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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maree on June 19, 2008, at 23:53:27
I have suffered from anhedonia since I had a stroke 12 years ago. I was convinced that my lack of pleasure in anything at all, was caused because I am just not physically capable of doing anything that once used to give me pleasure, nor of doing it well enough, or vigorously enough to get an endorphin rush. I had planned my life around, and chose, activities that would provide an endorphin rush. I have not had an endorphin response for 12 years, not even from passive activities, like community singing.
Every stupid consultant has tried to tell me that the reason I do not gain pleasure from anything is due to my poor attitude towards myself, and the fact that I am unwilling to accept that my life has "changed" (and therefore, presumably, I must be prepared to find joy in less satisfying activities). I cannot even begin to imagine finding great pleasure in playing cards or bingo, or chatting about somebody else's grandchildren over a cup of tea, but I feel the problem is more that I CANNOT get an endorphin rush due to the damage the stroke has caused.
Does anyone else have this problem and have you found a way to resolve it? Even strong alcohol does not give me a lift, I get all the negative effects from being drunk, but none of the good feelings that make it worthwhile.
I just so want to feel happy, and to be able to love again.
Posted by bulldog2 on June 22, 2008, at 15:49:07
In reply to anhedonia, posted by maree on June 19, 2008, at 23:53:27
> I have suffered from anhedonia since I had a stroke 12 years ago. I was convinced that my lack of pleasure in anything at all, was caused because I am just not physically capable of doing anything that once used to give me pleasure, nor of doing it well enough, or vigorously enough to get an endorphin rush. I had planned my life around, and chose, activities that would provide an endorphin rush. I have not had an endorphin response for 12 years, not even from passive activities, like community singing.
> Every stupid consultant has tried to tell me that the reason I do not gain pleasure from anything is due to my poor attitude towards myself, and the fact that I am unwilling to accept that my life has "changed" (and therefore, presumably, I must be prepared to find joy in less satisfying activities). I cannot even begin to imagine finding great pleasure in playing cards or bingo, or chatting about somebody else's grandchildren over a cup of tea, but I feel the problem is more that I CANNOT get an endorphin rush due to the damage the stroke has caused.
> Does anyone else have this problem and have you found a way to resolve it? Even strong alcohol does not give me a lift, I get all the negative effects from being drunk, but none of the good feelings that make it worthwhile.
> I just so want to feel happy, and to be able to love again.I think it could be partly attitude. Many people do not exercise and still enjoy life. Not that exercise isn't good for you health. I mean there are times in my life when I was an avid exerciser and still had periods of anhedonia. I think you may be depressed because you can no longer do the things you once enjoyed. I'm not discounting that exercise may have helped your mood but your attitude towards your loss may also be part of the problem. I remember reading about a quadraplegic who positively embraced life in spite of his awful disability. How we look at things can influence are mood. Your life has changed and you need to find new things you can embrace and you will feel better. One of the keys to happiness is doing things we are passionate about. I know people who love painting or gardening or even breeding pure bred dogs. So you have to move on to a new phase in your life and explore new avenues.
Posted by linkadge on June 23, 2008, at 21:05:25
In reply to Re: anhedonia, posted by bulldog2 on June 22, 2008, at 15:49:07
I partly agree with the above post. It does bite if you can't get any kind of buzz from anything in life. That doesn't mean that you will never be able to again.
Its important not to always focus so much on the end result. Taking pleasure in things is a lot more than just the end buzz. Try to let go of the end result and focus on what you can feel and experience.
Life often inhibits us from experiencing the same level of pleasure from the exact same activity. The brain wants you to try new things and not get stuck in a rut.
You don't happen to be bipolar are you? The reason I ask is that bipolar individuals are often adrenaline junkies. If they can't get the high on life they often tune right out. Bipolar individuals often miss the subtleties.
The brain has miraculous ability to rewire itself to regain acess to the most essential drives and emotions. Your ability to experience pleasure may well return. Try to engage in as many of the things that will aid in your recovery, and hopefully pleasure will return.
Linkadge
Posted by Horned One on June 29, 2008, at 11:40:12
In reply to anhedonia, posted by maree on June 19, 2008, at 23:53:27
I'm sorry to hear you sufffered a stroke. My grandad had one eight years ago and this triggered chronic depression and crying spells. Apparently it's very common after a stroke and is probably related to brain trauma in some way.
If the stroke impacted your ability to walk and excercise this must have been pretty devastating for you. Have you had any sort of psychological or emotional support since the stroke? I think this might be the best non-drug method of finding some relief. Try to find something every day that makes you laugh, watch a movie, your favourite comedy series, whatever, so long as it makes you smile. Try hunting for clips on YouTube or something like that. I've been able to watch many episodes of shows that I used to enjoy long ago this way.
As far as drugs go, I'd agree with your thread below that opiates are probably the most reliable antidote to anhedonia. I don't think many conventional antdepresants are very effective for this problem.
-Horny
Posted by Amigan on July 6, 2008, at 20:13:40
In reply to Re: anhedonia, posted by Horned One on June 29, 2008, at 11:40:12
> As far as drugs go, I'd agree with your thread below that opiates are probably the most reliable antidote to anhedonia.
Well, i'm not sure how to define an endorphin rush but since endorphins are endogenous opiates, it sounds logical.
> I don't think many conventional antdepresants are very effective for this problem.
I think you are right about conventional (aka serotoninergic) ADs. Dopaminergic ADs though, can be a good choise for the treatment of anhedonia.
This is the end of the thread.
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