It is usually associated almost exclusively with feelings of sadness and sadness, however, depression is not just sadness. It is a complex disease that is made up of multiple aspects, in turn, these take the form of symptoms, one of them being called anhedonia. Undoubtedly, one of the most important aspects within this diagnosis and that must be treated appropriately.
After all, anhedonia is not considered a disease or disorder in itself. But it is a manifestation of cases of depression, anorexia, dementia, schizophrenia or even a side effect of taking certain medications.
Anhedonia is the term used to refer to a person's inability to enjoy situations and activities that previously provided pleasure, satisfaction and well-being. Psychologist Estíbaliz Ruiloba explains that it is a “lack of reactivity” to stimuli that should be pleasurable. That is to say, people who present anhedonia are immersed in a process that progresses progressively and that causes the loss of motivation and interest in everything that surrounds them.
The specialist points out that, mainly, there are three types of anhedonia: social anhedonia, which implies the inability to enjoy the company of others; physics, related to stimuli such as food; and sexual, when interest in sexual encounters is lost.
This blockage when it comes to recognizing the positive stimuli that cause pleasure in people affects and aggravates the disorders with which it is associated. Since interest in carrying out daily activities or enjoying an active, healthy and positive life is lost, with all the emotional and psychological impact that this entails. This is because people who suffer from anhedonia feel a feeling of emptiness, which increases as this inability to feel pleasure progresses. For this reason, it is vital to analyze each case and identify what this feeling of emptiness is connected to.
In addition, people who suffer from anhedonia present a series of symptoms that will help identify it.
