From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In psychology, anhedonia (< Greek αν- an-, without + ηδονή hēdonē, pleasure) is an inability to experience pleasure from normally pleasurable life events such as eating, exercise, and social or sexual interaction.

Anhedonia is recognized as one of the key symptoms of the mood disorder depression according to both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). Other than anhedonia, the DSM considers only depressed mood to be a key symptom.^{[citation needed]} The ICD lists both depressed mood and fatigue or loss of energy as the other key symptoms. Anhedonia is also seen in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizoid personality disorder and other mental disorders.

a few steps closer we find:

“A more complete understanding of anhedonia comes from an expanded definition, taking into account the full breadth of the spectrum.  I would say that anhedonia is not only the inability to experience pleasure, it is the inability to experience any positive feeling whatsoever.  It may seem like a slight distinction, but it is crucial to understanding both the experience of the patient, and the impact that this particular symptom has upon the patient.
In the most severe cases, patients are unable to experience anything positive: no pleasure, no satisfaction, no fulfillment, no sense of accomplishment, no sense of worth, no sense of meaningfulness.  Just nothing.  
Many positive experiences have little, if anything, to do with pleasure…  
I realize that different people may define “pleasure” in different ways.  The point is not to get hung up on what is and what is not pleasure.  The point is that anhedonia, in its most severe form, involves the loss of all positive feelings.  In other words, it involves the complete loss of any kind of positive reinforcement.
One consequence of this, is that the person with anhedonia cannot do anything to make himself or herself feel better.  This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and/or helplessness.  It also can lead to problems in relationships.  Other people do not understand why the patient is acting the way she or he is acting.  The patient knows that others do not understand, which adds to the experience of alienation…  
Thus, we come to understand why anhedonia is one of the core symptoms of depression. ”    -from an excellent article. Read more here  http://scienceblogs.com/corpuscallosum/2007/03/basic_concepts_anhedonia.php

 I’ve stolen a few poignant subjective expressions of anhedonia:

“I make jewelry and used to love it, but now can’t complete anything and am in such a mess with my beads I don’t think I’ll ever get them straightened out. I’ve gained 40 pounds, don’t care about my appearance, can’t clean the house, etc etc. I feel I have all the symptoms of depression, plus I can’t feel any excitement about seeing loved ones, can’t think of anything, or anywhere I want to be but in my bedroom.”

and           sarah Says:

“it’s very hard to live with anhedonia…i can’t go on like this,my life is broken.
i just want to know the reason , maybe i could go through it .
why i can’t enjoy what i do,every single minute , every experience , every situation , every relation , every new things , every crowd between friends and so and so
while all of the others smile and laugh as if something totaly excited…
why am i strange like that?”

and     Plil said:

…”I can’t actually feel angry, but there’s no denying the burning resentment I now have toward my peers in college. Everybody but me is having a good time, and my friends assume that I’m gay because I don’t respond when women flirt with me. I just go to class/work and go home. Nothing else is worth the effort.”

and one from my own experience:   Diane said;

“I had developed no real affinity for the planet or its inhabitants.  The push to really be involved was minimal.  I just wanted to feel safe and get through the day.  I would have to call myself self-centered, if I had even been able to be interested in myself.”

For some of us, the world is indeed flat.  So talk to me! How is it for you? Does anything help?

Hit the COMMENT link in the lower right hand corner and tell me all about it> Diane