Overcoming ANHEDONIA: How to Bring Enjoyment Back into Your Life | Dr. Rami Nader
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2024
- Anhedonia is a common symptom of depression and it is characterized by a loss of interest and pleasure in almost all of your usual activities. This video discusses three steps for overcoming anhedonia and what you can do to bring enjoyment and reward back into your life. The first step involves acceptance of anhedonia and not beating yourself up over because you cannot feel enjoyment or motivation to do things you used to enjoy doing. Step two is engaging in activities and behaviors you used to enjoy doing in small steps, despite the fact that you may not enjoy them. The idea is that you need to focus on doing the activities, with the recognition that you will not enjoy doing them because of the anhedonia. Finally, you need to persevere with these activities and, in doing so, the reward and enjoyment will eventually return, followed by the motivation and interest in doing the activities. It is not easy, but by focussing on behavior change, you can overcome anhedonia and bring pleasure and reward back into your life.
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8254 (39)
I lost interest in life, things I want to achieve are now dead, I’m daydreaming and mindlessly going through life
Sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time. It can get better and I hope things get better for you.
Same here
rough place to be. I'm there exactly right now. hang in there. I'm about to take drastic measures. Like eating extremely clean and getting back to working out. address your health first. I feel like thats the first step besides also what he said about doing your activities in small chunks until the joy comes back.
@@jpizzzle89 don't forget to take high quality fish oil 3 times a day!
Me too
Excellent advice. I struggled with severe depression and anhedonia for nearly a decade. At times it was bad enough that I'd spend weeks only getting out of bed to eat or use the bathroom. No motivation or energy for anything except internet browsing and binge watching TV. And that was just to distract myself from the feelings of self-hatred and despair. It was so miserable I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Antidepressants were helpful but only in the sense that they gave me a bit of a push to start making sustained behavioral changes. I had to learn these lessons in the video the hard way, but I'm thankful I did. Now I'm off the anti-depressants and thriving.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Tom, and for giving others hope that things can get better!
Nice man. I am in that depressed state right now where I haven’t felt any motive to get out of bed. It is torturous. I look for stories like yours in hopes of knowing it will get better for me too. I need to make adjustments, I just don’t know how
@@jintazticfulme too bro, I’m stuck and don’t know what to do. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t even know what I’m saying and don’t know how to listen or feel for people anymore. I wish I could get my life back.
@@millzyyy5 sorry to hear my man. We are in a similar place. One thing that helped me was coming across Dr Hubermans podcast. If you TH-cam search “Huberman conquering depression “ that is the episode that gave me some steps to defeating this demon. It’s still too early to tell but it’s been a relief knowing I’m at least taking some steps and trying. Best of luck to you homie
I struggle with this as well - and it could be related to the fact that my way of dealing with difficult situations was avoiding them. I am just fully realizing this and it’s a very painful realization.
I discovered, completely by accident, that if you do things in pieces, it makes a HUGE difference. Get your ass up and do something for 10 minutes. Go into it with the notion that it's only 10 minutes. You can retreat if you need to. Keep it up. You will have a far better day than sitting on the couch and the effect is TRULY CUMULATIVE.
I 100% agree with this. People too often get frozen by expectations of having to accomplish big things or grand goals (or even goals that are not grand, but unrealistic because of depression) that they can't even take the first step. Small goals is the way to go.
Yes Ive done this before
I like that. It’s been tough but I think I can try that.
@@CLamour91 I dunno if its too much for you rn, but check out Dr. Andrew Huberman on here. He explains brain chemistry REALLY well. You'll get there. When you see it from the other side, you'll kinda wonder how you were here to begin with. From experience. You got this.
This has always been my approach to exercising. If I don’t want to workout but do some cardio, or a set of deadlifts, just anything for a few minutes, and after that 5 minutes I’m ready to go. Doing this is just really hard during anhedonia. It feels exponentially more difficult and I’m trying to figure out how to push a bit more. Good tip though, I think you’re correct.
Yes thanks for that, it is a horrible feeling and Very upsetting feels like my personality has vanished. Thanks very much x I love that you talk of the acceptance .
You are very welcome Janey! Thanks for supporting the channel :)
Are there tips on how to achieve acceptance?
The words I can’t seem to find you spoke them. “feels like my personality has vanished”. I’m so awkward around people even my family, (cousins, aunts, uncles) everything thing just feels like I’m in a bubble.
@@daniellamurphy6511 It's a verb .. in MY case, it takes a concerted effort to simply accept what IS and not to feel badly about it or try to fix it or wish it away. My younger self was hugely active with many interests that took up ALL of my time and was as spiritually rewarding as it was socially worthwhile. I sucked the life out of each thing I loved to do. Now, at almost 74, I'm stuck at what ELSE I could possibly do to top all of that activity. I don't feel sad or depressed or antisocial, but I just can't find another (or old) interest to sink my teeth into (other than surfing the internet and making random comments like this). I've become a real recluse with just my pups for companionship and a little car that I go for occasional rides in the country with. I catch myself 'soul crying' in bed at night time (missing my parents) for just a short period of time and then continue with actively reciting the Serenity Prayer. 🌹
how are you now?
I felt like I wouldn't enjoy this video (lack of interest)...but decided to watch it anyway (action)...as a result, I actually enjoyed it (motivation)!
My mom always said "work comes first" and she was so wrong. Now I prioritize fun, even if I am not capable of having fun. Thank you for the water pump analogy. I was losing hope, but I will keep trying.
I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better.
this is what i call "dragging your corpse".
doing a weekend at bernies type thing and accept to do things badly is better then not doing something.
You're right. Behavior is the key.
I have suffered from anhedonia and lack of motivation for most of my adult life. Your analogies are perfect; I had already started to 'make' myself do things, and what you have said makes absolute sense. By making myself do things instead of sitting and waiting for inspiration to appear out of thin air, I've formed some good habits and am making some progress. Thank you for this insightful video.
i used to be quite happy and confident when I was younger. I did not realize that my happiness came from me actually just doing things rather than thinking about why I am doing them. and this video video made me realize that, just keep on grinding 💪🏼
Like the old Nike slogan, just do it.
holy molly. I have never seen it from that perspective. Thank you for insight.
I’m finally able to put a word to how I’ve been feeling for the past 5 months. 5 months ago, I was in a stressful situation that made me feel very stuck and made my anxiety SPIKE. I’ve always been a very paranoid and magical thinking person, so it did not shock me how anxious I was. But during this time and after I even cut this person off, I was experiencing both rumination and anhedonia. It’s not only that my favorite hobbies don’t bring me joy anymore, it’s that all I do when I try to get back to it now is ruminate about the past event. It makes me think I’ve been cursed. Sometimes I believe that things will never be the same again.
I'm glad you found the video helpful and hopefully some of the tools help you. Take care.
Same
Oh wow. I feel this way too. I see people doing things to make their lives better and it's so effortless and all I do is get mad over everything all the time all day every day.
I believe mental health should be common knowledge. Not just talk about it but talk about the different conditions : bipolar, anxiety, depression, adhd etc.
It took me such a long time to figure out that what I was experiencing as a teen was severe anxiety, that the depression was caused by my social anxiety, and that my aloofness was actually a symptom of anxiety and partially adhd. Did you know that you don't have to be hyperactive to have adhd? I didn't. No one ever talked about it, there is such a huge stigma around mental health to this day and it causes so much harm to those that aren't aware that it's not normal and they can find help.
How are you doing now
I've cut lots of bad habits from my life recently: Coffee, sugar, porn. I feel so empty lately and don't have any desire to do anything else. I feel like all of my old hobbies I did for validation and not because I enjoyed them. I really don't even know who I am lol.
Sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. Hopefully the videos help a little bit. Take care.
I know what you mean
Did you take psych meds??
@@forzapes9914 I actually did for 3 years.
@@jayros4269 psych meds can cause permanent anhedonia
I make lists of things to do, set up activity prompters and create options.
I joined a gym, I'm getting my bike fixed and I think I'm going to start walking, getting my nails done and massages.
I call it exposure therapy 😮
Thank you. I hit rock bottom but your explanation on how behavior leads to enjoyment and motivation gives me hope to get out of bed. Today I took a walk to my fave place and sat in the sun, then was nice to strangers. It is a start. Thank you; you have a reassuring voice and style that I appreciate much!
Glad you found the video helpful. I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better.
Did it work for you over time? i hope you are well.
i think anhedonia is a big part of why i've been struggling to quit smoking weed as I try to recover from my depression. I know the weed just makes me more sluggish but it also makes things feel more pleasurable. it's so hard to break this cycle, especially when you factor in the beating yourself up that you talked about
Yeah I used weed for years to reduce the anhedonia. I ultimately had to quit because although it temporarily reduced that symptom, it worsened the underlying cause. I found Marijuana Anonymous (MA) meetings helpful. A lot of people mistakenly think weed addiction isn't a real or serious, but it totally can be. Hope you feel better.
I've stopped smoking weed more than 8 months ago and I have anhedonia big time right now, feeling so lost. I think I am at a big pivot point in my life, I need to change careers and possibly change environment, lots of thinking these days, affecting my sleep. One of my friends wants me to go travel with him in South America and says it would make me feel better for a while, I'm thinking of pulling the trigger !
@@Vincent-tq3tw Sdunds like a good idea to actually take that trip. Traveling and seeing the world can really open yourself, not just your eyes about the world but your mind about yourself.
@@Vincent-tq3tw how are you now? I'm in that situation 😭
@@hvz0078 hey dude ! Well I got back to smoking more recently but it's kinda on and off. I tried a new job this summer and I like it, keeps me really busy. You just gotta make some sort of move, a project, school or a job that will keep you stimulated and busy.
living like this isn’t living. i hate that i wake up each morning
I feel that deeply, wishing you love and reat
I have anhedonia and I don't see any improvement. :(
I've described it to others as. "Happiness and pleasure are separate. I am happy but I just can't experience pleasure. It's as if every experience has an enjoyment limit which is capped at 'nice'. "
That's a great description of anhedonia.
Dr. Nader you don't know how much I need to hear this. So many things I've lost the enjoyment to do things. People absolutely do think you have to enjoy everything you do. Thanks for putting it in perspective for me cause I thought something was wrong with me. I am going to try to do more things now knowing I don't have to absolutely enjoy them, but I can learn to with repetition.
Glad you found it helpful. Best of luck with all of your efforts!
Sent too soon..,Anhedonia for over sixty years, and you describe my symptoms exactly and the advice you give is pretty much what I have been doing , but it returned every couple of years, now I know it is a recognised condition I understand it more, and thanks to you I have hope for the future…many ,many thanks🇬🇧💕
I am 63. I am failing at finding help for depression. Goals no matter how simple are hard to keep . Tried reward system. Can't find joy . Can't get a pet .
Bad weather, very isolated
Is this a good place to learn CBT? OR can you reccomend a free simple course on line
Only could do 10 min of walking in sleet and snow. Can't find anything to push myself to do. Lost interest and pushing. still trying to bake and cook . Just feel hopeless.
Yeah... i thought it was just life...
You still have Anhedonia after 60 years? God bless you.
Agreed. My anhedonia always return once a year, mostly in the beginning of the year like this time.
the flows of these advices are: Step 1, it is not a problem to accept you have it. The other people don't accept your apathy.
Step 2, your lake of will taints the activity. Because you don't have the energy, it turn immediately into a torture. To find the will, it will turn quickly into a meaningless ritual and possibly into OCD.
The metaphor of the pump is not how these pump work. You have to put a bucket of water into it before you pump (it is based in the Archimed push principle).
The metaphor of the train doesn't work too. A train knows where it goes. You have to decide a destination before someone drive it, or it is just a waste of resources, time and space.
And, no. When you decide to play an instrument, you have to have fun with it before you learn it. You confuse performance with pleasure.
I know, in theory your advices work, but in practice, I tried them all and they don't. Sorry.
Thank you Dr.Rami. The best medicine to overcome Anhedonia is get rid of the STRESS. Is the main cause that brings you this symptom. I had it for 5 years, and I couldn't understand why. I'm musician for more than 20 years and I couldn't enjoy music anymore, even listen it, or go with friends outside, etc. I was very scared.
(Too many worries in my head)
Once your mind is relaxed, and needs time, your enjoyment comes again. I promise.
Agreed that stress can contribute to depression and Anhedonia. However, the challenge is getting rid of stress. That's something that is often easier said than done.
I think I got it from the constant stress I endured, but I don't feel stress anymore and its still getting worse
Hi, I feel the same. It's been 8 yrs of being away from music. Each time I try to sit to play, produce music I can't bear it. It overwhelms makes me feel scared and anxious. Would like to hear more about you going in and out of it. 🙏🏻
I am still struggling with it. 🙄
@@demperkannis2568 how are you doing now
@@dinshak86 how are you now?
This is so enlightening! I always felt so bad about not being motivated to do the activities I used to enjoy, but now that I know that action precedes motivation I felt like I have a chance at fighting this symptom off. So thank you for the invaluable information, Dr. Nader! 👍🏽😊
You're very welcome. Glad you found it helpful.
It's not helpful though, you're completely full of shit.
I've been anhedonic nearly all my life. And my example easily disproves this video. I've eaten food my whole life, as you can see by me not being dead from hunger, but eating food is not becoming pleasureful to me - it's a chore, that I have to keep doing in order to keep my body alive. So it doesn't work - I keep repeating the behaviour my whole life, but it never changes that I don't feel good from it.
I’ve been “just doing it” for 3.5 years and I’m no closer to feeling the joy or love of motherhood that left me with the birth of my second child; that can’t be the only solution. To also not acknowledge the absolute torture and grief of doing it anyway and feeling nothing tells me you don’t get it. It’s debilitating and isolating and soul crushing.
I know that feel, my friend, sadly still don't know how to counter it. Like I've drifted way past the point of no return. How are you now? Does medication work for you?
I just recently learned about this term anhedonia which perfectly captures how I've been feeling for the past few months. I appreciate the analogies presented in the video (pumping water, train cars) as they just make sense. This gives me hope and some sort of game plan and drive because I've learned that there is a way out. Hoping to be back to enjoying cooking, reading, and working. Thank you so much for this.
You're very welcome. Glad you found the video helpful.
How are you?
@@rodytalks3989 Thanks for asking :) Through talk therapy and medication, I'm back to enjoying my hobbies. Admittedly, I still have bad days, but the interventions have been helping.
@@avlaure glad you're doing better ! I also have a phase of anhedonia during the last 2 winter months.. I'm trying to get back at things. I'm not completely anhedonic so I have hope that this gets better. I still enjoy things like gaming but not as much as I did.
@@zLcss Hope you feel better soonest! There will be better days.
I just came across one of your videos today and have been binge watching for hours now. Thank you so much for giving names to things that I thought "were just wrong with me" and ways of dealing with these issues in a realistic manner. Than you so much 💓
You're very welcome. Glad you are finding the videos helpful. I wish you all the best.
Same here 😊
This is what I have been waiting for all along thank u so much may God reward you abundantly 🙏🙏🙏
Hi John - I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
For the first time I saw a video about depression that really makes sense. The water pump example is perfect. First, you haven't water, but you must continue doing until eventually the water will come. And talking about the piano fits like a glove to me, because I am a pianist, abd I lost all the drive to play and make videos. The activities precedes motivation. And these steps on 5 minutes are essential, because I can't do for an hour, but certainly, I can do it for 5 minutes. And I already recognize it's not my fault, it's do to the illness itself. I used to feel guilty and worthless. Thank you so much. I will try, and I know the water will eventually come. 🙏🙏💕👏👏👏❤️
Glad you found the video helpful. I wish you all the best.
I’ve had anhedonia since I was about 19 years old and I’m 24 now. I developed a drug addiction to pregabalin and adderall. If I pop both I find enjoyment out of social interactions, going places and living life. I become so motivated to improve my life…. I’ve been to treatment and I’m almost 2 years sober. I’m still dealing with anhedonia and depression. Ugh
Sending love to you, Im so sorry. I always wished I could just take a drug to feel good but I know that it would be an endless cycle. Please send me a message if need be. Sometimes it helps to vent to a stranger.
I believe it is connected with our belief in God, and how much faith and trust we have in Him.
@@nataliespriggel3089 hey can we talk?
Pregabalin ughh its good for a while but then you need more and more I'm 22 and also have anhedonia
Omg same situation with me except mine was gabapentin and adderall. Screwed up all my dopamine and serotonin receptors
Excellent material on this subject, very helpful!!! Thank you!!
You're welcome Matt. Glad you found it helpful.
Your videos have given me so much hope. The way you speak and teach is so calming and compassionate, thank you for being such a genuine soul.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I'm glad you have found the videos helpful.
I am so grateful that this video came into my algorithm. Thank you so much and may your channel grow exponentially!
I'm glad you found the channel. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words.
I've suffered with depression really badly in the last 7 years , my doctor put me on highest dose of Setraline and the side effects was horrible.
I suffered with night sweats bad dreams and Anhedonia , so I stopped taking medication altogether thinking it would help .
2 years later and no medication I'm still suffering with these side effects and it has taken a massive toll on my health and shot my confidence, I hardly ever leave the house or my room anymore .
I'm lonely in a house full of people/family , I have no friends, I have no motivation, I daydream about the things I used to love and the ife I used to live and wonder if I'm ever gonna be OK again .
I'm sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. I hope you can find some help from some of the videos I've posted. I wish you the best in your efforts to feel better.
Damn it, I have the exact same thing on me. Sertraline for 18 months. I forced myself to quit it (I was yawning all day, and had nightmares and increased sleep paralysis, I also woke up crying). Now it’s been 8 months with no sertraline but I just realized that, along the way, I have developed Anehodina and depression is back. Every day I look at the mirror and tell myself “just hold on one more day”. And in the meantime I don’t leave my house or most of the times my room. I wish I had something better to tell you other than It’s nice to know we’re not alone in this. I know its not nice to want other people to suffer too, but at the same time, knowing that you are not alone in this suffering makes you think that maybe there is still a chance.
@@agus.lorenzogo outside and walk one hour a day.
@@agus.lorenzothis is what I tell myself : “ just hold on one more day”. I hope you are in a much better place by now! Hugs!
That's a very long time suffering!😢... im so sorry to hear you're story. I too am suffering similar to you,. Dam depression with anhedonia is horrifying... and I too.... think of times when I was normal and happy. Hope we both get there again SOON.!! 🙏for you!
love the pump and water analogy, sadly enough, a mind is not a water pump. I've tried and still do stuff on a daily basis but I just don't feel emotions about it anymore. I'm just like passing time until I die. I've been like this for several years already, I get help but they can only partly stabilize my mood.
Same.
how are you now?
@@gonadsoflegend same
Same here
You are so kind, caring, and informative. Thank you again.
بدأت اتابع حضرتك، علم و عمل جيد و مفيد شكرا
This makes a lot of sense, thank you.
You're welcome. I'm glad you found the video helpful!
Thank you so much for this video. I've been struggling lately and the whole pumping statement really reminded me that I can't expect things to happen overnight. I miss enjoying making art but I want to keep trying even though it's been over half a year. I will be back when, hopefully, I enjoy it again 💖
Glad you found it helpful. I wish you all the best in your efforts! Take care.
update?
Best video I’ve seen on this topic. THANK YOU 😊 🙏🏼
Hi Anna, you're very welcome.
This is GOLDEN CONTENT . Thank you so much SIR🙏
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
Hello Rami, thanks for this video and callout regarding this case... I've paid lots of money on doctors whom only wasted my time and made me open myself and go through life stories. I'm done feeling that way and I think I have found a way to escape that feeling thanks to You ! Best wishes
Glad you found the video helpful. Best of luck.
I appreciate your calm, reassuring style along with so much information and your unique perspective. All very helpful. Thank you so much.
One of my biggest breakthrough this month is you only need the intention to want something. You dont need to actually want it first, only the intention to want it and the rest follows.
Thanks for atleast addressing the topic
Past 4 months have been worse for me..
Surprisingly I got anhedonia not only due to depression...more dominantly it increased because I got COVID and read about it everywhere
That COVID can also cause mental issues
Now I m product of many things
Depression / anhedonia / Cognitive impairment / Suicidal behaviour / financial pressure/ poor social skills / no hope in life
But I know I Will and I m getting better
I trust my CREATOR
I have posted a number of videos on understanding and overcoming depression symptoms and if you haven't watched them, you can find them here: Understanding and Overcoming Depression: th-cam.com/play/PLG_XiSJeP3s1xOWOVHDMBPWjZImyu8M8d.html Hope that helps.
I hope you didn't take this vaccine 😬
What helped me was coming to terms with everything being temporary, even bad times are temporary. And if I was able to get past all those bad times before then I can get past this one as well. 98% of our lives are okay, the house is warm, I have clothes, I have food, why am I stressing over that 2% that’s preventing me from enjoying the present? It helped me be more sensitive and gracious to the little things that bring a bit of enjoyment in those daily tasks. Realizing that life will always have these battles in it and that it’s a life long process helps me be less anxious to fix everything right now, because I can’t fix everything right now, I just have to be patient and deal with them all as they come and it’s easier to deal with them individually rather than carrying the burden for them all at once
Thank you for this video I am inspired to start doing the things I once loved again
Glad you found it helpful Alvin. Best of luck!
You are absolutely correct in recommending ‘doing’ . Movement recharges the brain, like a battery. A little every day really helps! Eventually you get your life back. Singing and making yourself laugh also really helps. It helps to watch comedy snd funny animal clips.
Thank you very much for this. You have given me hope.
Hi Tabitha - so pleased you found the video helpful!
I went outside and felt more lonely than before i left. Saturday night.
This is the first time I've ever heard of anhedonia, but it describes what I've been going thru.
Everything is boring to me.
My sex drive is almost nonexistent.
I lack empathy.
I have suicidal thoughts often...maybe 3+ times a month.
Music and performing on stage is something I really love to do, but over the past year it feels like I'm just doing it out of automatic habit...i get no rush being on stage anymore.
I don't know what to do.
Hi Marc - sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I hope the video was at least a little bit helpful. Take care.
Same here! No sex,loneliness wanting to sleep and never wake up anymore! In my 4th week with sertraline! Pffffffffffffffft
How are you doing now
@@ljnv I've been getting through.
I try not to over think on negative feelings, so I stay focused on keeping busy. Thanks for asking.
I am a musician, Opera singer
I struggle every moment of the day with this condition! Joyless, apathetic, self conscious, emotionality deceitful shame guilty for feeling soul 💀 dead I exercise regularly do breath work swim
Cold showers ,maintain a spiritual dialogue with my heavenly saviour daily 16/8 diet. CBT EDMR …….Suicidal ideation I am so desperate for laughter lightness , simply blinking is a monumental effort
Performing with musicians liaison ing professional s family is terrifying . I don’t take medication I lead a modestly functional life yet I am tethered to this ghost trauma…..You have to choose to push forward
EXERCISE honour your body
Nidra yoga Self compassion
Vagus nerve awareness. Acknowledge happiness in others. Children they are our joy guides. Never give up
There is a deep humaneness in this condition. Self loving I’m sixty years of age and have been attempting to make sense of this condition since the age of 7 wtf is wrong with us, nothing ✨🙏
Creation loves you regardless !
Thank you so much!!!
Hi Barbara, you are welcome! Thank you for supporting the channel.
Loved the way you explained and made it look easy and understandable, thank you
POV: you are going through a rough patch
Existence is so cruel
Such a great video, thank you very much. I think this strategy also applies to depersonalization too: acceptance followed by a strong focus on behavior.
Hi Dylan - glad you found the video helpful!
Thank you Dr, brilliant!
Thank you for making that so simple.
Hi Alan you're very welcome. Glad you found the video helpful.
This was very helpful. I did not realize the pleasure can gradually return. When I try to do something fun and it does not seem fun, I have a hard time keeping from giving up. I will now try again. Thank you!
I wish you the best in your efforts!
Thanks for your words. I'm 27 and I've had mild anhedonia that's come and gone for years now, but what brought me here was how I feel after covid. It's been less than a week since developing it and my symptoms are mostly gone, but for the past couple days I've been hit with the worst anhedonia I've ever had. I feel pretty much nothing, like 'novocaine brain'.
I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better.
Thanks for posting this 😊
You're very welcome!
You speak so calmly .God bless you dr. rami
Hi Rahul - thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
Thank you sir. I’ve been struggling with this for years. I’ve sort of been doing what you described with small improvements, but this gave me a clearer understanding and I’ll try harder. I’m not giving up.
Hi Ida - keep trying!
Good, don’t give up!
I was so disappointed when the “solution “ is just do it. I’ve been doing that for years and it hasn’t helped at all.
@@pattyhill1398anything you found helpful??
Sir, when you said that people with anhedonia beat themselves up for having anhedonia YOU COULD NOT BE MORE CORRECT. I can't stand myself. I hate that I am this way. And when I tell people I'm depressed they think I'm like a little bummed out or melancholy or they assume that I created the depression. I have tried everything from meds to meditation, positive thinking, dbt, forcing myself to do things that I have zero interest in doing. I feel lost. I find the most menial task difficult like looking someone in the eyes, or having a conversation. I'm a healthy 36yr male and I dread every minute at work and have cut my social life to zero because I have nothing to say, the brain feels heavy, like a pressure in my forehead with frequent head aches. I've researched hours and hours online anything I have tried will not alleviate the anhedonia, I don't even feel good after a work out. It was difficult to even comment
Hi I hear what you are saying. I'm the same age as you and just relate to your comment. Also super healthy, in great shape just lost a reason behind all this. I feel like this is my first life on Earth and I am not acclimated, do you know what I mean? I hope you have an animal with you as a friend if you like animals. My cats save me all the time. I believe I us and everyone going through this.
Pain pills ,alcohol en drugs are my escape from reality . Sober i cant stand my self.
Dragging my body from place to place exhausted af en depressed af.
I just hope a miracle saves me and let me grow old. I dont want my parents get a call from the hospital that i overdosed on something and died. God just i want to be normal again
@@zynlove6867 Not being a prisoner to your nervous system by Jeffrey rutstein.Watched this video ,on TH-cam the other day.I related to the not feeling acclimated part of your comment..thought perhaps this video might help ..I hope it does..I'd be interested to know. One Love 💕
Thank you. Very, very helpful!! 🙏🏼
Hi Sarah - I'm glad you found the video helpful! All the best!
I'm so glad, I found your page! This describes me, so much! I'm even on two anti-depressants, and have reached this point. I'm going to make a concentrated, effort - to see if I can feel better. This is kind of a relief, knowing that there is a name/reasons to why I feel this way. I've just recently started journaling. So, I'll be able to keep track of my progress. And, just putting things in a secure online journal, I'll hopefully, see some progress, finally. Thank you!
Hi Diane, I'm glad you found my channel as well! Welcome and I hope you find the videos helpful.
I have been doing what you’ve said I should since u got anhedonia a year ago going out meeting atleast one friend and doing and engaging with things I used to enjoy everyday because I felt like I would lose who I am if I didn’t. but my anhedonia ha persevered. I’m stuck in the same place of nothingness
These are wonderful videos, with lots of helpful information. I could just add that depression comes on, sometimes, to depress extreme anxiety symptoms. Unfortunately, all feelings can be depressed, so you don’t feel anything. What helped me, many years ago, was a couple of books by the same author. She really explained my anxiety symptoms and how to get better. That understanding enabled me to move forward slowly. The books are old and are called: Peace from Nervous Suffering and Hope and Help for your Nerves. Author is Dr. Claire Weekes. I’m sure you can still get them and they’re worth it. Without those books, I would have been sunk. So sometimes, it’s sustained anxiety first, then comes the depression to quell it. However, I’m sure every person is different, but it’s what helped me, decades ago. I was a mess. I’m now 76 years and doing fine. Hope this helps somebody.
Hi Maxine - thank you for your insights. Claire Weekes was a very good psychologist.
Thank you Rami, I think the point you made about action being the priority that leads to the motivation is a critical point. I am going to bear this in mind and try and follow this. Thank you once again Rami, bless you sir.
Hi Chris - you're very welcome. I wish you all the best!
Very insightful and helpful! Thank you so much for this 😇🌸
You're very welcome!
I think one important thing to note is the fact that you beat yourself up for not feeling enjoyment for something actually means that you really do care about that thing; like if you beat yourself up for not feeling enjoyment when playing with your kids, that's a clear sign that it's anhedonia why you don't feel pleasure, because you clearly know what feeling you expected in that moment and you value that feeling, hence why you're upset it wasn't there, which means it can't be that you're just a bad parent, it's that something is wrong. i hope this makes sense, i found thinking of it in this way makes it easier to stop beating myself up
That makes sense to me.
I just no it’s going to past, and it will go away.
ive been feeling this for about 20+ years and i have done my fair share of drug abuse , ptsd and depression even though not every moment is terrible it feels no different than the proud moments like i dont have proud moments even though ive pushed my self further in the last two years but still dont feel the slightest bit better i def lost my personality nothing feels good always anxiety over thinking even when i know nothing is a big deal it feels like a big deal for no reason i steadily think meh whats the point who cares and then i see people post things they feel good about and i catch my self thinking what are they so happy about doing things every person should be doing how is that a proud moment, like i just dont see joy in anything and im trying to figure how simple things people get joy from like cool you worked a full day of work you had to post every second of it for what approval from people online ? idk i started doing research about this anhedonia and it sounds very accurate to how i feel cause it says ptsd depression or schitzopherna which i feel like im all those things ? like i said this wasnt just a random thought its been something thats been occuring for 20+ years as im 30 now i feel like even as a kid i didnt really find joy in much i was just able to pretend better, as i grew older gets exhuasting pretending i dont like being around people and im feeling like people equally dont enjoy being around me but i dont care type thing and i think people do still want to be around me but i think they get the vibe off me that there isnt really joy or excitement which can lower energy around me i just kinda feel like my energy was drained from many past experiences and ill never get that part of me back. ive quit abusing things , i pushed my self further in most aspects of my life i cut off the negative people from my life i set goals etc but i really feel like im just pushing my self further for no reason cause im still not enjoying anything like i dont feel like i got anything completed like not satisfied with anything regardless of how much i accomplished i also read that head injurys could cause this at a early age which could be a very big possibility i just dont know how to go about any of this i tried to ask for help all through my 20s but no one understands it so i just keep it to my self.
I'm beginning to think that you may want to have your brain actually examined or scanned. And, in my case, I think it's probably going to have to happen as well. What you are describing is the same as what I've been dealing with. It's more than pretending for the sake of onlookers. I feel I have to fool myself as well. And as you say, I'm out of gas. But I've heard stories about people who suffer from some mental health issue who see counselors to no avail and then get a brain scan to discover that there is an injury, deformity, a growth, whatever. If no one else has any suggestions, that would be mine.
@@gonadsoflegend I'm scared to really find out the truth but ive had many head injury's in past and have abused substances in past as well but I always felt that way
Really helpful. I'll try it out for sure. Thanks!
Glad you found the video helpful. Best of luck.
Thank you. That was actually helpful.
Hi Karen, you are welcome. I'm glad it helped.
My anhedonia stems from depression which itself stems from a deep anxiety about people and life. The only thing that I can say really helped me was throwing myself into situations that would usually make me anxious, such as nightlife, meeting new people, trying and doing new things (not all of them legal). Even participated in a riot despite being a quiet shy reclusive person. I threw myself in the deep end. I had to. Change is necessary. It shakes you up in a good way, but be careful, look after yourself, know what you are doing, be mindful of danger, be mindful of the law, be mindful of what substances you ingest, be mindful of people who may pretend to be something they’re not.
Exposure and tolerating uncertainty are extremely effective tools for counteracting anxiety.
I’ve been suffering from this for a few years now. Nothing gives me enjoyment anymore. What I do is self isolating and just want to be left alone. I’m not said per se, I’m just…. There. Used to LOVE golf. Even now when my wife or friends force me to go…. When I hit that perfect shot, 2 inches from the hole… I remember feeling “high” and giddy. Now I’m just like “meh”. The worst part is that I seem content to just be like this.
Same, I loved golf , was a obbsesion and now meh..
Thank you for the great advice
You're welcome Garlan. Glad you found it helpful.
Thank you for all the great advice Doctor. Your videos are very helpful.
You're very welcome. Glad you find the videos helpful.
Thank you so much sir 😭😭I just can't explain ❤️ how much i needed this.
I used to enjoy dance but now I don't
actually I don't get that kick,that drive that I used to get from it when I dance so just wanted to give my greatest appreciation towards you and your work😃
Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
SAME HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am suffering terribly with this. It’s not just the lack of motivation/ shades of gray- people who know me have noticed- I’m terrified my personality has completely gone. I’m actually an LCSW- Professional insight hasn’t helped. It’s hard to fathom how much people struggle with this unless it’s been experienced. Your video has been helpful- Just to hear someone acknowledge the debilitating nature of Anhedonia. ~Grateful/ Trying to persevere.
I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better. Take care.
Thank you so much this video helped me. This is how you leave a positive impact on the world by just doing what you can to help others. Thank you so much
Thank you so much doctor. this have me so much hope.
Glad you found it helpful!
How to Combat Anhedonia:
1. Love yourself.
2. Be patient.
3. Find a Hobby, even if you love it but can't get any joy from it.
4. JUST DO IT!!
Thanks for this Dr Rami. I think this can certainly help certain types of anhedonia, however if there are other factors, like the thing that once brought you pleasure, is an area you have experienced specific trauma in, then behaviour alone won''t bring pleasure back, deeper work is needed in that case. So for example your method might work well with food and exercise, but perhaps not so well with areas where the person has experienced bullying or shaming, perhaps related to their art, sport, etc..I think some people who experience anhedonia, have reached a sort of breaking point from an overwhelm of trauma, so it can be quite complex. But there is very little info on remedies, so thank you for this useful angle.
Good point Anna. However, I'd suggest that what you're describing wouldn't be typically considered anhedonia. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities because they trigger trauma reactions is more related to PTSD-like phenomena rather than anhedonia, per se.
@@DrRamiNader thank you. Yes Definitely PTSD influenced. I have struggled with both anhedonia and ptsd, so I'm trying to tease apart the different different strands in an effort to find healing for the different areas.
Very informative, thanks Dr Nader
Hi Craig - I'm glad you found it helpful! Thanks for supporting the channel.
Thank you, excellent video!
You're very welcome!
In last 3 months, I don't like to meet my friends or any activity. I always lay down and do stuffs. I started eating unhealthy and Gained lot of weight.
Before this 3 month, I started doubting my thinking. I can't discuss what's its about...But I came to know How life is unfair and unjust! Whatever I do, I can't control something. I was very anxious. How hard I try but it was failing.
I was losing faith slowly. At night I became anxious. I was not able to sleep because of suffering and imagination.
Because of that I became very mundane.
Now, I have realized this... Although I dont feel much.. Even I don't know whether I want to cure or not... But I don't want this... I will try everything I can again...
I will lose weight...I will work hard... Achieve my small dreams....I will try to become what I was before...
I just don't want to lose myself....
I have accepted that Life is unfair. And everyone cannot get everything. But quiting is not option for me.
Hoping best and Best of luck to everyone who are trying to move out of this fuckig Anhedonia ✨
Thank you for this video. I've been trying to raise my vibration and use the law of attraction, but depression has been getting in the way constantly - particularly because you need to live in the end result and do what you love, but of course I don't love doing anything now! I've tried to push through the depression and get back to art, but something that makes it harder is it can make me more depressed - I might even be feeling ok or a bit better because I'm doing something, then I get hit with a massive wave of depression and can't function to keep painting. Physical health problems that cause extreme exhaustion get in the way too and exacerbate the depression. I'll try to keep persevering with small actions as you suggest.
Hi Elizabeth - just keep at it. I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better!
Keep moving! I pray you get a breakthrough and that daily your mental, physical and spiritual life improves. In Jesu name, Amen
Thank you so much!
It was very helpful
Thank you thank you 🙏🏻
Hi Nada - you're very welcome. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
Thanks for this insight.
Hi Whitney - you're very welcome. Glad you found the video helpful!
Anhedonia is NOT just a symptom of depression, btw, but can also be related to ADHD and other stuff. And meditation, for example, can make it worse since the part that's getting strengthened with it is actually hyperactive with anhedonia D: And Healthy Gamer has a few good videos about this also :)
I found meditation made me duller because I have anhedonia. Did you figure out how to overcome yours?
how u overcome it ?
@@danielkanka495 I also have anhedonia, its been like this for years but I have become much better. Every time I tried something I always felt I had no energy to do it and no gratification, but it is because I started too big, so it became overwhelming. The way to do it is as he said(the guy from the video), break it in little parts and have it in a way you can actually think is manageable.
Is it too hard to go for a walk even if it is 5 minutes? then try to go for 3 minutes instead. Is it still too much? then 1 min. Still too hard? then just go to the door and back.
The important is being constant. Little by little everyday or how often you feel comfortable (that you can actually manage it) you will get better and better.
do you want to get better at reading? then start by just reading 1 page. Still too hard? 1/2 page then. Still difficult? then start by just picking up the book.
Most people are not aware that no matter how small or insignificant an action can be, it takes energy. So if reading a page is too much then keep trying on a smaller action. But don't forget that the first step is acceptance. That is crucial. You can't go to the 2nd step without completing the 1st step first.
@@blueskythinking8312 I also have anhedonia, its been like this for years but I have become much better. Every time I tried something I always felt I had no energy to do it and no gratification, but it is because I started too big, so it became overwhelming. The way to do it is as he said(the guy from the video), break it in little parts and have it in a way you can actually think is manageable.
Is it too hard to go for a walk even if it is 5 minutes? then try to go for 3 minutes instead. Is it still too much? then 1 min. Still too hard? then just go to the door and back.
The important is being constant. Little by little everyday or how often you feel comfortable (that you can actually manage it) you will get better and better.
do you want to get better at reading? then start by just reading 1 page. Still too hard? 1/2 page then. Still difficult? then start by just picking up the book.
Most people are not aware that no matter how small or insignificant an action can be, it takes energy. So if reading a page is too much then keep trying on a smaller action. But don't forget that the first step is acceptance. That is crucial. You can't go to the 2nd step without completing the 1st step first.
Wait what do you mean hyperactive with it? Strengthened with it?
my issue if that i feel like that i don't even want to enjoy anything anymore. like you say start painting if you used to like it. but i don't even have anything that i want to do that i used to do.
I've been depressed for so long. demotivated for so long. i don't even know what i would like anyways
the only thing i have lost is my enjoyment for video games but it's not like a hobby worth keeping
but i never liked going out. doing sports or painting
recently I've been just lying in bed sleeping and doing nothing
no you need meds he's clueless. read my thing above. ( i finally got suboxone for treatment resistant depression - an opiate with cieling effect so you cant'g et high )
I feel the same as you and doing the same as you I tired doing what he said keep doing it even if you don’t enjoy it and it didn’t do anything I just don’t want to do anything anymore almost like I just want to do nothing all the time like I given up on everything
@@e4digitalmedia896 you know what helped me was i got on suboxone but i am treatment resistant and i begged the doctor - as i had it in past and it worked on depression. but it's for opiate addicts ( i am not ) but it fixes me up 100 percent - but withdrawals are long and terrible- but for me worth it as i had life on it on small dosage. 2mg but i would try antidepresssants they can really help
@@christinadelacroix2370 Ketamine is better and works for depression/anxiety, quitting alcohol and/or narcotics, mental problems in general.
@@jumper1096 Healthy = Happy
Stop eating fast food
Interesting, I am the person who sits and waits for the motivation which rarely comes, so I sit alone getting more depressed. I will watch your suggested video next time, I really need to push myself to try this. Thank you
I'd encourage you to check out this video: th-cam.com/video/42V62J4yF4E/w-d-xo.html
How long is this supposed to take? I’ve been doing it for years
I keep coming back to this water pump analogy again and again because sometimes I forget but I believe that it is true and that it works.
5 month edit: I am doing better :-) going back to my past likes and dislikes rediscovering them. especially from the times I was self aware as a child. ITs helpful but I am yet to start feeling the emotions. Ill keep working on the water pump. The water is bound to gush out :-D
Glad you found it helpful!
Sehr gut!
Worth a shot
Great video Dr Nader! I’ve been experiencing Anhedonia a lot and wasn’t sure if it was my depression causing it or my antidepressants or my dopamine receptors being burned out from a sexual addiction I struggle with. Either way I believe this would work for however it would be caused.
Hi Brian, glad you found the video helpful.
Just know if it's drug induced, it will take longer and will be harder. You may want to do it with a therapist or support group
Yes, anhedonia is odd in one manner in that it seemed to me that those who enjoyed things were the odd ones. I could not conceive what made anything enjoyable for others.
No, I don't see it as a character flaw, but that I can't give my loved ones the attention they would like to have or be the companion they want.
My spouse wants me to go do things with him. I have not had any interest. Or, I will just go with him but it's as if I am going through the motions - as if someone handed me a script and I am following it. I feel worse for him than for me.
Me too. I go and do but no interest I’m so very depressed and tired ..
This video really helped me. Thank you. REALLY.
You're very welcome. I'm glad to hear that it helped.
Great video. I feel your passion and that you actually care.
I am addiction recovery. 13 months in. I experience this a lot, a lot during these last 13 months and this helped to hear the reasoning for it.
Much appreciated!
Thank you for your kind words. Glad you found the video helpful.
Now I know what's wrong with me. I used to be a well known creative Artist. I've become an around the clock caregiver for my elderly mother for the last 3 years. I have hit the wall emotionally so many times. I'm beyond Depressed. I haven't lived for years now, trapped at home.. I feel Nothing, I am Nothing anymore.. I'm interested in nothing.. At least now I know it's a real condition. I just want to go for a long road trip, for days. Anyplace. I want joy in creativity again. 😔
Take care Dan. I hope you feel better.
Hey Dan give yourself a Hugh pat on the shoulder.What your doing is amazing.But anyone who needs around the clock care after a while shouldn't you consider a nursing home or hiring another care giver so you can breath and do things?You deserve to have a life Dan.
And give yourself a big emotional hug.You need and so deserve it.
Thank you for the informative video.
1 year ago I quit my antidepressants after being on them for more than 15 years.
At the same time i was going thorough a divorce and stressful times.
So now I having this anhedonia, and numbness, I feel like a zombie.
I do things just cause I have to do them.
So my question Is my anhedonia related to the divorce or quitting the antidepressants?
By the way i don't want to back to medications cause they have bad withdrawal symptoms.
So it has been around 14 months I'm not having any feelings.
Im trying to exercise, meet friends but it feels so hard to do so as i feel everyone is enjoying except me.
I'll be grateful to get your opinion.
Thank you.
Thanks for your comment. I'm not able to provide advice or answers to individual specific questions. But, as I mentioned in the video, the key first step is acceptance that the anhedonia is there and continue to persevere in spite of it. Often what I find is that people often feel worse because they feel the anhedonia shouldn't be there when they do activities, and that expectation just adds to a person's suffering.
Riadh, I went thru a lengthy separation about 3 years ago and it has literally sucked the life out of me. I think I was used to my certain lifestyle of being married and family activities and so on that now I really feel empty and don’t want to do anything because nothing feels the same. We can’t let this happen to ourselves. Gotta pick up the pieces and keep going as hard as it is.