Anhedonia

Welcome to my life!

Yes. I developed it after about 2 years of sustained and severe psychological trauma. Day to day was so nightmarish it actually felt surreal. I understand how people can actually become psychotic under severe stress. I had to numb myself to survive and I lost the ability to experience positive feelings as well.

Around the same time I quit alcohol and the lack of alcohol seemed to worsen the anhedonia a thousand fold. Im not trying to discourage anyone who successfully quits drinking but I haven't consumed alcohol except for a couple of times socially in 5 years and the anhedonia is more severe than ever. I wonder if this is the " dry drunk" thing I hear about.

The Anhedonia is one of the more beautiful buildings on the Upper West Side.

R2 that scares me a lot because I’m trying to quit drinking. What a fucked up side effect for trying to make your life better.

OP I have had this. Terrible way to live. I developed it a winter I was working at a soul crushing job with some SAD on the side. It frightening to feel nothing at all. Death didn’t scare me, neither did illness. I just sat alone most of the time and wished my life was better. I didn’t take anything for it, once the weather cleared I was able to get my head on a bit more straight. It’s one of the most terrifying symptoms of depression because it’s like you’re no longer even a human on the inside.

I know all about it, OP. My response to everything is flat and disengaged. Life is one long slalom skiing course and when you reach the end, wherever that is, you go into a box in a hole in the ground. No matter the question, the answer is "What's the difference?" Most of the time, there is none.

I've often thought "Ann Hedonic" would be my drag name. But I don't feel any desire to bother.

Take a jog around the block bitches

Anhedonia was the original title of Annie Hall.

It seems like I was born with depression and my mother has always been crippled with it. By all means, quit drinking now- you’ll eventually feel better. Quit thinking like whiny women. I take SSRI and they don’t do anything for me except numb me. Would like to get off that dead-end train! I’m sure it will take years and the implementation of some good habits to get off the shit.

Thank you to the people who've replied. It's a bit comforting to know I'm not alone.

Can you do acid or mushrooms?

Not a joke. Psychedelics are becoming an accepted treatment for a lot of psychological disorders.

Can you discuss psychedelics with a mental health provider?

It’s called major depressive disorder.

I have lost interest in many things and didn’t feel any happiness when Trump lost. Intellectually, I’m glad. But happy? No.

I want to quit drinking and am afraid that this will be an excuse NOT to quit.

I'll get over it.

[quote] I've often thought "Ann Hedonic" would be my drag name.

Annie Donya, surely.

I feel much less depressed when not drinking. (Though I’m a couple of glasses of wine a day drinker, not a liter of vodka a day drinker.)

Any amount of alcohol consumed every day can be a problem, though.

But yes, op, I understand. Nothing on earth really gets me excited besides my wine and one or two tv shows.

Used to live for books and movies, but movies are mostly shit now and grad school killed my love of reading.

OP, go to the thread on mushrooms. I’ve struggled my entire life, I’m about to try growing my own to play with — the research is quite promising.

OP, here you go.

DataLounge must be a real bore for you OP.

[quote] Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

If there is that means a train is coming, get out of there fast.

Try Geodon. It hits a lot of major neuro-transmitters that often non-responders will react to. Warning: it *Can* give you some wacky side-effects in the beginning, (weird soma-somatic stuff that can wear off over time). YMMV.

I haven't been diagnosed with anhedonia. But I don't enjoy a lot of the things I used to enjoy, like traveling (even before Covid). Two years ago, I stopped drinking and it's been a positive thing. I've been able to tackle more of my goals since I quit drinking.

R2, I'm sorry to hear quitting drinking kicked up your anhedonia.

Get some good weed.

Of course Dory Previn wrote this. She knew about mental illness.

It is a significant symptom of depression. Make sure you see your PCP to rule out any possible physical causes (e.g. hypothyroidism, etc.) Although medication can be helpful, combination of medication and talk therapy is the most beneficial.

Anhedonia, great song by Blue Six featuring Aya.

Anhedonia was Woody Allen's original name for his 1977 movie Annie Hall.

link

R23, I wondered about hypothyroidism since I have some of the other symptoms as well - but on the other hand, my weight is steady. I'm not sure it's possible to have hypothyroidism without putting on weight, given that it slows down your metabolism.

If you can afford it, I would try ketamine infusions - very effective in clinical trials. There is a nasal spray available but is is not readily avialable as you have to be given the single dose spray in the doctor's office and remain there for an hour.

R10 All psychedelics remain illegal and as of yet, the only way to get psychedelics for psychiatric disorders is to join a clinical trial. Most doctors would feel uncomfortable recommending street drugs to their patients. I am a medical marijuana provider, and cannabis can be useful in treating PTSD.

The VA has been a leader in research on psychedelics in treating combat PTSD, with promising results.

I'm struggling with it now. I'm 49, in a career plateau, fighting to keep my melancholy from becoming blown depression. I go through the motions of everything I used to derive joy and stimulation from: reading, movies, working out, cooking. But it all just seems so--futile. I'm so detached and have no sense of meaning in life. I'm not suicidal. Just numb. Sad. Adrift.

The upside is that the things I used to get hung up on - making money, being as successful as possible - dont affect me in the least bit now.

R27 get your thyroid checked immediately. You don't always gain a lot of weight with Hashimoto's. I had a complete thyroidectomy 10 years ago.

R15 I had the same experience. Grad school killed my love for reading as well.

Thank you, R30, I will get it checked.