. Current events don't help for sure. I have to keep in mind that quitting was just the beginning of the recovery and healing process. Mindfulness helps, don't put too much emphasis on how you feel. A lot of the feelings, or lack thereof, are your brain chemistry needing to recalibrate in the absence of whatever substance you were taking. Try not to fear it, relax, don't react, and let time pass.
Thank you for saying that.. I've been having so much trouble with relapses because I keep asking myself "when will I feel normal enough to enjoy things again" that's why I love what you just said thank you for your message
@@sangeetalambh6389 still struggling, but I'm coming to the conclusion that it is more job burnout than PAWS. I was feeling generally better after the first year, but the last few months have been high pressure at work and have kept me worn down. How are you doing?
Anhedonia is real! I had no idea at 1st what was happening to me. I kept saying I felt "flat." This lasted about 7-8 months for me. I feel that I am experiencing it again with what is going on in the world and in a different country than loved ones and had a near relapse the other day. Exercise helps this SO MUCH!!
I'm so glad you are okay, Lauren! I'm not surprised to hear that you are experiencing Anhedonia again right now. It is also a common response to trauma (ptsd) and I believe that we are all experiencing trauma throughout the world, to some degree or another, in response to what is happening. Nice to hear from you. Stay well and be safe 💜
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you, KJ, I hope you are safe and well! Makes perfect sense regarding the trauma! I literally said I feel like I'm in withdrawls. I had access to an anxiety pill which I wasnt addicted to but have been off of for a year. I cried and debated and prayed for 12 hours before flushing it. I do hope your family is safe and thank you for this video!
I’ve been to treatment 3 times and this issue was never properly addressed. I know it lead to my relapses. I truly thought there was something wrong with me that I didn’t “feel” anything without alcohol. I did not know this can be a normal phase of recovery. 🙏🏼 you for showing up in my RUclips feed today. On another Day 1 and now I can prepare myself a bit better with this issue. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
i got it really really bad from quitting alcohol and severe major depression - getting out of a long term relationship. i drank since i was 13 til 35, heavy. got cirrhosis at age 34. when i try to reach out to ppl on the net who are suffering from anhedonia, it is really difficult. and i get it. theyll say i don't know what im talking about or just don't believe anything i say. i totally get how horrible it is. i still suffer from it but being social really helps. i use work as a tool for that and it helps me get through most of the day. it is way better than sitting at home feeling the emptiest empty. i switched career paths so i had to get some bs on paper before looking for work in another field. i went through all that shit quiet, stayed persistent. when i didnt have a job and did absolutely nothing, the anhedonia got me thinkin way too much about horrible things in my life and making me have suicidal ideations.
6 months sober from weed to say the struggle to feel again is rough. I'm starting to feel again but I figure it still going to take another 6 months to fully recover. Pray, counseling, exercise, socialization, and a keto diet change does help but is not an instant fix. Those who are suffering in the early months of recovery dont give up it does get better, it just takes time!
Did movies become not as immersive in the early days of anhedonia Plus: did life feel "less immersive"; hence it not having a full punch in terms of feelings and reaction?
@@SuperSonic1116 simple answer yes. Weed makes it much worse. I have had a hard life and with that comes complex trauma / anxiety. Once you get sober you must deal with the issues that caused addiction.
Hi Daisy! Congrats on the 6 months!! Keep going. I'm rooting for you. Sorry for the late response. I've been moving this week and just now catching up on my comments.
My Gosh the first time someone ever explained what I am going through. i have a supportive wife, great kids and my home life is stable . I am a recovering alcoholic and I feel so numb everyday, I feel guilty because it seems like I'm being ungrateful for living. I'm a cancer survivor, and I was born missing my right hand, 47 years old and I feel my life is nowhere. I see myself going through the day just wasting time until I can go to sleep again. My mother abandoned me and my sisters but I have my wife and children. Thank you for this treatment you are giving all why watch this. I exercise so much much I overtrain because I have nothing else . I Trust God.
I'm just over 12 months clean from methamphetamine addiction, but now have an alcohol addiction. I feel flat and use alcohol to self medicate. I live alone and am struggling, thanks for for this information
I'm glad to know you found the video helpful. Give yourself time. Your brain hasn't been given enough of a chance to heal, especially with the alcohol use. You will ultimately feel so much better without it. Good luck to you, Paige.
This is a phenomenal video on anhedonia. I am going throught this with kratom withdrawal and all of the mentioned suggestions are spot on! Thanks for a clear, concise and informative video on this topic!
Hi Richard! I'm sorry to hear you're going through withdrawals, but very happy to know you found this video helpful!! I hope it eases the suffering for you, even if it's just a little 🙌
It’s been three years for me, I tried to numb it down with alcohol, drugs, sex but it backfired but now I am slowly recovering first step is to maintain a routine, no overstimulation, better diet and workout. Also not expecting anything but just doing what I suppose to do and now I can see 1 percent improvement it’s not much but there is hope now
Keep going. One thing you can’t do is give up and use again because it only takes longer. I felt sooo numb for months then little by little everyday felt better in some small way. With enough time, our miraculous body does what it does best. If we can manage to get addicted, we can also manage to get unaddicted. You have to trust the process. I try to imagine what I used to do as a kid and what things brought me small insignificant pleasures and it really helps. Your diet also needs to match, trying to detox and exercise even if it’s walking at the park. Everything you do is significant❤️ Wishing you all a full recovery.. god bless
I've suffered from severe depression my entire life secondary to childhood trauma. I started medicating with booze in my late, late 20s. I've struggled with alcohol my entire adult life. I almost died about nine months ago from alcohol. I went to NA for eight months and left because it was all too depressing and fake. I relapsed about three weeks ago and have been drinking ever since. The depression never leaves me.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I would suggest trying another program, such as LifeRing, SMART Recovery or Dharma. There are so many options available and you haven't been sober long enough to really experience all the benefits. Don't try harder, try different!!
I feel that this shitty plague has somewhat driven me into this emotional state. Had a panic attack a few weeks ago and still feeling on edge. I would not wish that awful exp on anyone. I hate whats happening to the world in the 2020s. Thanks for hearing me out.
Hi there - I can relate to how you feel. I know a lot of people are struggling because of the experience with the pandemic. Happy to listen. I hope you found the video helpful.
Me too man, I stopped watching the fake news, just check in for main updates and I'm gone. The rest is filler, Anxiety is horrible, I was feeling it so much I thought it would never go, but I'm also in recovery for alcohol. Just know that most of what's going on you cannot control, be good to yourself. Nopoiunt in worrying about things you cannot control, but you can control how you treat yourself, and caring for your health and needs. Love and understanding from here man, you'll beat this, I did and am still fighting!
The trouble with so-called "antidepressants" is that they can be extremely addictive. One does not CRAVE this type of pill or capsule, as one might crave a street drug; however withdrawal from depression drugs can be lengthy and brutal. One must take into account that coming off "antidepressants" can be just as grueling as coming off benzodiazepines.
It can be, yes. But that is why being under a dr supervision is so important because if you just abruptly stop anti-depressants you will experience significant withdrawal. Weaning is typically necessary. Thanks for sharing and I apologize it has taken me so long to respond. I am just seeing your comment.
Just hit the 1 month mark off being sober from weed. Even though it makes me proud, the anhedonia has been hitting me hard for like a week now. Feeling really unmotivated and just can't seem to enjoy the things I enjoyed before. I know it's just temporarily and learning about anhedonia trough these type of videos is really helpful! So thank you for that. I'm planning on calling a clinic this friday that is nearby me to either join a support group or to find someone I can talk to like once a week. I'm gonna push trough even though it really sucks at this time. But it is also a good reminder that my brain is healing from the addiction. We got this! 💪
Hi Rene - Congrats on your one month sober from weed!! That's wonderful and I hope you were able to find a support group, as I think it will help you a great deal. YOU got this!!
@@DRKJFOSTER thank you for responding, that means a lot! I have been on the verge of relapsing but I choose my new and better social life over my addiction so i'm still sober 😁. Did not made an appointment yet with the clinic but still planning on doing so. Thanks again!
@@swedd013 hey mate how you are doing? I am on day 43 and feel no energy / no sex drive even my balls are basically empty without even jerking of for days... Mood and anxiety is baaad
@hvz007 Hello mate. Well I did quit for like 3 months back then only to fall for the trap again. I was allowed to quit work early that day, and for some reason, my brain associated that with smoking weed. And I thought to myself that smoking for that day only wouldn't hurt. Enden up smoking evreyday again for like a year+. Now i'm sober again since 7 days. And i'm very happy that i've made that decision again. I think you need to fail a few times in order to recognize the triggers and the traps I guess. I also realize that this time, I need to break loose from the people that still smoke on a daily basis. Which is hard cause some of those people I have known for over 15 years. But I do believe that once i've quit long enough, I automatically start to attract people who also live a more sober lifestyle. If you have any questions or just want to talk about it, feel free to do so!
1 year sober from alkohol (with PAWS) and still anhedonia! This is a big thing! I am trying now AD and i hope that AD will help me a little for my second year! I wish everybody smooth recovery!
As someone, who has dealt and is currently dealing with this. This was very well thought out and delivered outstandingly. I myself am a Neuroscientist by trade, also I take 5 HTP, L-TYROSINE, which are basic supplements in any CVS, Walgreens...etc. This has helped TREMENDOUSLY!!!! In my opinion. This is the BIGGEST cause for relapse. Even though I know my brain is "LYING" to me, to tell me to use, I KNOW I cannot and will not! Thank you for your time and your videos. They are TOP NOTCH 👏👌
Thank you so much for this video. I am one month out from quitting opioids for pain mgt but before that I abused alcohol for many years. I am experiencing significant anhedonia now that I am completely sober. It's really scary to feel like this. Nothing inspires or interests me and my mood is low. It's like the whole universe is askew. I want to cry sometimes but no tears will come. I understand this should improve but I have to be patient and respect that my poor little brain has been through a lot and needs to heal. And yet I'm still so afraid it won't get better:(
It took me 4 years to feel normal again. Wow I didn't think I would but when you get over this phase it's incredible! I had anhedonia for 4 years straight after drinking . I think it took to long because I relapsed 3 months into it.
@@DRKJFOSTER Hi, I came off weed 3 months ago. Didn’t know that my depression was due to not smoking . So I got into antidepressants for a week before realizing about this “anhedonia” side effect. So I stopped the antidepressants after a week. My question is, does taking antidepressants for a week change my recovery process? Even if it was for a week? Also I haven’t been sleeping AT ALL ! Like I only sleep for 2-3 hours at night. Making it harder for my brain to recover. Thank you !
I was on caffeine for 30+ years and I quit cold turkey 23 months ago, and I have had PAWS from this underestimated drug. I’m a lot better, but this happens and it’s real and I can’t wait to be on the other side 💯. Your videos helped me in the beginning of my withdrawal… thank you.
Hi again! Thanks, Mandy. Caffeine is a tricky one, just like sugar. A little can actually help reduce cravings, but too much will make it significantly worse.
I feel really bad for those that suffer from this without any substance abuse involved. when they just have it and no drug caused it. My Anhedonia was caused from being on suboxone for over 10 years.
I'm so sorry to hear that you had to go through that. I hope it has resolved for you? There are many different issues and illnesses that can cause anhedonia, not just drug use. I feel sorry for anyone who has to go through this. Thanks for sharing your experience.
The most positive thing I have to say about Anhedonia is that it does pass. It may take a seemingly impossible length of time to happen, but it does. The brain can heal, if you treat it right.
I used amphetamines, lsd and weed for a year and I'm experiencing this right now. It sucks but I've started going to the gym and it's a life saver! I'm gonna make this!
@@banke8480 I'm feeling a bit better. I got prescribed wellbutrin which helps with the dopamine levels a little. I'm also trying to be kinder to myself and taking things slowly. Like if I only feel like watching tv some days I'm totally fine with it. I've been through some traumatic things and it's okay to take some time off. I know things will only get better from here :)
Going on 85 days, working with a sponsor. It seems life can be depressing without the drink. When I was drinking I had a lot of anxiety,and anxiousness.
Addiction AND Depression are two diseases that go hand in hand. A truly brutal combo. Solutions are near impossible to find because prolonged drug use can create permanent alterations to one's brain chemistry. It's a SUFFOCATING state of mind that seems like a hopeless endeavor when faced with the struggle day in and day out!😥
True 💯about the addiction depression combo. And, yes, it does seem hopeless in the beginning, but the brain does heal. It just takes time and most people want quicker, more immediate results, and it just doesn't work that way.
That's only in "healthy" people. By rising serotonin levels in brain, they drop dopamine, which might cause anhedonia. But it should pass once you get off of them.If you already have anhedonia, antidepressants probably won't change much with it. Possibility of anhedonia is not the only problem with antidepressants, but if you're suicidal or about to turn back to addiction, they're obviously better than either of those two.
Anhedonia combined with depression is a killer combo. You either feel awful or nothing at all. I;d genuinely rather have depression without anhedonia than anhedonia without depression. At least there will be good days. Now there are bad days and meh days, but never good ones.
I'm experiencing after coming off a medly of psychiatric medications and an alcohol problem for years of which I decided to come off over a year ago. I have very little to no interest in anything I used to be passionate 12 months into complete abstinence now and the Anhedonia still persists. It's a slow process but I'm adiment to do this unmedicated, medication and the side effects are the reason I ended up on so much medication and using alcohol to self medicate along the way.
I've been a drinker most of my life including childhood. I have also had a pretty active abuse of drugs once I became an adult. Until attempting to quit drinking just before covid I drank until I had seizures. Still I continued to drink because I didn't want to quit and didn't care- depressed and addicted. Around early 2020 I guess I hit " rock bottom " but had already been there for very long. 2 years of withdrawal seizures and continued to drink. Couldn't keep a job. Breaking my ribs. Very bad. One day I decided I would try to quit. Afraid of the slingshot relapse, I gave myself a drink day every 1-2 weeks. I fell back into drinking, like heavily for 3 days straight. People who aren't hard-core alcoholic cannot imagine how much it really is. Eventually I got myself under control, still once every few months. However I'm so depressed. No interest in the things I love. No pleasure when I do them. Flat lined. Pessimistic and still am. My times off the wagon usually end badly but it breaks up this monotony. I know its wrong but I can feel a binge coming up but I don't care. I'm so bored and it's the only time I feel anything. Aside from not having seizures, things haven't felt any better. Almost worse. I see how fucked up everything actually is. Like, if life sucks just as much or more being sober, I'd rather be drunk.
Hi Chris - I can totally identify with what you are describing. My first 14 months of sobriety were the worst of my life. They totally sucked in every way possible. A complete avalanche of consequences and feeling hopeless. But it did start to shift and when it did start to shift, it got progressively better. I got better, my ability to handle stress got better and I was able to finally achieve a sense of peace within myself. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to heal the brain and during that time there is a lot of symptoms like anhedonia and feelings of hopelessness that come and go. I'm sharing this because I also want you to know that it DOES eventually get better and that all the pain I experienced was WORTH IT to get where I am today. I would suggest, if you haven't already, to get involved with some kind of support group and start to develop relationships with others who have achieved sobriety. It really does make a difference to be surrounded by recovery strength. The lie is that is hard to push through is that life sucks sober. Does life suck for awhile? Sometimes a long while? Yup!! But it DOES get better and when it does it's SO MUCH BETTER. I have a peace within myself that I never had before, even before I struggled with my addiction. Please don't give up on yourself 🙏
I have had anhedonia for 3 years from opioid use. I started using then when i was like 19 and stopped when i was 23. Mainly bubrenorphine, sometimes oxycodone. And stimulants here and there. I just think i have permanently damaged my normal dopamine functioning and stuff. I excercise 4 times a week, try to eat good food even thought i just do not feel like doing any of those things. This just sucks man. So i have not used for 3 years. Still strong cravings, suicidal thoughts sometimes, nothing gives me joy anymore.. I am worried if this continues for the rest of my life. I excercise regularly, cardio, gym and i am in a good shape. I still do not get enjoyment from lifting weights and that was my favourite thing before my addiction..
Hi Miika! I'm so sorry, but I am just seeing this comment. I don't know why? But I want to say I agree with Riddlemewalker that it is awesome that you have not used for three years and should not give up home that things will ultimately get better as your body and brain continue to heal. I hope you are still going strong in your recovery process.
O thank goodness. I’m on day 12 (again) of sobriety. I was starting to think “THIS is my ‘reward’ for not drinking??? What’s the point?? If signing up for a joyless life is what I’m doing then I’d rather bring the booze back…” But I really don’t want the booze back !!! Knowing that this will go away is SO relieving
I am in the process of recovering from an exercise addiction. 19 years of doing this and now I'm trying to adjust. It's very difficult. Today is just one of many where I cry uncontrollably in the car because if I go home and no one's there I'm tempted. I don't know how to be happy at home..... wooohsah
Hi Shawn - Any addiction, no matter what it is, is a difficult pattern to break. It also comes with a lot of pain and other difficult emotions. You are definitely not alone in your experience or the feelings you are dealing with. You will be happy at home, it's just going to take time. Time, like you said, "to adjust." Be gentle with yourself and know that I'm here rooting for you 🙌
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you for responding. It's very lonely when you deal with a not so common addiction. Finding ppl who can understand or even have empathy can make the recovery process rough. Thanks again!😊
Shawn - Here is a link to an article you may find interesting and/or helpful... www.healthline.com/health/fitness/how-to-rebuild-a-healthy-relationship-with-fitness
I suffered from something that I do not know what it is called. That thing is lack of feeling. I am not interested anymore in anything. When I made a simple search, I understood that I suffer from Anhedonia.
I didn't technically abuse a substance, but rather was given a drug (prescription [for me]) for a "moderate depressive episode"; two SSRIs for three weeks, relitivly high-entry doses. But I had a seizure on week 3, then the "blah" was visible the next morning (right after it I felt that a part of me was gone, something just vanished) . After the seizure I couldn't enjoy a thing, things I liked were dramatically blunted, I was like "Here, feel liking/excitement/wow", but as if the part in my head responsible for registering the visual signal & signalling a "reward" singal for it (to allow feeling if excitement/enjoyment). It had me feeling detached from life whilst me not being able to recognize myself in the mirror, it was weird, it had me to go back and forth with "adapting to the new norm". I've read in reddit some people's experiences about anhedonia; and some noted to MAOIs having the ability of improving the symptoms of anhedonia. It's very strange for me; like nothing is immersive as it used to be before. EDIT: I was normal before the seizure, just an "overwhelmed" 21 y/o about something. I felt the place of the "seizure" it was high frequency pulsations of utter pain & convulsions whilst fully aware. It was going up, starting most likely in the area of the midbrain, then going behind my forehead. At least that was were I felt it. I'm reading about TMS, maybe it could fix my head
It's weird that they gave you a three-week SSRI prescription. Sometimes it takes people that long to feel the full effect of SSRIs, and you could have withdrawal effects. Sorry that happened to you. Have you been evaluated for epilepsy? There is a link between epilepsy and depression. Getting a diagnosis (if you do have epilepsy) could open up potential treatments like TMS. I have a friend with epilepsy & depression and he would definitely get long-term brain fog, anhedonia, and other weird mental effects after a seizure. Eventually he was treated with surgery and although he still struggles with depression, it makes a big difference to be more stable and not have to worry about seizures.
@@Jokaanan I spoke to a man who dealt with natural remedies and he said he saw a connection with vitamin E deficiency in every person who has seizures. Could be worth a shot. Try have a handful of almonds every day. Can blend them up, then add water, a banana and whatever other fruit you like or just leave it as only the banana and then re-blend. The blended up almonds with water create almond milk. Other high vitamin E foods are avocado, sunflower seeds, spinach. A yum way to eat spinach is chopped tomato, coriander (can be ground if no leaves), spinach, lemon juice, salt, and a tiny bit of crushed garlic. Mix in a bowl and leave for 10 mins to cook in the salt and lemon. Tastes really delicious. Lol I'm gonna stop now cause I'm writing a recipe book here.
@@Jokaanan Oh good!! It's very delicious when the proportions are correct. Raw vegetables have far more nutrients then cooked over the stove. They satisfy the body more, and give more energy. From scratch is always much better for us and more delicious then using packaged food. Table salt is extremely bad for us, but sea salt is incredibly healthy. The blue sea salt is made from polluted water from France, and the pink Himalayan salt is made from petrified meat. Plain sea salt is best. There are parts of Australia that require a person to eat a stick of salt every few hours or they will die. My father had to when working up north. True salt also decalcifies the body. It's easy to make from scratch... for example, a vegetable cube can be replaced by blending up and onion, carrot, celery, mushroom, bit of lemon peal etc; whatever you like, and pouring the whole lot into the meal, soup or gravy etc. Lots more nutrients and more filling too. Another good way to have spinach is with a pesto: blend up any leaf, such as mint, basil, coriander, nettle (or only use some, or add them all), and then add a bit of spinach. Then add a tiny bit of garlic, about 1/2 cup of good/fresh olive oil, bit of salt. Then can stir in any toasted or roasted nut or sunflower seeds. Can add lemon juice if you like. If you have the salt and garlic proportions correct, it can taste amazing! The pesto can be used on anything and it's still delicious. Can put it on plain rice, or pasta, or baked potatoes. It goes well with the tomato dish I mentioned before on the side.
Congrats on 3 days. And, yes, at 3 days it is going to seem very overwhelming. And the truth is that It is a lot of work, which is why many people give up. The thing is... it's SO worth it when you gain that freedom.
Hey how you doing??? I’m going thru this. Took antidepressants for a week(but stopped) before I realized that my depression came from quitting weed. Now I just can’t sleep, at all. For 3 months ….
I have been a heavy abuser of drugs and alcohol most of my life. The first 20 years of abuse was alcohol, illegal drugs of all kinds except for meth and drugs that require needles to use. I finally quit all that but a year later i injured my back on the job. The doctor prescribed painkillers and muscle relaxers... Huge mistake. Soon after benzos were added because of anxiety. It didn't take long before the pills doubled, trippled and so forth. For almost 20 years i have battled with prescription med abuse. Getting clean off illegal drugs and alcohol was nothing compared to the pain of detoxing of prescription meds. Once i got past the 3 week hell of physical withdraw then came the mental withdraw. Sill battling that 9 months later.
I'm so sorry to hear of your suffering. I am, however, glad to hear that you are on your way out of that hole. I understand you are still battling at 9 months, but it does eventually get better. Hang in there, it's worth it.
Hi Dr. KJ Foster, thank you for sharing. I have been a chronic marijuana user since 4 years and very extreme in last 1 year, I am 30 years old. I have quit since 2 months as I experienced an embarrassing incident of ED. I have no libido and feeling anxiety since then being a young man. I am wondering if my intense use is ever going to normalize my dopamine and reward centers? I feel I am experiencing other symptoms that you described as well but haven’t used any other drugs except alcohol occasionally. Just hoping for a recovery time and low libido is part of this process? Thank you so much for being here.
I was up to 4-5 joints a day And what I really felt killed it was oil and high thc vapes. I quit 2 months and no other drugs used ever but just concerned if my quantities stretched me beyond recovery point? Would really appreciate your answer as support.
Everything in your brain is based on the genetic code that remains protected in your cell nuclei, so your brain WILL heal itself with time and sobriety. Even most people with TBIs recover in the long-term so you definitely can.
So I’ve been addicted for like 12 years with 4 months being my longest time of recovery and now I’m attempting sobriety again I have 51 days and the inability to feel pleasure or pain is so unbearable I feel trapped and tortured. I do not want to touch alcohol again I drank sun up to sun down and developed many health problems as a result too. It doesn’t work for me at all. I can’t work if I’m in addiciton either. But I’m gonna ask my doctor about anhedonia. I take Prozac and I was thinking it was the medication making me feel blah and feel completely numb to anything positive or negative but maybe I need more medication bc I tried ti stop taking the Prozac and the anhedonia got even worse. This is terrible please pray for me
@@katharineanonymous6992 Thisbis SO good to hear. My significant other is currently in the wall phase. It’s hard. I’ve never used at all in my life so it’s impossible for me to understand what he’s going through. That 1 year mark is just around the corner for you. Keep on doing what you’re doing. Comments like yours give me hope for him.
I just stopped weed for 10 days and i feel adheonia and i just smoked 2 joints a day for 2 months. Need some advices because it is hard. Never touched anything before, i was an athlete and now even my motivation is gone and i did sport all my Life.
The anhedonia is normal. It's going to take awhile for your brain to heal. I would suggest finding a support group to help you through the cravings and PAWs.
I am only 14 years old & I loved shopping...but now I can't find any happiness in my favourite things like shopping , study and many other things...the joy is completely missing from my life ...I can't sleep even ..what to do ?
Congratulations on having the courage to make a healthier lifestyle choice for yourself. Unfortunately, amphetamines (especially after 30+ years of use) have a difficult post-actue withdrawal and it takes much more time for the brain to heal. The good news is that if you just keep moving forward and don't give up, you'll never have to go through this again! Keep going!! You CAN do this!!!
Been a weed user since i was 15 im now 32 smoked every day heavily im 3 weeks into recovery and suffering from anhedonia. Can you recover without medication if so what sort of timeline before i feel normal .
Hi Steven - Congratulations on your 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a timeline. There is so much that contributes to how long it will take someone to go through PAWS which is not just based on amount and frequency of use but also health history. Keep going and your brain and body will eventually heal.
Hi dr please can you help, is it common to think that you're permanently damaged and will never be able to live a normal life? I've been in PAWS with anhedonia for 2 years now after my first attempt to quit. I'm now 5 months clean and still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Beginning to convince myself I have a horrible neurological problem instead. Is this pessimistic thought pattern common?
Yes, yes and yes. Everything you are describing is common. I'm confused by your timeline. You say you have PAWS with anhedonia for 2 years but you are 5 months clean. When you go back to using, you lose any gains your brain has achieved in healing. I think I mentioned in my video that my son experienced anhedonia for about 6 months, but also knows people who have experienced longer. The good news is that you will get through it, but you also need help. Having a support group will help you get through it and help pull you out of that negative mindset. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Sorry for the delayed response. I just came across your comment today.
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you so much for your response and videos, really appreciate it! As for the timeline, I entered PAWS when I first quit 2 years ago and went back to using to try and get rid of it because I was so uncomfortable and unaware of PAWS at the time. The symptoms continued and it took me longer than it should off to realise what was going on, leading to me quitting for good only 5 months ago!
I'm 7 months sober !!! Feeling really flat and unable to really enjoy life !! Sleep is still poor with many interruptions most nights !!! Will not relapse from this new way but it is difficult !!! Hoping that when i get past my first year things will improve !! Best of luck to you ,hang in there !x
I’m a week sober, experienced this feeling but due to what I’d describe as self assigned stress, this feeling of nothing was a sort of welcomed change in the short term...it actually reminded me of when I was on antidepressants. I felt depressed, but I wasn’t depressed, if that makes sense. That was the only word I could think to describe it, So when I searched depression after quitting drinking that’s when I learned about anhedonia. This is the longest I’ve been sober in a long time, I’m having trouble finding online AA or meetings, are there any suggestions I could look for?
Congrats on your week sober!! Here is a video for your to watch that gives you information about all the different alternatives to 12-Step Recovery. Not sure if you're looking for that or trying to find AA in your area. Also, I have daily recovery support meetings and you are welcome to attend those. Here is the link to the video... ruclips.net/video/gEiWGqjJTZs/видео.html
Not sure if you'll see this Dr. KJFOSTER, but I had a decent amount of mdma, benzo, and alcohol abuse I'm 37 days sober and anhedonia is what I experience daily it seems. I've been using nicotine to help cope but nicotine induces dopamine aswell, would nicotine use slow the process of my brain healing and coming back to feeling anything?
Good question, Maio. I'm not a medical doctor, so I could not answer that question. It may be the case. I can tell you that I smoked cigarettes for the first year of my sobriety and I had significant PAWS, so it may very well be the case. That said, this is something that I can't really speak to with any real confidence. I'm going to check with a psychiatrist I know and find out what he says. I can tell you that there are so many factors that come into play when it comes to PAWS that it is so hard to give any real advice (for anyone) without having a full assessment of your personal health history. I do know that because of the benzo use, you can expect that your PAWS will be challenging, but what I remind people is that once you go through it, you never have to go through it again. Much luck to you and congrats on your 37 days!
I am no expert but let's say as a 'peer support' here is my 2 cents. Everytime I stop smoking weed, I find myself smoking raw swishers which is frankly disgusting. The strategy is since I hate swishers it will act as a 'crutch' and gradually I will stop that too. But frankly, that just opens door to relapse. As mind plays trick "why smoke such a harsh substance when you can smoke weed?". So I would say to abstain from nicotine and to cut the head off as early as possible lest it rears its ugly head. Having relapses again and again, here are some takeaways: -addiction needs to be replaced (again I have no idea about benzo, mdma or alcohol) -neuroscience plays a role (for me the craving comes 2 times a day and ALWAYS after coffee... so that's my trigger) -changing environment or even address, rearranging house, drastically changing habits or trying new hobbies which produces dopamine (as routine is enemy of sobriety) Hope it helps. Again I am no expert. But if you takeaway anything please don't replace one addiction with another which might sneak up to you. I also found epsom salt bath very soothing. (Then again my addiciton was weed so it is relatively 'benign').
I found that i was severely addicted to pornography and once i decided to stop i got a strong panic attack and then depersonalization derealization. Now i feel anhedonia too much it's like there is a switch inside your brain that when it comes to feel something it blocked my emotions, i can feel that switch for real in the core of my brain plus my forehead is burning , dizziness so much hard to focus and i am like garbage bag , useless, i don't have a motivation to even talk or think , if i tried to think which is so normal activity i found it so much hard and thinking make pain in my head . I feel also tremble and muscle pain. But now it's my day 73 with 1 relapse and from time to time I feek i want back to my addiction pattern . Is this a withdrawal symptoms? And dopamine deficiency?
I relate too this is scary man way you described it and also the depersonalization wasn’t familiar with that. No motivation to talk sheesh. You go inside yourself for too long and it’s like there’s no coming out. Time heals though this happened me once or twice before. Just scary in the moment. We cant keep fucking with our brain chemistry
Im clean from opiates then Suboxone and a lot of Xanax. It's been 2 years clean and it's hard very hard to stay sober because I have anhedonia. I just want to feel happiness be excited about something and I'm just blah! I'm wondering if it will ever go away. Life feels not worth living
Hi Angela! Yes, it will go away!! It just takes time. Please hand in there and know that what you are feeling is normal, but it takes time to get out of the woods. You WILL get there though, just keep going 💪🥰
@@DRKJFOSTER thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. And I learned what anhedonia was from you. It was a relief to hear that it had a name and what's normal. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process!?
Life isn't Fun when You don't have enough Family and Friend support! Especially when You've had a very messed up Family background and a social anxiety youth. I have Anhedonia in My primary health clinic diagnosis but does not seem to be included in My Counseling clinic records. As for My primary health clinic I think it's based on lacking interest in partner sex!
can I ask which specific anti depressant helped your anhedonia? I know some are more effective than others in addressing anhedonia...so just wondered which one helped you, out of interest. thanks
Hi Steve - sorry for the late reply. I did not take anti-depressants for anhedonia. My son, who had significant anhedonia for 6 months, did not take anti-depressants either.
Maam.. Thanku so much for the vdo.. But i want to ask that ive lost interest in music.. But i was alltime music freak.. Maam can u tell me.. That wud it go away?
I had anxiety first and suddenly i started hating music... Is it gonna b permanent?.... Idont want it to be permanent... I liked music all the time... Now i hate it the most.. 😢
Hi Harhsita - Yes, this sounds like classic anhedonia. I can't tell you how long it will take to go away since there are so many factors that come into play relative to duration of symptoms, but what I can tell you is that it WILL eventually go away and you'll be back to enjoying music again.
Everyone look into Julia Ross the mood cure , bpc 157 peptides and ALCAR supplements . Tremendous benefits , also diet is super super key and no caffeine !
5 months weed clean anhedonia is getting worse I don’t feel any pleasure I don’t get excited my bday tomorrow I don’t feel like doing anything but sleep I cancels plans with family and they just don’t care about me
I was a competive bodybuilder I started abusing cocaine and MDMA very heavily like heavily I should've overdosed for over a year . I've been clean over 6 months and I can't even get too the gym I want too sleep all day and I contemplate suicide daily. How long will this last did I destroy my brain . I loved working out it was my whole life now I can't even get out of bed
Hi Jon - It's hard to say how long it will last because there are so many variables, but your brain does heal and working out is one of the best ways to regenerate brain cells - just without the drugs, of course :) I hope you are seeing someone about the depression and suicidal thoughts. This should be addressed, for sure!
Jon I just want to say I feel your pain. Mine is alcohol and cigarettes. I only want to be in bed. I just can’t live like this. I feel that I lost connection with everything real.
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank your for the encouragement. I'm still in the early days (4 days now). I guess I just need to be patient and as you said go day by day!
@@DRKJFOSTER they are not in your About section. There is a linktree icon as one of the options in your About section, however, the Instagram link says ' page not found ' and the Facebook link is to a personal page that has no photos, posts or any related information. I am mentioning this to you with the hope that you correct those errors.
@@kjandtonylovefrance thanks for this video, I can definitely relate to anhedonia and I have many experiences of anhedonia while in recovery from substance addiction as well as recovery from trauma. I used to call that lack of motivation, pleasure and lack of vitality " malaise " but I am taking time to see that I may have also had anhedonia. It was not necessarily always in early recovery that I experienced those feelings, sometimes I still have those feelings at 4 years and 4 months abstinent. I think it's part of my healing and part of the non-linear journey to continual wellness, which I have confidence and faith I will achieve!
I'd rather die then go through that at 68 what is the point of it all. I'm gone but it would be good for young people to know. I have suffered with this for the last 30 years. That's why this lady is not for me. Sorry lady, I don't have that much time. I'm so sad that I got unto you. 😅kill me now
Your perception of people who struggle with addiction issues is clearly very limited, which only feeds into the shame that makes it harder for those who suffer. And I'm not selling you anything. Take it or leave it. Don't like what you're hearing, go somewhere else. God bless you... you know not what you say. I pray you may find recovery and peace 🙏
Addiction affects people from every strata of society, you should think of it as a disease like cancer for yourself to imagine what this means. It's disrespectful to the lady who is sharing her story and helping others.
Have you ever heard of Anhedonia? Have you ever experienced Anhedonia? How long did it last? Please LEAVE a COMMENT and HELP OTHERS.
I have and I think I have it. I am not finding much information. I haven’t used in a year and I see a therapist and I am on Effexor, tramazapam, and mirtazipine. I can’t sleep either. Have you had any luck with it.
YES, I THOUGHT IT IS A PART OF DEPRESSION? AND NUMBNESS IS COMMON IS EARLY RECOVERY.. IT SUCKS ... ITS A PART OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER... AND MANY MENTAL ILLNESSES CROSS OVER INTO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTS LIVES... I REMEMBER IT IN MY FIRST YEAR OF SOBRIETY 29 YEARS AGO..I COULDNT FEEL ANYTHING... IT WAS SAD.... I DID FEEL SAD ALL THE TIME.. SUICIDAL TOO.....
Would you associate this with PAWS
post acute withdrawal symptoms
I feel anhedonia 3 months after quiting
How long dementia reversed in your husband's case? X
I'm just 15,and I suffer anhedonia while getting out of addiction by mobile games...and I can't tell it to my parents as I don't want them to worry much about me and panic.
This video was very helpful to me in my situation.....
Thanks a lot.
Hi Rahul - I'm so glad to know you found it helpful. I can tell you that you are not alone in this struggle. It is very common, among teens like yourself as well as adults. It's wonderful that you are taking the initiative to address it 😊
I drank for most of my life, but my 1 year alcohol free anniversary is just a couple weeks away. I quit Benzos 8 months ago as well. Anhedonia hit me hard within a week of quitting alcohol, and while it has mostly resolved, I am still experiencing it to some degree. Current events don't help for sure. I have to keep in mind that quitting was just the beginning of the recovery and healing process.
Mindfulness helps, don't put too much emphasis on how you feel. A lot of the feelings, or lack thereof, are your brain chemistry needing to recalibrate in the absence of whatever substance you were taking. Try not to fear it, relax, don't react, and let time pass.
Hi Ed! Almost one year. That's so awesome!! Nice to hear from you.
Thanks for sharing your experience and great advice for others. Stay safe 💜
@@DRKJFOSTER thanks KJ, you've been along for most of that year and your material has been invaluable
Thank you for saying that.. I've been having so much trouble with relapses because I keep asking myself "when will I feel normal enough to enjoy things again" that's why I love what you just said thank you for your message
@@Army1SGRetired how. R u now
@@sangeetalambh6389 still struggling, but I'm coming to the conclusion that it is more job burnout than PAWS. I was feeling generally better after the first year, but the last few months have been high pressure at work and have kept me worn down. How are you doing?
Anhedonia is real! I had no idea at 1st what was happening to me. I kept saying I felt "flat." This lasted about 7-8 months for me. I feel that I am experiencing it again with what is going on in the world and in a different country than loved ones and had a near relapse the other day. Exercise helps this SO MUCH!!
I'm so glad you are okay, Lauren! I'm not surprised to hear that you are experiencing Anhedonia again right now. It is also a common response to trauma (ptsd) and I believe that we are all experiencing trauma throughout the world, to some degree or another, in response to what is happening. Nice to hear from you. Stay well and be safe 💜
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you, KJ, I hope you are safe and well! Makes perfect sense regarding the trauma! I literally said I feel like I'm in withdrawls. I had access to an anxiety pill which I wasnt addicted to but have been off of for a year. I cried and debated and prayed for 12 hours before flushing it. I do hope your family is safe and thank you for this video!
I’ve been to treatment 3 times and this issue was never properly addressed. I know it lead to my relapses. I truly thought there was something wrong with me that I didn’t “feel” anything without alcohol. I did not know this can be a normal phase of recovery. 🙏🏼 you for showing up in my RUclips feed today. On another Day 1 and now I can prepare myself a bit better with this issue. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
So glad you have found it helpful!
i got it really really bad from quitting alcohol and severe major depression - getting out of a long term relationship. i drank since i was 13 til 35, heavy. got cirrhosis at age 34. when i try to reach out to ppl on the net who are suffering from anhedonia, it is really difficult. and i get it. theyll say i don't know what im talking about or just don't believe anything i say. i totally get how horrible it is. i still suffer from it but being social really helps. i use work as a tool for that and it helps me get through most of the day. it is way better than sitting at home feeling the emptiest empty. i switched career paths so i had to get some bs on paper before looking for work in another field. i went through all that shit quiet, stayed persistent. when i didnt have a job and did absolutely nothing, the anhedonia got me thinkin way too much about horrible things in my life and making me have suicidal ideations.
Glad you are on the path to recovery 🙏
Now more than ever I am sure people should be tuning in to this!
Thanks for watching 💜
6 months sober from weed to say the struggle to feel again is rough. I'm starting to feel again but I figure it still going to take another 6 months to fully recover. Pray, counseling, exercise, socialization, and a keto diet change does help but is not an instant fix. Those who are suffering in the early months of recovery dont give up it does get better, it just takes time!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Keith. Congrats on your six months 💜
Keto definitely helps
Did movies become not as immersive in the early days of anhedonia
Plus: did life feel "less immersive"; hence it not having a full punch in terms of feelings and reaction?
You can still feel anxiety tho can't you ? Lol
@@SuperSonic1116 simple answer yes. Weed makes it much worse. I have had a hard life and with that comes complex trauma / anxiety. Once you get sober you must deal with the issues that caused addiction.
I can't tell you how much hope this video has given me. Just knowing that things will get better helps so much!!!
Hi Roman! I'm so glad to know you found it helpful. Thanks for watching.
Almost 6 months clean and feeling bored at life but I won't give up hope
Hi Daisy! Congrats on the 6 months!! Keep going. I'm rooting for you. Sorry for the late response. I've been moving this week and just now catching up on my comments.
@@DRKJFOSTER thanks appreciate it!
My Gosh the first time someone ever explained what I am going through. i have a supportive wife, great kids and my home life is stable . I am a recovering alcoholic and I feel so numb everyday, I feel guilty because it seems like I'm being ungrateful for living. I'm a cancer survivor, and I was born missing my right hand, 47 years old and I feel my life is nowhere. I see myself going through the day just wasting time until I can go to sleep again. My mother abandoned me and my sisters but I have my wife and children. Thank you for this treatment you are giving all why watch this. I exercise so much much I overtrain because I have nothing else . I Trust God.
You are a true legend brother,keep your head up!
I'm glad you found the video helpful, David. Keep moving forward and keep trusting God. You're on the right path 😊
Thank you for just investing the time from your life to encourage me in the Lord, still going strong! God bless and Merry Christmas!
I'm just over 12 months clean from methamphetamine addiction, but now have an alcohol addiction. I feel flat and use alcohol to self medicate. I live alone and am struggling, thanks for for this information
I'm glad to know you found the video helpful. Give yourself time. Your brain hasn't been given enough of a chance to heal, especially with the alcohol use. You will ultimately feel so much better without it. Good luck to you, Paige.
Sending love. How are you now? ❤️
This is a phenomenal video on anhedonia. I am going throught this with kratom withdrawal and all of the mentioned suggestions are spot on! Thanks for a clear, concise and informative video on this topic!
Hi Richard! I'm sorry to hear you're going through withdrawals, but very happy to know you found this video helpful!! I hope it eases the suffering for you, even if it's just a little 🙌
Kratom is no joke man, for me rigorous exercise is a big factor in helping feel great again
It’s been three years for me, I tried to numb it down with alcohol, drugs, sex but it backfired but now I am slowly recovering first step is to maintain a routine, no overstimulation, better diet and workout. Also not expecting anything but just doing what I suppose to do and now I can see 1 percent improvement it’s not much but there is hope now
Thanks, vopz! That is some great advice.
Do you still feel the same? My partner is four years and it’s debilitating she feels like shes losing her mind.
Keep going. One thing you can’t do is give up and use again because it only takes longer. I felt sooo numb for months then little by little everyday felt better in some small way. With enough time, our miraculous body does what it does best. If we can manage to get addicted, we can also manage to get unaddicted. You have to trust the process. I try to imagine what I used to do as a kid and what things brought me small insignificant pleasures and it really helps. Your diet also needs to match, trying to detox and exercise even if it’s walking at the park. Everything you do is significant❤️ Wishing you all a full recovery.. god bless
I've suffered from severe depression my entire life secondary to childhood trauma. I started medicating with booze in my late, late 20s. I've struggled with alcohol my entire adult life. I almost died about nine months ago from alcohol. I went to NA for eight months and left because it was all too depressing and fake. I relapsed about three weeks ago and have been drinking ever since. The depression never leaves me.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I would suggest trying another program, such as LifeRing, SMART Recovery or Dharma. There are so many options available and you haven't been sober long enough to really experience all the benefits. Don't try harder, try different!!
I feel that this shitty plague has somewhat driven me into this emotional state. Had a panic attack a few weeks ago and still feeling on edge. I would not wish that awful exp on anyone. I hate whats happening to the world in the 2020s. Thanks for hearing me out.
Hi there - I can relate to how you feel. I know a lot of people are struggling because of the experience with the pandemic. Happy to listen. I hope you found the video helpful.
Me too man, I stopped watching the fake news, just check in for main updates and I'm gone. The rest is filler, Anxiety is horrible, I was feeling it so much I thought it would never go, but I'm also in recovery for alcohol. Just know that most of what's going on you cannot control, be good to yourself. Nopoiunt in worrying about things you cannot control, but you can control how you treat yourself, and caring for your health and needs. Love and understanding from here man, you'll beat this, I did and am still fighting!
The trouble with so-called "antidepressants" is that they can be extremely addictive. One does not CRAVE this type of pill or capsule, as one might crave a street drug; however withdrawal from depression drugs can be lengthy and brutal. One must take into account that coming off "antidepressants" can be just as grueling as coming off benzodiazepines.
It can be, yes. But that is why being under a dr supervision is so important because if you just abruptly stop anti-depressants you will experience significant withdrawal. Weaning is typically necessary. Thanks for sharing and I apologize it has taken me so long to respond. I am just seeing your comment.
Just hit the 1 month mark off being sober from weed. Even though it makes me proud, the anhedonia has been hitting me hard for like a week now. Feeling really unmotivated and just can't seem to enjoy the things I enjoyed before. I know it's just temporarily and learning about anhedonia trough these type of videos is really helpful! So thank you for that. I'm planning on calling a clinic this friday that is nearby me to either join a support group or to find someone I can talk to like once a week. I'm gonna push trough even though it really sucks at this time. But it is also a good reminder that my brain is healing from the addiction. We got this! 💪
Hi Rene - Congrats on your one month sober from weed!! That's wonderful and I hope you were able to find a support group, as I think it will help you a great deal. YOU got this!!
@@DRKJFOSTER thank you for responding, that means a lot! I have been on the verge of relapsing but I choose my new and better social life over my addiction so i'm still sober 😁. Did not made an appointment yet with the clinic but still planning on doing so. Thanks again!
@@swedd013 hey mate how you are doing? I am on day 43 and feel no energy / no sex drive even my balls are basically empty without even jerking of for days... Mood and anxiety is baaad
How r u feeling now bro?
@hvz007 Hello mate. Well I did quit for like 3 months back then only to fall for the trap again. I was allowed to quit work early that day, and for some reason, my brain associated that with smoking weed. And I thought to myself that smoking for that day only wouldn't hurt. Enden up smoking evreyday again for like a year+. Now i'm sober again since 7 days. And i'm very happy that i've made that decision again. I think you need to fail a few times in order to recognize the triggers and the traps I guess. I also realize that this time, I need to break loose from the people that still smoke on a daily basis. Which is hard cause some of those people I have known for over 15 years. But I do believe that once i've quit long enough, I automatically start to attract people who also live a more sober lifestyle. If you have any questions or just want to talk about it, feel free to do so!
1 year sober from alkohol (with PAWS) and still anhedonia! This is a big thing! I am trying now AD and i hope that AD will help me a little for my second year! I wish everybody smooth recovery!
Wishing you a smooth recovery as well, Asen.
As someone, who has dealt and is currently dealing with this. This was very well thought out and delivered outstandingly. I myself am a Neuroscientist by trade, also I take 5 HTP, L-TYROSINE, which are basic supplements in any CVS, Walgreens...etc. This has helped TREMENDOUSLY!!!! In my opinion. This is the BIGGEST cause for relapse. Even though I know my brain is "LYING" to me, to tell me to use, I KNOW I cannot and will not! Thank you for your time and your videos. They are TOP NOTCH 👏👌
Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you are finding the videos to be helpful.
Those have also helped me tremendously
Can L-tyrosine be taken with Ssri? Ty
Thank you so much for this video. I am one month out from quitting opioids for pain mgt but before that I abused alcohol for many years. I am experiencing significant anhedonia now that I am completely sober. It's really scary to feel like this. Nothing inspires or interests me and my mood is low. It's like the whole universe is askew. I want to cry sometimes but no tears will come. I understand this should improve but I have to be patient and respect that my poor little brain has been through a lot and needs to heal. And yet I'm still so afraid it won't get better:(
Yes, Mindy. You are exactly right. Your brain has been through a lot and needs time to heal. Be gentle with yourself.
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you💗
It took me 4 years to feel normal again. Wow I didn't think I would but when you get over this phase it's incredible! I had anhedonia for 4 years straight after drinking . I think it took to long because I relapsed 3 months into it.
Glad you made it through to the other side 🥰
@@DRKJFOSTER Hi, I came off weed 3 months ago. Didn’t know that my depression was due to not smoking . So I got into antidepressants for a week before realizing about this “anhedonia” side effect. So I stopped the antidepressants after a week. My question is, does taking antidepressants for a week change my recovery process? Even if it was for a week? Also I haven’t been sleeping AT ALL !
Like I only sleep for 2-3 hours at night. Making it harder for my brain to recover.
Thank you !
What caused anhedonia?
@@cvt90show are you now
A lot of great information on here! Addiction is so difficult to go through and watch others go through. Great video and keep up the great work!
Thanks, Ryan. Appreciate you checking it out!
I was on caffeine for 30+ years and I quit cold turkey 23 months ago, and I have had PAWS from this underestimated drug. I’m a lot better, but this happens and it’s real and I can’t wait to be on the other side 💯. Your videos helped me in the beginning of my withdrawal… thank you.
Hi again! Thanks, Mandy. Caffeine is a tricky one, just like sugar. A little can actually help reduce cravings, but too much will make it significantly worse.
I feel really bad for those that suffer from this without any substance abuse involved. when they just have it and no drug caused it. My Anhedonia was caused from being on suboxone for over 10 years.
I'm so sorry to hear that you had to go through that. I hope it has resolved for you? There are many different issues and illnesses that can cause anhedonia, not just drug use. I feel sorry for anyone who has to go through this. Thanks for sharing your experience.
The most positive thing I have to say about Anhedonia is that it does pass. It may take a seemingly impossible length of time to happen, but it does. The brain can heal, if you treat it right.
Yes, it doe! And the brain does heal!!
I used amphetamines, lsd and weed for a year and I'm experiencing this right now. It sucks but I've started going to the gym and it's a life saver! I'm gonna make this!
The gym (exercise) is great because it actually builds back brain cells!! Keep going, you've got this!!
How fo you feel now?
@@banke8480 I'm feeling a bit better. I got prescribed wellbutrin which helps with the dopamine levels a little. I'm also trying to be kinder to myself and taking things slowly. Like if I only feel like watching tv some days I'm totally fine with it. I've been through some traumatic things and it's okay to take some time off. I know things will only get better from here :)
@@BlueMoon-qv6tm stay strong brother
Going on 85 days, working with a sponsor. It seems life can be depressing without the drink. When I was drinking I had a lot of anxiety,and anxiousness.
It gets better. Keep going!!
Addiction AND Depression are two diseases that go hand in hand. A truly brutal combo. Solutions are near impossible to find because prolonged drug use can create permanent alterations to one's brain chemistry. It's a SUFFOCATING state of mind that seems like a hopeless endeavor when faced with the struggle day in and day out!😥
True 💯about the addiction depression combo. And, yes, it does seem hopeless in the beginning, but the brain does heal. It just takes time and most people want quicker, more immediate results, and it just doesn't work that way.
Antidepressants cause anhedonia in a lot of people, especially SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.
That's only in "healthy" people. By rising serotonin levels in brain, they drop dopamine, which might cause anhedonia. But it should pass once you get off of them.If you already have anhedonia, antidepressants probably won't change much with it. Possibility of anhedonia is not the only problem with antidepressants, but if you're suicidal or about to turn back to addiction, they're obviously better than either of those two.
where are your sources for claiming that anti depressants cause anhedonia?
@@PuerRidcully no, it doesn't always resolve when you get off the med.
@@mcb00 I know.
Anhedonia combined with depression is a killer combo. You either feel awful or nothing at all. I;d genuinely rather have depression without anhedonia than anhedonia without depression. At least there will be good days. Now there are bad days and meh days, but never good ones.
The good news, is that it does eventually get better 🤲
I have no desire to do shit. I get on the phone with someone and it’s like I’m brain dead. Literally gonna go crazy while typing this.
It's been years for me and i am just starting to get better.
So glad you are starting to feel better 🙌
I'm experiencing after coming off a medly of psychiatric medications and an alcohol problem for years of which I decided to come off over a year ago. I have very little to no interest in anything I used to be passionate 12 months into complete abstinence now and the Anhedonia still persists. It's a slow process but I'm adiment to do this unmedicated, medication and the side effects are the reason I ended up on so much medication and using alcohol to self medicate along the way.
I hope you found it helpful. Appreciate you sharing your experience. I apologize for the late response. I'm just seeing your comment now.
I've been a drinker most of my life including childhood. I have also had a pretty active abuse of drugs once I became an adult. Until attempting to quit drinking just before covid I drank until I had seizures. Still I continued to drink because I didn't want to quit and didn't care- depressed and addicted. Around early 2020 I guess I hit " rock bottom " but had already been there for very long. 2 years of withdrawal seizures and continued to drink. Couldn't keep a job. Breaking my ribs. Very bad. One day I decided I would try to quit. Afraid of the slingshot relapse, I gave myself a drink day every 1-2 weeks. I fell back into drinking, like heavily for 3 days straight. People who aren't hard-core alcoholic cannot imagine how much it really is. Eventually I got myself under control, still once every few months. However I'm so depressed. No interest in the things I love. No pleasure when I do them. Flat lined. Pessimistic and still am. My times off the wagon usually end badly but it breaks up this monotony. I know its wrong but I can feel a binge coming up but I don't care. I'm so bored and it's the only time I feel anything. Aside from not having seizures, things haven't felt any better. Almost worse. I see how fucked up everything actually is. Like, if life sucks just as much or more being sober, I'd rather be drunk.
Hi Chris - I can totally identify with what you are describing. My first 14 months of sobriety were the worst of my life. They totally sucked in every way possible. A complete avalanche of consequences and feeling hopeless. But it did start to shift and when it did start to shift, it got progressively better. I got better, my ability to handle stress got better and I was able to finally achieve a sense of peace within myself. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to heal the brain and during that time there is a lot of symptoms like anhedonia and feelings of hopelessness that come and go. I'm sharing this because I also want you to know that it DOES eventually get better and that all the pain I experienced was WORTH IT to get where I am today. I would suggest, if you haven't already, to get involved with some kind of support group and start to develop relationships with others who have achieved sobriety. It really does make a difference to be surrounded by recovery strength. The lie is that is hard to push through is that life sucks sober. Does life suck for awhile? Sometimes a long while? Yup!! But it DOES get better and when it does it's SO MUCH BETTER. I have a peace within myself that I never had before, even before I struggled with my addiction. Please don't give up on yourself 🙏
@@DRKJFOSTER thank you so much!
Be a winner not a quitter. Winners never quit! Man up don't be a pussy! Play some sports ride a bike. DO some art pick it up an instrument. Grow dude!
@@DRKJFOSTER which addiction u quit
@@andyokus5735
Seriously dude??
I have had anhedonia for 3 years from opioid use. I started using then when i was like 19 and stopped when i was 23. Mainly bubrenorphine, sometimes oxycodone. And stimulants here and there. I just think i have permanently damaged my normal dopamine functioning and stuff. I excercise 4 times a week, try to eat good food even thought i just do not feel like doing any of those things. This just sucks man. So i have not used for 3 years. Still strong cravings, suicidal thoughts sometimes, nothing gives me joy anymore.. I am worried if this continues for the rest of my life. I excercise regularly, cardio, gym and i am in a good shape. I still do not get enjoyment from lifting weights and that was my favourite thing before my addiction..
Firstly that's so awesome that you have not used for three years. Don't give up hope-things can get better. Sending positive vibes.
Don’t give in , try to find something new that excites you and get you happy , hang in there , send you lots of good vibes ✨
Hi Miika! I'm so sorry, but I am just seeing this comment. I don't know why? But I want to say I agree with Riddlemewalker that it is awesome that you have not used for three years and should not give up home that things will ultimately get better as your body and brain continue to heal. I hope you are still going strong in your recovery process.
Im so glad i found your comment. Similar situation. Its been four years. How do you feel now?
What caused anhedonia?
O thank goodness. I’m on day 12 (again) of sobriety. I was starting to think “THIS is my ‘reward’ for not drinking??? What’s the point?? If signing up for a joyless life is what I’m doing then I’d rather bring the booze back…” But I really don’t want the booze back !!! Knowing that this will go away is SO relieving
I am in the process of recovering from an exercise addiction. 19 years of doing this and now I'm trying to adjust. It's very difficult. Today is just one of many where I cry uncontrollably in the car because if I go home and no one's there I'm tempted. I don't know how to be happy at home..... wooohsah
Hi Shawn - Any addiction, no matter what it is, is a difficult pattern to break. It also comes with a lot of pain and other difficult emotions. You are definitely not alone in your experience or the feelings you are dealing with. You will be happy at home, it's just going to take time. Time, like you said, "to adjust." Be gentle with yourself and know that I'm here rooting for you 🙌
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you for responding. It's very lonely when you deal with a not so common addiction. Finding ppl who can understand or even have empathy can make the recovery process rough. Thanks again!😊
Shawn - Here is a link to an article you may find interesting and/or helpful...
www.healthline.com/health/fitness/how-to-rebuild-a-healthy-relationship-with-fitness
New sub. This is hell. TY for covering it. In the process of withdrawals to get clean. I often wonder will I ever feel normal again.😢
You will! Just hang in there and keep moving forward.
I suffered from something that I do not know what it is called. That thing is lack of feeling. I am not interested anymore in anything. When I made a simple search, I understood that I suffer from Anhedonia.
I have not ever used drugs, and they are illegal in my home country. However, I must find the solution.
Yes, it sounds like Anhedonia Mohammed.
@@IMN14_heyy do u find the solution!!
I didn't technically abuse a substance, but rather was given a drug (prescription [for me]) for a "moderate depressive episode"; two SSRIs for three weeks, relitivly high-entry doses.
But I had a seizure on week 3, then the "blah" was visible the next morning (right after it I felt that a part of me was gone, something just vanished) . After the seizure I couldn't enjoy a thing, things I liked were dramatically blunted, I was like "Here, feel liking/excitement/wow", but as if the part in my head responsible for registering the visual signal & signalling a "reward" singal for it (to allow feeling if excitement/enjoyment).
It had me feeling detached from life whilst me not being able to recognize myself in the mirror, it was weird, it had me to go back and forth with "adapting to the new norm".
I've read in reddit some people's experiences about anhedonia; and some noted to MAOIs having the ability of improving the symptoms of anhedonia.
It's very strange for me; like nothing is immersive as it used to be before.
EDIT: I was normal before the seizure, just an "overwhelmed" 21 y/o about something. I felt the place of the "seizure" it was high frequency pulsations of utter pain & convulsions whilst fully aware. It was going up, starting most likely in the area of the midbrain, then going behind my forehead. At least that was were I felt it. I'm reading about TMS, maybe it could fix my head
Thanks for sharing your experience 💜
It's weird that they gave you a three-week SSRI prescription. Sometimes it takes people that long to feel the full effect of SSRIs, and you could have withdrawal effects. Sorry that happened to you.
Have you been evaluated for epilepsy? There is a link between epilepsy and depression. Getting a diagnosis (if you do have epilepsy) could open up potential treatments like TMS.
I have a friend with epilepsy & depression and he would definitely get long-term brain fog, anhedonia, and other weird mental effects after a seizure. Eventually he was treated with surgery and although he still struggles with depression, it makes a big difference to be more stable and not have to worry about seizures.
@@Jokaanan I spoke to a man who dealt with natural remedies and he said he saw a connection with vitamin E deficiency in every person who has seizures. Could be worth a shot. Try have a handful of almonds every day. Can blend them up, then add water, a banana and whatever other fruit you like or just leave it as only the banana and then re-blend. The blended up almonds with water create almond milk. Other high vitamin E foods are avocado, sunflower seeds, spinach. A yum way to eat spinach is chopped tomato, coriander (can be ground if no leaves), spinach, lemon juice, salt, and a tiny bit of crushed garlic. Mix in a bowl and leave for 10 mins to cook in the salt and lemon. Tastes really delicious. Lol I'm gonna stop now cause I'm writing a recipe book here.
@@deannatroy8113 Great advice! I have been working on healthy eating and I am going to try your spinach recipe, it sounds so good!
@@Jokaanan Oh good!! It's very delicious when the proportions are correct. Raw vegetables have far more nutrients then cooked over the stove. They satisfy the body more, and give more energy. From scratch is always much better for us and more delicious then using packaged food. Table salt is extremely bad for us, but sea salt is incredibly healthy. The blue sea salt is made from polluted water from France, and the pink Himalayan salt is made from petrified meat. Plain sea salt is best. There are parts of Australia that require a person to eat a stick of salt every few hours or they will die. My father had to when working up north. True salt also decalcifies the body.
It's easy to make from scratch... for example, a vegetable cube can be replaced by blending up and onion, carrot, celery, mushroom, bit of lemon peal etc; whatever you like, and pouring the whole lot into the meal, soup or gravy etc. Lots more nutrients and more filling too.
Another good way to have spinach is with a pesto: blend up any leaf, such as mint, basil, coriander, nettle (or only use some, or add them all), and then add a bit of spinach. Then add a tiny bit of garlic, about 1/2 cup of good/fresh olive oil, bit of salt. Then can stir in any toasted or roasted nut or sunflower seeds. Can add lemon juice if you like. If you have the salt and garlic proportions correct, it can taste amazing!
The pesto can be used on anything and it's still delicious. Can put it on plain rice, or pasta, or baked potatoes. It goes well with the tomato dish I mentioned before on the side.
3 days in and al of this just seems annoying and like to much work but I appreciate you
Congrats on 3 days. And, yes, at 3 days it is going to seem very overwhelming. And the truth is that It is a lot of work, which is why many people give up. The thing is... it's SO worth it when you gain that freedom.
This is so hard and real support is hard to find…I’ve tried everything. I just have to tough this out. 😢
Yes, unfortunately all of that is true. But you CAN do it!! Keep going...
Hey how you doing???
I’m going thru this. Took antidepressants for a week(but stopped) before I realized that my depression came from quitting weed. Now I just can’t sleep, at all. For 3 months ….
@@cvt90s Been sober for 9 months & it’s just now getting a little better
@@lcmarina hi how are you feeling now?
Thanks.. im nine months in and was terrified this state was a life sentence.
Oh my gosh, no! It's true freedom. Just keep going and you'll see. Congratulations, Rachel 🎉
I have been a heavy abuser of drugs and alcohol most of my life. The first 20 years of abuse was alcohol, illegal drugs of all kinds except for meth and drugs that require needles to use. I finally quit all that but a year later i injured my back on the job. The doctor prescribed painkillers and muscle relaxers... Huge mistake. Soon after benzos were added because of anxiety. It didn't take long before the pills doubled, trippled and so forth. For almost 20 years i have battled with prescription med abuse. Getting clean off illegal drugs and alcohol was nothing compared to the pain of detoxing of prescription meds. Once i got past the 3 week hell of physical withdraw then came the mental withdraw. Sill battling that 9 months later.
I'm so sorry to hear of your suffering. I am, however, glad to hear that you are on your way out of that hole. I understand you are still battling at 9 months, but it does eventually get better. Hang in there, it's worth it.
Hi Dr. KJ Foster, thank you for sharing. I have been a chronic marijuana user since 4 years and very extreme in last 1 year, I am 30 years old. I have quit since 2 months as I experienced an embarrassing incident of ED. I have no libido and feeling anxiety since then being a young man. I am wondering if my intense use is ever going to normalize my dopamine and reward centers? I feel I am experiencing other symptoms that you described as well but haven’t used any other drugs except alcohol occasionally. Just hoping for a recovery time and low libido is part of this process? Thank you so much for being here.
I was up to 4-5 joints a day And what I really felt killed it was oil and high thc vapes. I quit 2 months and no other drugs used ever but just concerned if my quantities stretched me beyond recovery point? Would really appreciate your answer as support.
I don't believe anyone is ever beyond recovery point.
@@blogcareers6717 how r u now
Everything in your brain is based on the genetic code that remains protected in your cell nuclei, so your brain WILL heal itself with time and sobriety. Even most people with TBIs recover in the long-term so you definitely can.
So I’ve been addicted for like 12 years with 4 months being my longest time of recovery and now I’m attempting sobriety again I have 51 days and the inability to feel pleasure or pain is so unbearable I feel trapped and tortured. I do not want to touch alcohol again I drank sun up to sun down and developed many health problems as a result too. It doesn’t work for me at all. I can’t work if I’m in addiciton either. But I’m gonna ask my doctor about anhedonia.
I take Prozac and I was thinking it was the medication making me feel blah and feel completely numb to anything positive or negative but maybe I need more medication bc I tried ti stop taking the Prozac and the anhedonia got even worse.
This is terrible please pray for me
How are you doing now?
@@KatRoyalOfficial I have 7 1/2 months sober now I got sober again 7/3/22 and I still struggle with anhedonia sometimes. Thanks for asking
@@katharineanonymous6992 Thisbis SO good to hear. My significant other is currently in the wall phase. It’s hard. I’ve never used at all in my life so it’s impossible for me to understand what he’s going through. That 1 year mark is just around the corner for you. Keep on doing what you’re doing. Comments like yours give me hope for him.
Around the 6 months before the anhedonia went away for your son, what are the things that he did during that period?
Hi Brian - He exercised and got back into doing the things he used to enjoy, even though it didn't feel the same for awhile.
I just stopped weed for 10 days and i feel adheonia and i just smoked 2 joints a day for 2 months. Need some advices because it is hard.
Never touched anything before, i was an athlete and now even my motivation is gone and i did sport all my Life.
The anhedonia is normal. It's going to take awhile for your brain to heal. I would suggest finding a support group to help you through the cravings and PAWs.
thank you very much for this great video!
Glad it was helpful!
I am only 14 years old & I loved shopping...but now I can't find any happiness in my favourite things like shopping , study and many other things...the joy is completely missing from my life ...I can't sleep even ..what to do ?
I would suggest seeking guidance from adult who you trust.
Does that length of time just apply to drug abuse or does it also to other addictions such as food addiction?
It varies depending on type of addiction and length of addiction.
Thank you so much for this ❤️
You're welcome. Hope it was helpful.
what is with smoking tobacco while in recovery? Will it disrupt the regeneration from anhedonia?
Hi Max - I am not familiar with the impact of smoking on anhedonia. Sorry :-(
Can i cure anhedonia permanently???and how??
I am 16 mos free of a 30+ yr addiction to amphetamines. I'm still in a dark hole and tempted to just throw in the towel.
And I am doing most of your recommendations 🤗
Congratulations on having the courage to make a healthier lifestyle choice for yourself. Unfortunately, amphetamines (especially after 30+ years of use) have a difficult post-actue withdrawal and it takes much more time for the brain to heal. The good news is that if you just keep moving forward and don't give up, you'll never have to go through this again! Keep going!! You CAN do this!!!
@@DRKJFOSTER 🙏 Thank you dear!
I haven’t used marijuana for a year and still can’t feel anything, and I can’t sleep. Is there hope.
There is always hope! My son knows of others where it took over a year.
Keep going Angela! You're on a good path. I understand where you are right now. Very relatable
Been a weed user since i was 15 im now 32 smoked every day heavily im 3 weeks into recovery and suffering from anhedonia. Can you recover without medication if so what sort of timeline before i feel normal .
Hi Steven - Congratulations on your 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a timeline. There is so much that contributes to how long it will take someone to go through PAWS which is not just based on amount and frequency of use but also health history. Keep going and your brain and body will eventually heal.
Hi dr please can you help, is it common to think that you're permanently damaged and will never be able to live a normal life? I've been in PAWS with anhedonia for 2 years now after my first attempt to quit. I'm now 5 months clean and still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Beginning to convince myself I have a horrible neurological problem instead. Is this pessimistic thought pattern common?
Yes, yes and yes. Everything you are describing is common. I'm confused by your timeline. You say you have PAWS with anhedonia for 2 years but you are 5 months clean. When you go back to using, you lose any gains your brain has achieved in healing. I think I mentioned in my video that my son experienced anhedonia for about 6 months, but also knows people who have experienced longer. The good news is that you will get through it, but you also need help. Having a support group will help you get through it and help pull you out of that negative mindset. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Sorry for the delayed response. I just came across your comment today.
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you so much for your response and videos, really appreciate it! As for the timeline, I entered PAWS when I first quit 2 years ago and went back to using to try and get rid of it because I was so uncomfortable and unaware of PAWS at the time. The symptoms continued and it took me longer than it should off to realise what was going on, leading to me quitting for good only 5 months ago!
I'm 7 months sober !!! Feeling really flat and unable to really enjoy life !! Sleep is still poor with many interruptions most nights !!! Will not relapse from this new way but it is difficult !!! Hoping that when i get past my first year things will improve !! Best of luck to you ,hang in there !x
I’m a week sober, experienced this feeling but due to what I’d describe as self assigned stress, this feeling of nothing was a sort of welcomed change in the short term...it actually reminded me of when I was on antidepressants. I felt depressed, but I wasn’t depressed, if that makes sense. That was the only word I could think to describe it, So when I searched depression after quitting drinking that’s when I learned about anhedonia.
This is the longest I’ve been sober in a long time, I’m having trouble finding online AA or meetings, are there any suggestions I could look for?
Congrats on your week sober!! Here is a video for your to watch that gives you information about all the different alternatives to 12-Step Recovery. Not sure if you're looking for that or trying to find AA in your area. Also, I have daily recovery support meetings and you are welcome to attend those. Here is the link to the video...
ruclips.net/video/gEiWGqjJTZs/видео.html
@@DRKJFOSTER thank you! I’m not even sure what’s out there so this was helpful just thought anythings better than being alone
Not sure if you'll see this Dr. KJFOSTER, but I had a decent amount of mdma, benzo, and alcohol abuse I'm 37 days sober and anhedonia is what I experience daily it seems. I've been using nicotine to help cope but nicotine induces dopamine aswell, would nicotine use slow the process of my brain healing and coming back to feeling anything?
Good question, Maio. I'm not a medical doctor, so I could not answer that question. It may be the case. I can tell you that I smoked cigarettes for the first year of my sobriety and I had significant PAWS, so it may very well be the case. That said, this is something that I can't really speak to with any real confidence. I'm going to check with a psychiatrist I know and find out what he says. I can tell you that there are so many factors that come into play when it comes to PAWS that it is so hard to give any real advice (for anyone) without having a full assessment of your personal health history. I do know that because of the benzo use, you can expect that your PAWS will be challenging, but what I remind people is that once you go through it, you never have to go through it again. Much luck to you and congrats on your 37 days!
I am no expert but let's say as a 'peer support' here is my 2 cents. Everytime I stop smoking weed, I find myself smoking raw swishers which is frankly disgusting. The strategy is since I hate swishers it will act as a 'crutch' and gradually I will stop that too.
But frankly, that just opens door to relapse. As mind plays trick "why smoke such a harsh substance when you can smoke weed?". So I would say to abstain from nicotine and to cut the head off as early as possible lest it rears its ugly head. Having relapses again and again, here are some takeaways:
-addiction needs to be replaced (again I have no idea about benzo, mdma or alcohol)
-neuroscience plays a role (for me the craving comes 2 times a day and ALWAYS after coffee... so that's my trigger)
-changing environment or even address, rearranging house, drastically changing habits or trying new hobbies which produces dopamine (as routine is enemy of sobriety)
Hope it helps. Again I am no expert. But if you takeaway anything please don't replace one addiction with another which might sneak up to you.
I also found epsom salt bath very soothing. (Then again my addiciton was weed so it is relatively 'benign').
Maio how r u now.my frd
I found that i was severely addicted to pornography and once i decided to stop i got a strong panic attack and then depersonalization derealization.
Now i feel anhedonia too much it's like there is a switch inside your brain that when it comes to feel something it blocked my emotions, i can feel that switch for real in the core of my brain plus my forehead is burning , dizziness so much hard to focus and i am like garbage bag , useless, i don't have a motivation to even talk or think , if i tried to think which is so normal activity i found it so much hard and thinking make pain in my head .
I feel also tremble and muscle pain.
But now it's my day 73 with 1 relapse and from time to time I feek i want back to my addiction pattern .
Is this a withdrawal symptoms? And dopamine deficiency?
Hi there - sorry to hear you are suffering. Yes, it sounds very much like post-acute withdrawal symptoms to me.
@Alkhashab A I'm also suffering from same...have u found any cure on it?
I relate too this is scary man way you described it and also the depersonalization wasn’t familiar with that. No motivation to talk sheesh. You go inside yourself for too long and it’s like there’s no coming out.
Time heals though this happened me once or twice before. Just scary in the moment.
We cant keep fucking with our brain chemistry
Im clean from opiates then Suboxone and a lot of Xanax. It's been 2 years clean and it's hard very hard to stay sober because I have anhedonia. I just want to feel happiness be excited about something and I'm just blah! I'm wondering if it will ever go away. Life feels not worth living
Hi Angela! Yes, it will go away!! It just takes time. Please hand in there and know that what you are feeling is normal, but it takes time to get out of the woods. You WILL get there though, just keep going 💪🥰
@@DRKJFOSTER thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. And I learned what anhedonia was from you. It was a relief to hear that it had a name and what's normal. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process!?
Life isn't Fun when You don't have enough Family and Friend support! Especially when You've had a very messed up Family background and a social anxiety youth. I have Anhedonia in My primary health clinic diagnosis but does not seem to be included in My Counseling clinic records. As for My primary health clinic I think it's based on lacking interest in partner sex!
This explains everything I’m going through, and am still going through 6 months into sobriety, thank you ❤️
can I ask which specific anti depressant helped your anhedonia? I know some are more effective than others in addressing anhedonia...so just wondered which one helped you, out of interest. thanks
Hi Steve - sorry for the late reply. I did not take anti-depressants for anhedonia. My son, who had significant anhedonia for 6 months, did not take anti-depressants either.
Definitely look into Wellbutrin, its the only antidepressant that gives you energy and motivation (works on dopamine)
Deep parasympathetic shutdown response, check out poly vegal theory, I believe it's a trauma response. I've been stuck for 4 years.
Thanks you, Cheryl. I'll definitely check it out. Appreciate you sharing the info.
Its been four years what then if you feel like this?
Thanks
You're welcome 💜
Does this come with a sense of being dissociated almost like brain fog
Sometimes it does.
Being clean and sober has never helped, in fact, it , anhedonia, feels worse
Unfortunately, it often has to get worse before it gets better.
I am recovering from a Tv show and I am feeling very sad all time & my sleep is gone
Yes, there are many behaviors that can become addicting and the withdrawal symptoms often include sadness.
Maam.. Thanku so much for the vdo.. But i want to ask that ive lost interest in music.. But i was alltime music freak.. Maam can u tell me.. That wud it go away?
I had anxiety first and suddenly i started hating music... Is it gonna b permanent?.... Idont want it to be permanent... I liked music all the time... Now i hate it the most.. 😢
Hi Harhsita - Yes, this sounds like classic anhedonia. I can't tell you how long it will take to go away since there are so many factors that come into play relative to duration of symptoms, but what I can tell you is that it WILL eventually go away and you'll be back to enjoying music again.
@@DRKJFOSTER maam thankyou so much... For replying... Its so kind of u that you replied..i Wish that this classic anhedonia ends soon✨
@@DRKJFOSTER and god bless you... May u never suffer from any kinda mental disorder... And u live the best feelings of this universe ✨
@@graciousgurl8768 How are you now ?
Even if i stay my whole life like this,it's better than to be on drugs and alcohol.
💯
@@DRKJFOSTER it got better really.my memory is kind of getting better
Wrong lol
@@mattcook8930 yeah i know son,i was fucked then lol
@@banke8480 hopefully you're doing better man! Going through it myself now lol
I am at a year plus of experiencing a Adonis after coming off 22 years of opiates
Makes sense considering the length of time you used opiates.
You can start to feel better after a month by using epigenetics for brain stability. Specifically acetyl-l-carnitine and other things
Yes, thank you for sharing!
Everyone look into Julia Ross the mood cure , bpc 157 peptides and ALCAR supplements . Tremendous benefits , also diet is super super key and no caffeine !
5 months weed clean anhedonia is getting worse I don’t feel any pleasure I don’t get excited my bday tomorrow I don’t feel like doing anything but sleep I cancels plans with family and they just don’t care about me
Unfortunately, it often has to get worse before it gets better.
Antidepressants lead me to drinking. Every. Single. Time. I’ve tried a bunch of them
You are not alone. I've heard this from others as well.
I was a competive bodybuilder I started abusing cocaine and MDMA very heavily like heavily I should've overdosed for over a year . I've been clean over 6 months and I can't even get too the gym I want too sleep all day and I contemplate suicide daily. How long will this last did I destroy my brain . I loved working out it was my whole life now I can't even get out of bed
Hi Jon - It's hard to say how long it will last because there are so many variables, but your brain does heal and working out is one of the best ways to regenerate brain cells - just without the drugs, of course :) I hope you are seeing someone about the depression and suicidal thoughts. This should be addressed, for sure!
Jon I just want to say I feel your pain. Mine is alcohol and cigarettes. I only want to be in bed. I just can’t live like this. I feel that I lost connection with everything real.
6 months? Oh boy I'm screwed
No, Jules... you can do this!! If my son did it, and he has, you can do it too!! You really just have to focus on today and keep going 💪👌🙏
@@DRKJFOSTER Thank your for the encouragement. I'm still in the early days (4 days now). I guess I just need to be patient and as you said go day by day!
What are your social media URL's?
They are all in the about section.
@@DRKJFOSTER they are not in your About section. There is a linktree icon as one of the options in your About section, however, the Instagram link says ' page not found ' and the Facebook link is to a personal page that has no photos, posts or any related information. I am mentioning this to you with the hope that you correct those errors.
@@robhasenwinkle I will. Thank you for letting me know!
@@kjandtonylovefrance thanks for this video, I can definitely relate to anhedonia and I have many experiences of anhedonia while in recovery from substance addiction as well as recovery from trauma. I used to call that lack of motivation, pleasure and lack of vitality " malaise " but I am taking time to see that I may have also had anhedonia. It was not necessarily always in early recovery that I experienced those feelings, sometimes I still have those feelings at 4 years and 4 months abstinent. I think it's part of my healing and part of the non-linear journey to continual wellness, which I have confidence and faith I will achieve!
SSRI anti depression meds help like no other to help this feeling stop MUCH faster
Yes, I agree that it is very helpful for many people. Thanks for watching.
What happens when you stop ssri's
They cause anhedonia too. Not for everyone.
Def did not for me at all
ughhhh im so fucked
Oh no, Sam! You're really not, in the end.
I'd rather die then go through that at 68 what is the point of it all. I'm gone but it would be good for young people to know. I have suffered with this for the last 30 years. That's why this lady is not for me. Sorry lady, I don't have that much time. I'm so sad that I got unto you. 😅kill me now
Nice teeth, no tattoos, expensive diamond wedding ring, have a nice home, education, none of this says x addict, not buying, what your selling.
Your perception of people who struggle with addiction issues is clearly very limited, which only feeds into the shame that makes it harder for those who suffer. And I'm not selling you anything. Take it or leave it. Don't like what you're hearing, go somewhere else. God bless you... you know not what you say. I pray you may find recovery and peace 🙏
Addiction affects people from every strata of society, you should think of it as a disease like cancer for yourself to imagine what this means. It's disrespectful to the lady who is sharing her story and helping others.
😂😂😂
Discontinued off of effexor caused my anhedonia.