Posted by SLS on March 30, 2009, at 7:21:14
In reply to Why is anhedonia regarded as a part of depression?, posted by Onestone on March 30, 2009, at 6:56:43
> Hello, Babble.
>
> Why is anhedonia regarded as facet of depression? All my internet searches suggest this categorisation is universal, but is there any scientific evidence to suggest this is valid?
>
> I think I was anhedonistic as a young child. Yet I threw myself with vigour into all the things that young children vigorously throw themselves into; at that stage I wasn't yet depressed. As far as I can remember.
>
> My anhedonia isn't a facet of my depression, it's the cause of it. This surely explains why trying to treat me with antidepressants hasn't worked. Why should it, any more than using antibiotics would?At best, anhedonia can only be regarded as a pervasive symptom of depression. I imagine it is possible to have anhedonia in the absence of feelings of sadness, melancholia, lack of interest, loss of libido, amotivation, and anergia. It would be easily understandable that you would become frustrated and angry - even depressed.
What are the symptoms of depression that you currently experience that are not part of anhedonia?
By the way, some depressions can be treated with antibiotics, and has been discussed here previously. I am partially being a wise-guy. However, I am suggesting that the spectrum of causes and presentations of depression are extremely variable.
Can you describe some more details of how you experience anhedonia in the absence of depression?
Have you ever tried a dopamine receptor agonist or an autoreceptor selective neuroleptic?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:887696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090330/msgs/887701.html