• Contact Now Schedule an Appointment

    3881 Ten Oaks Rd, Ste 2A | Glenelg, MD 21737
    jpiffath.lcpc@gmail.com | (443) 520-1005

  • Jim Piffath

    Counseling for Individuals, Couples & Families

    • Home
    • Bio
    • Areas of Focus
      • Depression
      • Anxiety
      • Family Counseling
      • Counseling for Trauma
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • CBT Therapy
      • Common Thought Distortions
    • Getting Started
      • FAQs
      • Rates and Insurance
      • Client Forms
      • Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
      • Appointment Request
    • Resources
      • Recent News
      • Mental Health Links
      • Physical Health Links
    • Contact
    • Blog

    What is Social Anhedonia?

    August 16, 2021

    When you boil life down to its very essence, you’ll find what’s left is a series of human emotions. All of the experiences in our life come with emotion, whether it’s joy, sadness, anger, or anxiety. That’s why so many people choose to do everything they can to avoid situations that bring pain and only focus on those experiences that offer them pleasure.

    How different life would be if we weren’t able to feel the pleasure that human experiences offer us. Some people, however, go through life not being able to feel pleasure. These people suffer from what’s called anhedonia.

    What is Social Anhedonia?

    Anhedonia is a term used to describe a condition where someone is unable to enjoy the good or pleasurable things in life. Physical anhedonia describes when someone cannot experience pleasure from physical sensations such as the taste of food or the loving caress of a partner.

    Social anhedonia describes someone who cannot experience the joy of human companionship. 

    Of the two disorders, social anhedonia is far more common. Though having said that, it’s important to point out that social anhedonia is not the same as introversion, shyness, or social anxiety. Instead, social anhedonia describes a condition where the person’s ability to feel pleasure and enjoyment from social interactions is diminished or totally missing.

    Some of the most common symptoms of social anhedonia are:

    • Social withdrawal
    • Lack of relationships
    • Reduced emotional responses
    • Depression
    • Poor social adjustment
    • Decreased overall positivity
    • Monotone or flat vocal expression

    Causes and Treatment Options

    At the root of anhedonia is often depression, though not everyone who experiences social anhedonia is depressed. Unfortunately, many prescription medications for depression can actually cause anhedonia. 

    Other risk factors for developing anhedonia include:

    • A family history of schizophrenia or depression
    • A traumatic or stressful event
    • A history of neglect or abuse
    • A chronic illness that impacts your quality of life
    • A major and sudden illness
    • Disordered eating

    If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from social anhedonia, it’s important to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to determine if your symptoms are the result of some type of vitamin deficiency or a thyroid disorder. 

    If everything checks out physically, then it’s important to begin working with a mental health therapist. He or she can develop a customized treatment plan that will focus on what is called “behavioral activation interventions.” I have found in my own practice that by prompting clients to take external actions and focus on savoring or noticing positive experiences, healing can occur, and it can become more commonplace to feel joy from social interactions. In addition, if you are suffering from depression and your social anhedonia is a result, that can be addressed through therapy as well.

    If you or a loved one are not enjoying life to the fullest and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch with me.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/Indicators-of-Social-Anhedonia

    https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/anhedonia#causes

    https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/obsonline/why-some-people-get-little-pleasure-from-social-interaction.html

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Filed Under: Depression

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



    3881 Ten Oaks Rd, Ste 2A
    Glenelg, MD 21737

    (443) 520-1005
    jpiffath.lcpc@gmail.com

    Convenient to Glenelg, Columbia,
    Ellicott City, & Western Howard County

    Contact Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

    Jim Piffath, LCPC
    jpiffath.lcpc@gmail.com | (443) 520-1005

    Counseling services in Glenelg, Columbia,
    Ellicott City, and Western Howard County

    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn