Annihilating Anhedonia: Your Guide to Feeling Again

[@mjbctgrl]

some other reasons we stay where we are: 1. feeling we don't deserve to feel better; 2. we've been sad for so long it's tied to our sense of self - if I'm not sad, who am I?

[@joanfolds476]

Anhedonia is horrible! I've been experiencing this for several years (after a major depressive disorder experience). Not being able to feel excitement, pleasure, well-being and all things good is no fun. Before I was faced with anhedonia, I experienced an emotional breakdown after which I felt worthless. I adopted maladaptive beliefs during my developmental years. I tend toward neuroticism and perfectionism, and my thinking about myself and life keeps me in this bubble. My default is negative. I'm 68 and retired in 2019 at 63. But, I feel good about myself when I go to work (accomplishment). So, I went back to work in June 2022. I currently work two part-time jobs (25 hours a week). I've never married and I have no children. My jobs get me out of the house. Maybe I resist feeling good because I don't want to be disappointed and/or rejected. That's really something to think about. The foundation of my development was riddled with trauma. Self-sabotage is a response to the discomfort someone may feel when things are going well or beginning to change for the better. Change comes hard for highly sensitive introverts. You're just not used to it. This is an excellent video!!!

[@edwardlulofs444]

Yes. For me city life gets to me. A couple of weeks camping or in a small town and then I feel fine. Until I return to the city. It’s good that not everyone is like I am.

[@Pinballwzd]

I took 1 ecstasy tablet in 1997 and have suffered with Anhedonia ever since. I have motivation and have always kept busy but I have not felt any joy or happiness since then. Life is so hard and I have spent my life trying to make others happy as I don’t know how to make myself happy. I exercise, meditate do yoga eat well, I don’t really drink or do drugs, so it’s not like I don’t try to help myself but I just don’t have any up it’s all either flat or down. It is such a curse I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It is a living hell. My wife of 18 years left a year ago because she just couldn’t cope with it anymore. Thank you for your work on this subject. Trying To keep the faith that one day it might change but it’s so hard,i just want to wake up. SSRI really didn’t help me. 🌻

[@KittyBeats85]

🤯 You blew my mind with this, Dr. Scott. I always get a wonderful nugget from your videos, but the Q&A starting at 41:00 blew my mind - "Why do I resist feeling good?" I feel that conflict within myself all the time, and I loved what you said. "Feeling better is scary... for the first time in a long time, I have something to lose... The only thing worse than being at the bottom is falling... You can't fall is you're already at the bottom." WOW!!!! That makes so much sense and may explain why I do or don't do things. Definitely something to ponder, and it makes it less scary to gain this insight. Thank you, Dr. Scott. ❤

[@humanpersonne]

I am taking these tips in my journal and bookmarking that page so that i can come back to it. Thank you Dr Scott. You're a life saver.

[@lyndastewart1944]

I wish I saw this live. I'm like this all the time. I've had so much to deal over the years I just shut down. #1- yes #2- yes #3- yes #4- maybe #5- YES Years The only thing I can feel for are my cats because they love me unconditionally and are always happy to me. But my favorite just passed unexpectedly last week. I can't stop grieving and don't want to get out of bed. There is so much more that has happened, you won’t believe it. And I'm not playing victim. MDD

[@pinkiehunter8443]

Me too. I didn’t catch it live either. 😕 I am sorry for the loss of your beloved cat. I was devastated when I lost my dog several years ago. Our pets become the only ones we can relate to. They love us & love to be with us & freely share their affection. My dog is my pal. She knows when I’m having a bad day & checks on me regularly offering affectionate sad eyes & cuddles! Don’t get much of that from anyone else.

[@lindabb621]

As a Veteran I asked the VA to give me electric shocks to my brain to help me with this. They didn’t of course but sent me to alcohol rehab even though I didn’t drink.

[@preacherman9018]

@@lindabb621 Please avoid the VA hospitals and seek alternative treatment. The VA are covered financially but have the worst reputation for hospitals. Shock kills brain cells. I use specific safe and effective supplements for taking the edge off of stress.

[@edwardlulofs444]

Any situation or behavior can be addictive. AA seems to help some people.

[@chelsie116]

I have major depression. I feel all this. I went through trauma four years ago. I haven’t felt anything since. Until I seen this, I thought it was a sign of aging. Thank You. I get B12 shots, they don’t seem to help 💔💔💔

[@SS-ci8yk]

Hey man, idk anything about you ofc but it usually takes a while of consistency to actually feel the effects. Please please please look into therapy though, there is help out there and while you may not feel like it for a while, you will get better

[@edwardlulofs444]

In my experience, depression doesn’t need trauma to start. Just low level stress causes depression in me. The longer the stress goes on and the severity of trauma makes depression worse for me. I am bothered by the noise and congestion of city life. Within a week I become irritable and it just gets worse. Everyone is different, thank goodness.

[@stephanieh930]

This seems like a HUGE topic. And one I never hear spoken of :( Thank you so much for discussing this. It's shed some light on what it is, how it is different for everyone, and ideas of what we can use to help deal with it, and more. Thank you!

[@MirabaiAsal]

So thankful for this video!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@xkcdhatguyfr]

Thank you so much doctor I am the dude that asked you to dub a video in french on Instagram I really think non bilingual deserve this quality .

[@astien3141]

Hi Scott, Thank you for all of this information. It is certainly more clear to me (currently experiencing anhedonia) what it is and what are some of the things to work on to address it. I do have trouble wanting to "do" anything at all when I'm in this state. Everything feels difficult; like too much effort. It's easier to stay here and just accept that that's how it is. I don't feel like I always have the ability to change that, it just has to happen somehow. I am a meditator and want to mention that meditation isn't only either guided or trying to empty your mind. It is just sitting and watching how the mind works, seeing the thoughts come and go, ultimately to see that your thoughts are not 'you'. They come and go and are part of being human. Eventually you can notice certain thoughts relate to recurrent emotions or mental states. Insight meditation has worked for me. Thanks again. I'll re-listen in a few days because I feel like I spaced out some.🤥

[@grzegorzbaran5776]

I like the metaphor with stacking boxes. Combating anhedonia can be costly... Sometimes I have to go for a walk, go to a sauna, go to a restaurant for a nice meal, and buy myself a new piece of clothing to feel something. Winters are more difficult and costly...

[@alison5009]

I needed this. My life is a living prison.

[@amandamackie3174]

Mine too

[@k_9ne00]

I cant enjoy writing music right now, i dont want to talk to anyone and im slowly isolating again....my go to is alcohol usually when i feel like this. This is a step through it because im resisting going out to get booze.

[@bernadinecagawan6765]

Went through anhedonia for several months and it was exactly like this. Your videos helped me so much. Thank you ❤️

[@jennys8189]

Very informative video, I learned a lot of new things! Thank you!

[@mollywhitman5219]

I wish I would have known this was gonna be live. I would love to have participated. Thank you for your videos!

[@barbarawinkle1042]

Absolutely love this video. The pie chart example so resonated with me. Thank you again for your generosity in sharing many wonderful videos with all of us. Uber gratitude!

[@attheranch873]

Hi Scott, have you tried The Tapping Solution? You can learn to do it on yourself on KZbin for free. It can treat a lot of things, I don’t think anhedonia is one of them though. But it can take negative beliefs and trauma out of the nervous system permanently, and that is incredibly valuable. I am retired therapist and it is the best tool I have ever found! You are the sort of person who could make excellent use of something like that. Thank you for all you do.🌷

[@Britdv]

@attheranch873 ..Done tapping, don't work 4 me. I done EVERY outpatient therapy in u-k+u s.a. holistic Residential Treatment was only thing Specialists said I need 4 me 2 function. That was 2012: I can't get it cos of 💰 & now bin in MDD 4 a yr. as 25+yrs of GAD & Atypical MDD, get worse wen Trauma Cptsd isn't treated. Trauma's stored in Body & each person needs personal treatment.. I've a 15 yr Medical Career in u s A + 12yrs studying World Experts: there's no "one size fits all" treatment, sadly💔 The Nervous System has many states & debilitatiin & I'm in Dorsalvagal Shutdown & av got Physically Very Unwell ova last 5yrs...& No help 4 that. I Pray🙏U all get the help, therapy, personal understanding you need & deserve x👍❤️

[@Bunker_Insights]

Great video! I also like Dr K's video on this topic and would recomend it!

[@jennyheidewald5006]

Thank you for this live chat, Dr. Scott! I really appreciate your videos.

[@damienkakoschke3099]

Anxiety, depression & Anhedonia, For about 18mnths on/off for the last 2yrs, passive SI as well. Am very interested in TMS. I suppose from what I've learnt of it in the last 12mnths it sounds like an effective way to get me back to my functional base level (which I haven't been at for a while). I have good experiences with magnets assisting with other situations, so this peaked my interest. Yeah, this anhedonia has been ramping up gradually for 1-2 years. Took me a while to realise I can only do guided meditations.

[@sadderwhiskeymann]

damn, i missed this live. I have a very important question to ask (i wrote it in another vid also but it got buried) WHAT about growing to like your anhedonia? I've lived a pretty wild life and i'd lie if i say i did not experience my share of disappointment. Now, after an ugly divorce ,combined with financial hardships, i am close to 7 years of being depressed and anhedonic. But i feel like nothing can touch me anymore, no more disappointments. I am ready to rest..

[@drwt03]

My biggest issue with my anhedonia is that it creates a massive black hole, not just inside me but in my whole life. Let me explain: 1) I can't experience joy, or only very little, and only under very special circumstances. 2) As a result, I isolate myself because the rewards I get from my efforts don't pay off. 3) Over time, isolation makes everything worse: I lose energy, I lose friends, and I stop going to work. 4) Then, when I'm all alone with few options left, the few that remain trigger even less dopamine than before. 5) I want to do even less and lose even more. How do you escape that? When you don't get the things you need to experience anything, and you're stuck with the things you hate, but by not doing them, you'll never get to the good stuff. Like, I wish I could go on a vacation I don't enjoy, just to feel good about it later in life, but I'm not even close to being able to go on one.

[@LianaDessaints-x8d]

I'm looking forward to your video coming

[@tamtenchalan6425]

Thank you for gifted sub, I really appreciate it ❤

[@Семён-б8д-й1ъ]

Great video man.

[@meagiesmuse2334]

If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism and the doctor says your lab test for it was normal, you should know that the Amer. College of Endocrinology changed the lab norms in 2003, but most doctors and labs are still using the old ones. They threat the lab number, not the symptoms. You might want to find an M.D. who practices as a Naturopath. They will use the new normal lab numbers, and test you for anti-thyroid antibodies as well. Once I was put on natural thyroid hormone, my persistent depression got a lot better. It's not gone, but much improved. Stop The Thyroid Madness is a good book and a website about this issue.

[@FollowBabah]

thank you for this livestream! BTW I think your mic issue has to do with your samplerate, If one software is expecting 48,000 samples per second but receives audio at 44,100 samples per second, it's likely to sound higher pitched. look into that and make sure all samplerates are the same! thats what fixed it for me :)

[@lindabb621]

As a Veteran I asked the VA to give me electric shocks to my brain to help me with this. They didn’t of course but sent me to alcohol rehab even though I didn’t drink. Obviously didn’t help me at all and made me feel worse.

[@peterthejenkins]

I'm gonna go get tested for hypothyroidism ASAP

[@Channel89988]

I give up I saw dogs shelter they are killing them and it broke me. Im in Europe so I cant do much I contacted rescues and they didn't reply.. Transportation costs too much money and I currently dont have a job. I don't get along with most people but seeing dogs suffering broke me down. I tried going outside and started shaking. No one took me serious

[@Britdv]

@Channel89988 UR Completely 💯☑️👍& understand; it's beyond horrendous & I myself am a devoted animal lover🐕‍🦺🦴 I lost my 5 dogs from my PTSD & lost everyone everything incl. My Petsitting business & home 13yrs ago I'd a room dedicated 2 fosterin abandoned newborn puppies till 3 months, ready 4 adoption. I did it nonstop x 7 yrs. I've nothing left but being so traumatized I can't function - yet so acutely aware of the suffering of animals that's another Death/Hell & Heartbreak in itself. Glad 2 know there's others like me: Bless U🙏🤗❤️

[@debbysimon120]

I’m majorly depressed, I wish I could cry so I could release the pain. I’m tired of fighting

[@dragonwitch27]

I've found that l-methylfolate supplements (B9) have made a big difference in my daily moods. I have a mutation in the MTHFR gene, which means that the MTHFR enzyme doesn't work as well as it should. This can lead me to develop folate deficiency. Not everyone has this, of course, but it's not rare either. Something to consider for those whose medications don't seem to be working as they should.

[@dianekmk]

Is there testing for this?

[@dragonwitch27]

@@dianekmk Pharmacogenetic testing, but you need a medical professional to order it for you, it can be expensive, and there is still debate over what the data actually reveals (basically, it's not the end all, be all). I suggest you talk to your psychiatrist/psychologist and do your own research on whether this would be helpful for you.

[@aryamoliere]

Personally getting into skydiving really helped me. Even on days where I didn’t want to go still pushing myself to get out of the plane really pushed back that threshold.

[@pinkiehunter8443]

@DrScottEilers Very good video! BTW Dr. Scott I noticed when I pulled up this video YT had placed playback speed at 2x this may be what’s causing the wonky voice.

[@mel3256]

Dr Michael Yapko and a number of really experienced, good psych professionals who have worked with hundreds of people struggling thru these things have found we often need to ignore the lack of emotion and how you feel, just do what you know you should do to get better. Good example, go out for a walk and eat heakthy even when we dont want to. Depression is in many ways a form of self-absorption....being hyper focused on how we feel. I started to get better when i started ignoring the feelings.

[@amandamackie3174]

I have major depression and have this

[@Channel89988]

Life is too painful

[@appalledpaul5497]

My old friends experience depression, bad moods and substance abuse (without much satisfaction) and now we've got a new term/expression to consider. I'd say they're all a bit warped from a lifetime of side-effects and have mis-trained their brains. Take Alcohol consumption for example - They (old friends) never complain, question or treat the hangovers with respect but rather carry the injury as a badge of honour - Something to feel proud and happy about? You know?

[@SonOfGodphotography]

Psilocybin mushrooms helped me the first time I had this.

[@oreosaysb00]

It can worsen it also though?

[@Channel89988]

Tried to talk to someone it didn't end well they got mad at me so i rather be alone I feel like i bother everyone

[@melusine826]

Ok, gotta come back when I have spoons😅

[@barbaragreene5137]

Ah don't be like that it's a hell to live with, I know.😢

[@starminoui]

I haven’t finished the video yet but I used to have severe anhedonia. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and was put on SSRIs. For the most part, they didn’t help. It wasn’t until I was put on lose dose Abilify that I started to get better. Later they added on Vyvanse. I needed dopamine, not serotonin. Makes me wonder if I have ADHD instead.

[@MilkToBread]

Curious on your thoughts about the Stellate Ganglion Block? Apparently its helped symptoms of anxiety, depression, ptsd and many other physiological symptoms.

[@jessicasimplicioreis3824]

Somebody watching??🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@4Beats4Me]

Could it simple terms be a backing off on what needs time to heal? I used to get it every time my husband and I had to move. Again. I came to realize that it would release me in a certain time. My horses, my passion, reinvigorated me time & again. They still do. But backing off is not a bad idea, is it?

[@universaltruth2025]

I am still at the stage of depression, sadness, grief and rage. I think I'd prefer to get to anhedonia. Or any state where I can actually get shit done again. That's the worst part - not being able to get shit done because I feel like crying all the time, and if I'm not crying I look like shit because I've been crying, or I feel sick because I'm too upset and haven't been eating well, or have a headache from insomnia or crying or drinking. That’s the worst thing - not the emotions. It's not being able to get on with shit that needs doing. Maybe insomnia is actually the worst thing. That makes everything worse.

[@anvil_and_ink]

You definitely do not want anhedonia.

[@christoferfaridhartantocha5384]

Can't catch the stream cos of work but I Want to know more what's your feeling about Neurology language programming ,is it work or worth it to study? And your video's help me a lot in my depression state. Because of that my depression isn't that bad anymore for now 🎉🎉 Also thank you for anyone giving me 1 month sub bless you.

[@lventer165]

Doctor Scott is definitely addicted to CATS 🐈‍⬛ YAY

[@LianaDessaints-x8d]

I live in Las Vegas Nevada everything you are saying is 💯 what i am going through.but i really don't have no desire to be in this future present.what do you recomend? I dont even wanna try to be in this useless world im not suicidal im just wanting to be somewhere else.dead.how do i look for professional help? Please help me out.😢

[@emmadeveto4236]

Anhedonia is part of depression, and gets better with depression medication but can you get better without medication?

[@dianekmk]

Meds are a temporary tool while you get therapy. They can contribute to anhedonia. Eventually, your brain wires itself around the meds. Getting off of them can be a nightmare.

[@LianaDessaints-x8d]

I get so down& angry at myself 😠 cuz I dont want to try.

[@RJones-tn5vg]

I think i need meds.

[@dianekmk]

I went that route. The improvement was temporary. Over time, I became completely blunted emotionally. If you try them, get therapy and plan to taper off as soon as possible. Avoid the one that starts with an L. It's very hard to get off of. I'm in a community on FB that is supporting people trying to come off. The side effects are awful.

[@Kenzz8630]

VIKINGS 🏈👍

[@preacherman9018]

This is what psychiatrists prescribed a family member. They were unable to express normal compassion and empathy. Antidepressants destroy the pineal with toxic fluoride compounds.

[@dianekmk]

I was on meds for years. They contributed to my anhedonia. Now I have neuro symptoms. I blame the meds. Doctors don't agree, but maybe they just haven't made the connection yet.

[@pazu8728]

Last resort reread the book "Don't give a F*k"

[@jessicasimplicioreis3824]

🇵🇱🇧🇷🇺🇸🇫🇷🇫🇷🇨🇱🇻🇪🇻🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇨🇱🇫🇷🇵🇱

[@barbarawinkle1042]

Have you, or if not, could you do a video that might give some general, encouraging suggestions and some hope for those of us who are devistated and fearful about having to deal with probable negative national changes, now and in the coming few years? Thank you for your consideration.

[@dianekmk]

Does it help to know that we still have checks and balances between the three branches of government? Also, the people who voted for this administration felt EXACTLY this scared and hopeless for 12 of the last 16 years. My best advice is to avoid the news and try to remember that it's never as bad as it seems. If you can't avoid the news, make sure you think critically and check sources from both sides as well as original source material. Both sides stretch the truth for shock value and ratings. Politicians on both sides stir up fear to get us to vote for them. If you keep your eyes open, it's a lot less scary.

[@hufflepuff4750]

Is my comment being deleted by a bot ? But can u respond to me ?🙂 I had sent you a message .

[@hufflepuff4750]

In email

[@rebeccatroeller639]

I’m bummed that SpongeBob SquarePants didn’t show up.