Anhedonia Talkback Part Three

In previous posts I reviewed the nature of anhedonia and strategies for coping with it. These posts attracted a number of comments and questions, and I have created a set of videos to offer my replies and commentary. This is the third in the series.
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#anhedonia

[@Pacifica74]

I've watched a number of videos, and I chalk it up to saying being an adult is just plain boring, and that's the way it is. When you're young, every experience is brand spanking new and awe inspiring. Recovering that feeling is something miraculous.

[@RandyPaterson]

I think that adulthood can be boring, but isn't for most people. Anhedonia is a difficult problem to deal with, and it can come about for any number of reasons. But I think that the general disdain of adulthood is one factor that can contribute. The thing about adulthood is that it's our turn to drive the vehicle of our own life. The vehicle comes with a steering wheel, and at least one hand needs to be on it.

[@crankwalk3r]

I enjoyed all your videos on anhedonia. I found them extremely valuable especially the second talkback video when you mentioned using values and convictions as an alternative guidance system for behavior. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for posting these videos!

[@aprilmacmillan4079]

I have recently been listening to you videos on anhedonia. I have had this condition for a very long time, but didn't know what it was called. I've been seeing a Therapist for almost two years (talk therapy), I know it's a long process, but don't know if it's realy helping. I have also been on Lexapro for years, but nothing has really seemed to help. I started Lexapro (name brand) when going through menopause and it seemed to help alot, but when I went on Medicare I had to switch to the generic, it doesn't work nearly as well. I am working with a psychiatrist, but not sure if medication is the answer. Anyway, I appreciate your honesty in these videos. I am trying baby steps and hoping it will help. So many more details I could write but will spare you the explanations.

[@damoncarreon8227]

I have absolutely zero motivation to do anything, and in fact lately I’ve been trying to literally avoid doing things because I know that emptiness I feel during and afterward. I feel like something needs to mix up my life, good or bad, I just need something to happen. I have a tinkering kind of DIY mindset, so I don’t take ANY help from others easily. Nobody in my family seems to understand (not like I’d ever let them help even if they did understand), I just sound weird and self destructive to them. I want to get through this myself, but I can’t find anything worth anything to do anymore. My kids are suffering watching me crumble which in turn makes this whole thing even more painful for me. I feel terrible for my kids, but I STILL can’t move. I don’t know if any of this makes sense anymore, and I have now lost all interest in this comment. I’m fighting everything in me to not delete this and just press send.

[@thelammas8283]

Anhedonia rhymes with rambling 😂. I know how you feel. Well done, you sent it.

[@matthewdavis3014]

I think you’re on to something. I find that my sense of responsibility to others is my only real remaining motivator. I can work with that.

[@w.okkerse915]

Excellent video again. Can't understand why your video's don't have much more views. Keep up the good work! The theory about anhedonia that is still around is that people suppress their emotions, involuntarily, because their feelings are too painful or overwhelming. Sounds to me like an outdated psychological theory from the early 20 century that is actually quite harmful. Because it opens the door for all kind of shady therapies. What do you think about this theory?

[@1oldlady1000]

I for one believe that is what I did when I was very young. As I got older and more able to cope with them I think I just remained on autopilot, not even thinking something was missing until I was much older. When I had my first child, I wondered why I did not feel love,I could only act out 'love' because I knew what the model looked like. In essence, that was what I was doing for everything and it was draining my energy every day. I am over 65 and have just heard of anhedonia. Better late than never. Unless you know this hidden 'non feeling 'is operating under the surface it is difficult to understand why you are not responding to all of the normal protocols. I can see how focusing on one step at a time may help to 'activate' that skill that has not been called upon. I am not sure what you are referring to when you speak of therapies that are not mainstream but I never responded to mainstream therapies or medicine. I would suggest you allow for differences between people even though we generally look somewhat of the same type. This knowledge may help me to move past the stigma that everyone has assigned to me which is being negative because well people want to put everyone in a box and that is unfortunately the only one that they could find for me. Being misunderstood your whole life is no picnic in the park. I hope this helps you to understand.

[@annechappee8825]

Thank you! What about using anger to gain momentum? Like you get tired of your self-created "prison" and you say enough? I'm almost there. Lol.

[@RandyPaterson]

Yes, anger can definitely be used as a motive force to say "Enough already" and get moving. The challenge is to move in a wise direction, rather than a self-defeating one, which is what anger often pulls for. Similarly, depressed and isolated people often report feeling bored, and I usually advise them to trust in their boredom: It's not a disorder, it's your life calling out to you to get moving.

[@noreennormandeau5476]

What about sexual anhedonia???

[@RandyPaterson]

Low libido and other sexual difficulties are common symptoms of depression, common offshoots of anxiety, and common correlates of many other concerns. Anhedonia is a more general phenomenon involving most or all activities that a person formerly enjoyed.