Depression: Anhedonia

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Heh. So many people think that ruins the joke, but is it somehow better when one doesn't understand the joke in the first place?

the "better" parts are when the relater sometimes uncomfortably struggles to convey his/her meaning, and when the "not a clue" listener struggles to understand and comes up with sometimes weird interpretations of said humor. only if the joke is truly bad is it better to not have a clue about it.

I've never had quite that intricate an explanation.

Today's been better than yesterday, but not significantly better. Hoping tomorrow goes well.

what also helps me is something i read in "dear abby" ages ago-

"Just For Today"-

*Just for today: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overhwhelm me if i had to keep it up for a lifetime.

*Just for today: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

*Just for today: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that i can correct and accept those I cannot.

*Just for today: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

*Just for today: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

*Just for today: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

*Just for today: I will something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully - if only *just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

*Just for today: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

The beauty of "just for today" is that you don't have to do the whole ball of wax, you can start on just one of 'em and work your way up from there. And it is just for today, as tomorrow is just another [to]day.

Thanks much.

I thought once that I might be a little anhedonic, but now I definitely don't think I am. I can still derive pleasure from some things in life. My problem is that I often feel that I don't want to be a part of society and do the things you're supposed to do. I am overwhelmed by socializing and being in the company of others, and underwhelmed by the things that most tend to enjoy.

But I think it's just a result of my sensory issues.

There are a lot of things other people enjoy that I do not and vice versa. Anhedonia is when I enjoy nothing, and it accompanies other depression-related symptoms such as suicidal ideation, lack of energy, too much sleeping, etc.

there was a time in my life when i lacked simple pleasures or any pleasures, and what i was fortunately able to do, was to run myself ragged exercising until i felt something.

Did I mention I was taking adderall to help? It's not as lasting as i would prefer but it does mitigate some issues.

I also had to go shopping today, and that helped too.

If I ran myself ragged exercising I'd be paying for it for weeks. Darned fibro.

let's see i started on norpramin [made me hot/sweaty/short-tempered] then when it ran its course went to concerta [lost 20# and sweat even more, still cross] then in an attempt to cool down while sharpening up, finally landed on strattera, which was almost perfect. where it deviated from perfection, was that it aggravated my GERD [its main side-effect] and also group death stopped covering it for me as it cost over $600 per 30-capsule supply. so i had to give it up which is a shame since it was the only drug to make me feel "normal."

I'm actually taking the adderall to cope with the depression. It's not very good for my ADHD because my doctor seems to think that if I get a reasonable prescription I will become a meth addict.

It actually alleviates my worst physical issues from depression: Lethargy and leaden paralysis. Those get me locked into bed for hours, and that's when I ruminate on things and my mental state dives precipitously.

your doctor needs to give up his shingle if he thinks you'll be an addict. out of curiosity, how does caffeine [straight in a pill/capsule] do for you? for me, it perked me right up but made me cross. all the stimulants did that for me, including stimulating tri-cyclics such as norpramin. the thing which keeps me out of bed is my back pain which forces me up out of the rack to move.

Caffeine helps too. I've been drinking coffee every day - actually from a "frappe coffee mix." It's about as effective as a reasonable dose of Ritalin or Adderall for treating my ADHD stuff too, but I develop a tolerance quickly. They do not make me really cross, but they do make me somewhat more talkative and somewhat more...autistic is probably the least useful but only way I can think of to describe it.

this is the first time seeing this, and I seriously think I have it, how did you get tested?

It helps to see a therapist or psychiatrist.

This might help to determine if it is applicable:

http://www.depressedtest.com/

If you believe you are in danger of harming yourself or someone else, then it is appropriate to go to an emergency room (or accidents & emergency or whatever they're called in NZ) and ask to be admitted because you are suicidal. Medical professionals take these things seriously.

If you believe you are depressed and you are not currently a danger to yourself, see about seeing a psychiatrist or therapist as soon as possible.

Thank you, although I have hurt myself several times and thought about suicide once or twice, I don't think that I'm in serious danger of hurting myself or anyone else. and having a prolonged discussion about it with someone would most likely cause me to think that way more then anything else.

sigh... I hate shrinks.