Might a pleasure improve anhedonia and depression?

Abstract

Introduction Anhedonia (a reduction of the abil ity to feel pleasure) is considered a key symptom in major depression and may influence some of its most imp ortant symptoms, such as apathy, difficulty in concentrating and main taining attention, and gloomy mood. Various pleasurable sensations seem to be useful both in anhe donia and in depression. These pleasures are more intense than the usual daily ones, and their greater intensity could mean they can still be felt by a certain number of anhedonic individuals. Hypothesis Feeling a pleasant stimulus enhances the user's sensitivity to subsequent rewards, so subsequent pleasures can be felt more strongly for a certain time. In this way, a pleasure strong enough to be still felt by some anhe donic individuals might reinforce their sensitivity to other rewards, enabling them to regain previously faded or lost pleasures, hence impro ving the anhedonia. Evaluation of Hypothesis Anhedonia is a key symptom of major depression and may influence some of its symptoms; hence an improve ment in anhedonia, produced by a pleasure strong enough to be felt, might positively influence the life of depressed people. Consequences of Hypothesis Since many symptoms of depression could be influenced by anhedonia, ameliorating anhedonia may alleviate also these symptoms of depression. Conclusion A pleasure, strong enough to be felt, might allow anhedonic and depressed persons to regain, for a certain time, previously lostnormal pleasures, thus enabling them to temporarily lead a more enjoyable life.