anhedonia

Anhedonia is a reduced ability to experience pleasure or a lack of interest in activities that would normally be enjoyable. It can involve diminished anticipatory pleasure (the expectation of enjoyment) and/or reduced consummatory pleasure (the moment of experiencing enjoyment). Social anhedonia refers to diminished pleasure from social interactions and can be a trait in schizotypal personality and a risk factor for psychotic disorders. Physical anhedonia relates to diminished sensory pleasure from physical stimuli.

In clinical contexts, anhedonia is a core feature of major depressive disorder and is also observed in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease, substance use disorders, and chronic stress-related conditions. It is distinct from sadness or general fatigue, though it often co-occurs with them. Neurobiologically, altered reward processing and dopamine signaling in mesolimbic circuits, including the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex, are associated with anhedonia. Assessment can involve patient interviews and scales such as the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale or Chapman scales; neuroimaging findings have shown reduced neural responses to rewarding stimuli in some individuals with anhedonia.

Treatment typically targets the underlying condition. Behavioral approaches such as behavioral activation and cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as physical activity, can improve hedonic responsiveness. Pharmacological options vary by diagnosis; some antidepressants and dopaminergic agents may help in certain cases, while others may worsen anhedonia. Emerging therapies, including neuromodulation techniques, are under investigation.