By Franklin Delgado
Anhedonia is referred to as the inability to experience pleasure or joy, being one of the most common and harmful symptoms of depression. This symptom frequently receives less attention compared to other symptoms, underscoring the need for innovative approaches in its treatment.
Here a new strategy comes into play: positive affect treatment (PAT). It focuses on helping patients rediscover joy and improve their emotional connection.
Unlike traditional therapy, which tends to focus on decreasing negative symptoms, PAT promotes the incorporation of pleasant experiences and skills to improve mood.
New approach against depression
A recent study published in JAMA indicates that PAT may be more effective than conventional therapies in retraining the brain to experience positive emotions. Clinical trials show that PAT not only improves anhedonia, but also the increased ability to experience pleasure.
The PAT is designed to help patients find more joy, connection and meaning, he told JAMA Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Anne Haynos.
The results suggest that PAT can modify neural pathways related to emotion, which could have a lasting impact on patients. However, the researchers acknowledge that some limitations of the study, such as sample size and the need for further research, prevent definitive conclusions about causality.
Experts advise that it is always advisable to consult with mental health professionals to adequately address anhedonia and other psychological conditions.
Symptoms associated with anhedonia
Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), in addition to depression, is associated with multiple symptoms that affect different areas:
Emotional and psychological symptoms
- emotional numbness: Feeling of emotional disconnection or lack of emotions.
- Feelings of guilt/worthlessness: Recurrent guilt or feeling of being worthless.
- Irritability and anger: Greater irritability and states of anger.
- hopelessness: Feeling that nothing will improve.
- Indifference: Lack of reaction to what is happening around.
Physical and cognitive symptoms
- Fatigue/low energy: Constant fatigue and loss of energy.
- Difficulty concentrating: Problems focusing, planning or remembering.
- Sleep disturbances: Insomnia or hypersomnia without rest.
- Changes in appetite/weight: Loss or increase in appetite.
- Chronic pain/psychosomatic problems: Physical discomfort without clear medical cause.
Behavioral symptoms
- Progressive social isolation: Withdrawal from interactions and social events
- Low motivation: Difficulty with self-care and daily responsibilities.
- Loss of sexual appetite.
- Difficulty setting long-term goals.
Anhedonia is independent of depression and can occur in other disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and borderline personality disorder. Approximately 70% of people with depression also suffer from anhedonia.
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