How do you maintain hope that things will get better? I struggle to maintain it. My faith in recovery is zilch. I feel like I’ll never be cheerful, social or passionate again!
3 Likes
I’m cynical, I have no hope anymore. Suits me in older age.
1 Like
Not saying that this is you, but I think a lot of people sit around waiting for some magical event or pill or something that is going to instantaneously make them happy for the rest of their life.
For these people, maybe enjoying what you can now is the way to go.
I mean some pills may help a bit…and I know anhedonia can get you to a certain degree on these meds and with sz , as well.
But enjoy the food. Enjoy the drink. Enjoy the entertainment. Enjoy this forum. Enjoy your accomplishments.
I dont know what else to say. Talk to pdoc and take steps in whatever direction they can send you, but more importantly look for things you are able to enjoy in life and savor them now.
Dont waste your life waiting around for miracles that may or may not ever happen.
4 Likes
I just feel like whenever i try to enjoy stuff it feels fake. I haven’t laughed honestly for a really long time. Life has changed for the worst.
To be honest, I think it’s because I monitor myself a lot whenever I do stuff. Like when I have a social interaction I pay attention to how I feel all the time. When someone says something funny, I laugh out of courtesy, not because I feel it if that makes sense. I just feel like I’m doing humaning wrong…or at least feeling it wrong. Makes me sound soulless.
2 Likes
I have heard before that some anhedonia can be related to anticipation. It sounds like that might be part of your problem.
Let me do an google search and see what it says quick.
1 Like
Yes, anhedonia can manifest as an anticipation disorder
, specifically referred to as anticipatory anhedonia, which is the reduced ability to experience pleasure in anticipation of rewarding events. This differs from consummatory anhedonia, where the pleasure is lacking during an activity.
What is Anticipatory Anhedonia?
-
It involves a difficulty in imagining or anticipating future pleasurable experiences.
-
This can lead to a lack of motivation to engage in activities, difficulty planning, and a general absence of enthusiasm for future events.
-
It reflects a disruption in the neural and motivational systems that drive us to seek out and look forward to rewards.
How is it different from other types of anhedonia?
-
The lack of pleasure experienced while an activity is happening. For example, not enjoying a favorite meal or a song you used to love.
-
Motivational (or Appetitive) Anhedonia:
A lack of desire or motivation to even seek out rewards, not just to feel pleasure from them.
Why is this distinction important?
-
Different Clinical Manifestations:
Anticipatory anhedonia involves a deficit in planning and motivation for future events, impacting how people engage with the world.
-
Brain Mechanisms:
Different parts of the brain, such as the striatum, are more involved in anticipatory anhedonia, whereas consummatory anhedonia is more tied to actual hedonic capacity.
-
Treatment:
Recognizing the specific type of anhedonia can inform more targeted and effective treatments for the individual.
1 Like
In other words, some of it may be you manifesting exactly what you are thinking.
You think therefore you are…..or however you want to put it.
Edit:
Anyway , without all this gobblegook AI stuff. My recommendation, not being a doctor, is to get out and try and experience different things. Maybe you can land on something you still get joy out of . If you think there is nothing that you will enjoy and you dont keep trying, you probably wont find much joy.
Try to live as much as you can. What have you got to lose?
1 Like
Thanks for this @Bowens, I never got any resources about anhedonia or schizophrenia for that matter. I think you might be on to something about it being my expectations of not enjoying things playing a part and I know that you’re not a doctor but that resonated with me.
When I was first diagnosed I just browed the reddit forums of schizophrenia and found a lot of posts of people suffering from no joy or anything, so that set a precedent for me going forward that anhedonia was gonna be lifelong for me. and that’s how it feels for me now.
I don’t know how to break the cycle that is in my control and it’s hard to tell what is in my control and which part is the anhedonia. Because it’s really hard for me to know now if I’m enjoying something in the moment.
I will try to stop monitoring myself.
1 Like
Belief leads to trust which leads to hope.
Believe in something !
I believe in unusual belief for a long time. Like I am one of the secret society member. What if I am removed from it. And I was like ■■■■ pissed .
Then finally I learnt the truth no matter what I believe in / God . I like the whole idea of different gods what if one God hates you but still you need to live.
I like the saying of Steve Jobs.
I swing between hope and despair. That didn’t used to happen. I used to be just hopeful. Hence my username. Maybe it’s time I changed it..
1 Like
I’ve had pretty bad anhedonia for over 6 months , Hard not to lose hope when it’s relentless. I also think depression gives a negative outlook to every part of life which just makes it worse
Hope things turn around for you one day @Mountain
1 Like
Self-fulfilling prophecy.
2 Likes
Yeah it sucks man. Have you considered antidepressants? I know I am.
1 Like
It does feel like that. It’s hard to stop overthinking my level of enjoyment of things in the moment. and Just enjoy. When I have a predilection for all things I experience will not be as enjoyable as it used to be.
I’m gonna do some rounds of rTMS (transcranial magnetic therapy) again. It helped in the past.
2 Likes
oh interesting. I will explore other options available to me with my doctor too. Tbh I don’t like idea of putting more meds in my body. Hope it works out for you
1 Like
Truth is you never know what around the corner but many people with sz find a decent life while symptomatic or on medication. Use the fact that things can change in your favor. Because things can change.. recovery (partial or otherwise) is possible.its not guaranteed but its damn sure possible.
Also..Not only can your symptoms and situation change but how you relate to your ilness can also change. If you can find a way to see your situation in a more adaptive constructive way maybe that would lead to a better life.
At the moment im not sure if meds or change in how I see illness will be the best solution but I have hope because these things are possible. That hope keeps me trying making it more likely that I find a solution. Trying can look many diffrent ways imo. From acceptance to determination to find life again.
Bro..sz kicks my ass daily..sometimes. I get the fu ck back up and try again. Knowing this is the only life I will get defeat is not an option. I will try to find life again no matter how many times I fail and no matter what happens on that path.
John mayor said in one of his songs “no one surrenders with their life on the line”
Don’t give up
1 Like
I have had differing levels of anhedonia for awhile. It seems to wax and wane. Even though I cant enjoy video games as much as I used to…..I branched out to other things, like bowling to get some enjoyment back. Unfortunately, I have an injury in my right elbow that makes it hard to do that activity right now.
I think anhedonia can have a number of factors influencing it and can be helped in a variety of ways, depending on what your circumstances are and what is influencing it.
Anyway, its not hopeless, so as @signless said : Dont give up.
Things can, and often do, change.
1 Like
I just feel like there’s nothing to learn from this illness man. Although I do feel like in time things can change but the idea that I won’t be able to regain my confidence or feeling of being alive as a magical beautiful thing fills me with sorrow.
I went to a big music festival and it didn’t hit me as much. that’s the mark of something that has changed with my perception of things. But like @Bowens said it could be some things that are in my control. It’s that aspect that I need to master and tame, even if other parts of the anhedonia is out of my control.
I just want it fully eliminated and I’m willing to employ every avenue in order to return to my good ol self.
thanks for your post though. It’s interesting
2 Likes
Are you stable on your current dose of meds? If so, you could ask for medication adjustments from pdoc to help also. I told my pdoc I wasnt enjoying certain things as much and she was willing to lower medication.
Maybe try to hit it from all angles and something will stick.
1 Like