Lack of feelings caused by depression

[ChristopherWisham]

I think I have anhedonia I can’t feel any positive emotions at all it’s a nightmare does anyone else have this problem? And does anyone know what to do about it I’m probably gonna try to see a doctor soon. But until then is there anything I can do to get relief from this?

[Tedddy]

Depression is a tricky thing. It's like our brain's way of trying to numb out negative emotions...but at the same time it numbs out the good ones too. I'd definitely see a doctor and a therapist. Doctor might have suggestions for medications, and a therapist can help you work through the emotional stuff. It gets better!

[Hidden]

Hi!

For me, positive emotions are quite simplistic in nature. For instance, watching my dogs sleep, viewing a rose and other beautiful flowers, listening to the birds chirping and watching them as they land on the fence, watching my 4 squirrel friends following each other around in their perfect formation, listening to Vladimir Horowitz play Chopin’s Polynaise in A flat, cooking a meal for my family and enjoying them rave about it and baking a pie or cake and watching them gobble it up! Is there anything above that sounds promising to you? Keep trying with an open mind to see if anything strikes a positive emotion. I have to force myself to do some of these things in order to receive my reward! I hope things change for you quickly!

[Rpan]

This as you know is a symptom of depression. For me the negative,hopeless feelings devour any possibility for any positive emotions. We have to stand our ground and let those hopeless emotions just pass. One of them is this lack of positive emotions. Relief can be had by continuing to take action, see your MD, thank God for everything, running water, food, cloths, job, family, friends etc. get in nature..

[ChristopherWisham]

Yeah those things use to make me feel happy and joy but I’ve been not able to feel anything what ever I do I think the first weeks of depression might of caused it cause I felt too much emotions so that probably caused me to go numb. I feel a inner pain from the emotional numbness in the morning but it usually goes away later in the day I do have some comfort in happy memories hopefully this emotional numbness goes away. Thanks for the advice

[Hidden]

Hello

I was brought up in a household that could be very cruel, even now that still effects my mood and how I can treat people, that does not mean that I do not care, just I am able to isolate my feeling at various times where others will be full of emotion. I had two good teachers, my Parents and a really tough school in the fifties through seventies.

I have never really found a way to control this problem, however if something happens to someone you love the most important thing you can do is be there for them and be that person you were forced to be, that does not mean you are cruel, just you are able to look on things in a distant strong way that protects you from being hurt

As long as you are able to say You had done the very best for that person, you will also find generally people who are not "STRONG" will be full of emotion, they will not be efficient in dealing with families crisis, they will rely on you and discharge you when a crisis fades. Then you will know you have done well and been there to make those decisions others were not able to do for that time period.

If you are lacking positive emotions it may be you will be able to make decisions in a rational way. It is all not bad you are being rational.

The decisions you need to make, are you trying to make of yourself something you are not. Life can be very complicated, yet interesting

BOB

[ChristopherWisham in reply to Hidden]

it does help to see even in my pain of numbness that I can still help others and do good and it’s made me not feel fear in things most people would I do deal with anxiety but it’s not caused by real danger. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I beg to differ with you, Bob. All emotional and passionate people (like myself) are quite capable of handling a crisis. I am a nurse and worked in Pediatric ICU for 20 years. My emotion and passion made me a good, empathetic and compassionate nurse. I wouldn’t trade those emotions for anything. When someone’s condition went south, I was right there participating and doing my thing. I may have had tears in my eyes, but I was functioning adequately. We would take turns in a private room and cry when it was over if needed. There’s no discarding of people! I’m not sure I understand your rationale by making that statement. I just wanted to make the clarification that all emotional people don’t fall apart during a crisis. Being emotional does not equal weakness. Thanks...

[fauxartist in reply to Hidden]

the kind of detachment from emotion that you were describing Bob....is actually what doctors, EMT's, nurses, and others in ER's and critical care have to do in order to be able to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. So yes, it can be useful to be able to compartmentalize your emotions in those situations.

[fauxartist]

were you diagnosed with this?....I'd never heard of this before so I looked it up:

People who experience anhedonia have lost interest in activities they used to enjoy and have a decreased ability to feel pleasure. It’s a core symptom of major depressive disorder, but it can also be a symptom of other mental health disorders. Some people who experience anhedonia don’t have a mental disorder.

[ChristopherWisham in reply to fauxartist]

No but I have all the symptoms so I suspect that I probably have It I know depression can cause it but I want to get rid of it. I feel alien around other people cause I know somethings wrong with me. I do have Depression so maybe it’s just a symptom. I plan on seeing a doctor until then I’m trying to do what I can to deal with it