Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
FlarnflingerContributor
I've been trying to find help with my condition (Anhedonia) for decades but it's such a foreign concept to pretty much everyone
.
If you know or have had experience with my condition, are there any resources you can direct me to?
Most doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists have no clue and just say, "let's try this for a bit and come back and see me". I've done that for 35 years now and am still nowhere.
Cheers.
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
RadderSenior Contributor
Hi @Flarnflinger,
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but is anhedonia used to describe a class of symptoms rather than being a specific diagnosis in itself? If so, then I suppose it depends on the root cause(s) of those symptoms?
There seems to be a lot of possibilities: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/losing-interest
Please educate us since you have long lived experience of this condition, and every lived experience is unique to that person.
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
FlarnflingerContributor
No, specifically it's the inablility to feel any sort of happiness. It's like the foundational pathways never connected from about the age of 4 years old.
Imagine the proverbial hole in the bucket but the bucket never had a base.
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
FlarnflingerContributor
There's no "re-charging the battery" because the battery was always faulty...
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
Misty7Senior Contributor
Hi@Flarnflinger,
Sorry to hear that you have experienced no pleasure in life. What treatments have you tried?
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
FlarnflingerContributor
I know the website you're citing as well as ANZCTR definitions but as I said, unless you live it, it's hard to comprehend. Even the experts are just trying to make sense of people like me who make no sense.
Forming few bonds, making no friends I have essentially been a spectator, not a participant in the larger life experience.
That's why I thought I'd just throw it out there. Maybe someone can relate to what I'm talking about, though I doubt it as I've not heard of someone else like me.
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
DogMan79Senior Contributor
Are yu on the Autism spectrum? Or have you ever wondered?
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
FlarnflingerContributor
Counselling with Nuns (before Psychology was accessible). about 8y.o.
Then seeing an actual Psychologist when it was "new". 11y.o.
Hardcore in-house treatment for 6 weeks at Pathways, Armidale,Vic. 13y.o.
Gave up and just existed until I was 35y.o. then went back to Psychologists and meds roundabout (for 15 years) until 3 weeks ago.
Now, I'm looking for an actual solution. The status quo can't continue. I need "something" that helps me connect with the lived experience of others. (If that makes sense...)
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
FlarnflingerContributor
Dogman, yeah nah. Tested by a few different Psychs over the years.
That's what is messing with me and why I'm reaching out. Even Psychologists and Psychiatrists have no idea how to treat me because there's no similar cases other than sociopathy or pyschopathy related illnesses.
I have (maybe too much) empathy w/for others and wish no-one any harm.
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
Misty7Senior Contributor
@Flarnflinger,
What kind of therapy have you done with the psychologists you were seeing previously? Eg. Talk therapy, CBT?
In response to: Lifelong Anhedonia @50y.o.
FlarnflingerContributor
Hey Misty.
Yeah, talk therapy sessions (therapist induced relaxation, yeah?) was good for a chill out but didn't give me tools I could use at home.
I was introduced to C.B.T. about 15 years ago but there wasn't a base to build on, regarding assimilating into society though I did re-work it to enable me to function professionally for many years though couldn't form any social connection with my colleagues.
I've learned how to survive but not actually live.
Also, lots of meds but I can't tell you what due to posting rules.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
