Anhedonia
|
In psychology, anhedonia (< an- + Greek hēdonē pleasure) is a patient's inability to experience pleasure from normally pleasurable life events such as eating, exercise, and social/sexual interactions. Anhedonia is the inverse of hedonism.
It is most commonly seen in the mood disorder depression, although it is also seen in schizophrenic disorders and other mental disorders.
Anhedonia is often experienced by drug addicts following withdrawal; in particular, stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines cause anhedonia and depression by depleting dopamine and other important neurotransmitters.
Sexual anhedonia is known as 'ejaculatory anhedonia'. This rare condition means that the person will ejaculate with no accompanying sense of pleasure.