A Concept Analysis of Anhedonia
Mentor: The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
Anhedonia is defined as the inability to feel pleasure and is considered to be a central feature of depression. While it is a central feature of depression, people with other psychiatric conditions- such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia- can also suffer from anhedonia. Neurological reward centers of people that have anhedonia differ from those who do not have the condition. There are key differences in the ways their brain integrates reward, and in the ways their brain activates when anticipating rewards. Currently, the environmental and physiological variables that are associated with anhedonia are not well understood. Examining the underlying factors, as well as differences in brain activity between anhedonic and non-anhedonic individuals, will provide researchers with a better understanding of how and why anhedonia occurs. It also has the potential to raise awareness for scientists, individuals, and parents interested in learning about factors that increase anhedonic severity.