Currently, there are no specific treatments targeted at anhedonia. However, modifying lifestyle habits and treating the underlying causes may help. Strength training and aerobic activities (e.g., running or jogging) generate adrenaline and dopamine, which can provide both temporary relief and be an important part of a long-term treatment. This is especially important in those recovering from substance use disorder and PAWS. An individual may choose to seek help from a primary care professional to rule out a physical cause of their symptoms. If there are no underlying physical issues, the primary care doctor may recommend that the individual sees a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. It is common for mental health professionals to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy, to help treat anhedonia. CBT allows individuals to become aware of and alter their negative thinking as well as respond to challenging situations in a more effective manner.
If other health conditions are indicated, such as Parkinson’s Disease or schizophrenia, the mental health professional may prescribe dopamine agonist medications (e.g., pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine) and antipsychotic medications (e.g., risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine), respectively. If the anhedonia is experienced as a symptom of depression, a clinician may prescribe medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine). However, research has shown that those with depression and anhedonia are more resistant to antidepressant medication therapy compared to those with depression who are not experiencing anhedonia. While SSRIs are still commonly used as a treatment, clinicians are currently exploring other anti-anhedonic medications, such as ketamine, a powerful analgesic and anesthetic that can overcome treatment resistance. Psychedelic microdosing, which is the practice of consuming very low, sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide, have also been used with some success.
Another type of treatment that may be used in
severe depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). During ECT, a trained mental health professional places electrodes on the surface of the
scalp and administers
electric currents through the brain while the individual is under general anesthesia. This induces
seizures, which can help overcome treatment resistant depression. Novel treatment for depression, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, may also provide benefit in the treatment of
anhedonia.
