Dealing with loss of interest in enjoyed activities

[the10thleper319]

Hi. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to combat the depressive symptom of loss of interested in enjoyed activities. All I do is lay in bed, my safe zone. I want to enjoy the stuff I enjoyed! I want to enjoy my life! Thank you.

 

[Sideways]

Anhedonia (loss of ability to enjoy stuff) is a truly awful part of depression, and typically not a quick fix.

Two things that were very helpful to me (over time) were finding the the right antidepressant for me, and doing stuff even though I knew I wasn’t likely to enjoy it (behavioural activation - doing stuff in spite of how you feel, to get those parts of your brain functioning again).

 

[the10thleper319]

Anhedonia (loss of ability to enjoy stuff) is a truly awful part of depression, and typically not a quick fix.

Two things that were very helpful to me (over time) were finding the the right antidepressant for me, and doing stuff even though I knew I wasn’t likely to enjoy it (behavioural activation - doing stuff in spite of how you feel, to get those parts of your brain functioning again).

Yes, anhedonia is terrible and a joy/time robber. Thank you for sharing your helpful info! My NP this week upped the daily Fluoxetine to 60 mg. In conjunction with your behavioral activation, I am considering setting small attainable goals to totally/partially/at least attempt to do something I enjoy. Thanks again!!

 

[Friday]

For me? It just flips like a switch, one moment, in one day… from I enjoy nothing, to revel in everything.

I cannot take antidepressants, so there’s no chemical assist, or graduating. On/off.

The BEST tip/trick I know of? Don’t do things because I want to / don’t want to, but because I’ve decided to / it’s time to.

It takes a bit of practice, and the world explodes in color/sound/vivacious experience once it switches back off, but it gets the shit done that needs doing… until the switch flips. Including, but definitely not limited to, treating other people “as if” I felt a way I know I do intellectually, but don’t feel in the moment; basic needs (eating, bathing, housing, working, etc.); stress cup stuff; etc.

 

[arfie]

when i am in the grips of depression, enjoying anything, whatsoever, is an unrealistic expectation. i start with small steps toward doing what needs to be done to feel less bad. i keep the steps small. big leaps, good, bad or indifferent, equal sensory overload when i am depressed.

 

[Tinyflame]

Idk if this helps or if you also have ADD but I just read this before deleting for ideas in general:

ADHD and Depression: 5 Strategies for Better Living - Dr. Sharon Saline

Learn effective management tools for improved living with ADHD and depression

drsharonsaline.com

It doesn't give a lot of suggestions but it did say it is the reason things can seem nice then - not great in retrospect? (Doubt, shame, self-loathing etc). Surprised me that was the reason. I think perhaps it's possible subconsciously or consciously if it feels not great, so why repeat it> Until of course (we) realize it's not an accurate looking back. So persevere and challenge those thoughts/ feelings. I guess assume all is 'weller' than it 'feels'.

Hope that makes sense, I can't find the words today. Hope you feel better and more like your self soon. Hugs to you.

 

[the10thleper319]

when i am in the grips of depression, enjoying anything, whatsoever, is an unrealistic expectation. i start with small steps toward doing what needs to be done to feel less bad. i keep the steps small. big leaps, good, bad or indifferent, equal sensory overload when i am depressed.

Thank you! Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I was sick in bed with nausea and vomiting.

Idk if this helps or if you also have ADD but I just read this before deleting for ideas in general:

ADHD and Depression: 5 Strategies for Better Living - Dr. Sharon Saline

Learn effective management tools for improved living with ADHD and depression

drsharonsaline.com

It doesn't give a lot of suggestions but it did say it is the reason things can seem nice then - not great in retrospect? (Doubt, shame, self-loathing etc). Surprised me that was the reason. I think perhaps it's possible subconsciously or consciously if it feels not great, so why repeat it> Until of course (we) realize it's not an accurate looking back. So persevere and challenge those thoughts/ feelings. I guess assume all is 'weller' than it 'feels'.

Hope that makes sense, I can't find the words today. Hope you feel better and more like your self soon. Hugs to you.

Thank you for the link!. Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I was sick in bed with nausea and vomiting.

 

[arfie]

Sorry for the delay in responding

apology not accepted, helper. in therapy, your time is right on time every time.

breathing with you through the nausea and vomiting. my tummy rebels like an abused teenager when i get to psychopating. baby food is almost more than i can handle with my own nausea, vomiting and other even less welcome visitors are all too familiar to me. breathing with you.

 

[the10thleper319]

apology not accepted, helper. in therapy, your time is right on time every time.

breathing with you through the nausea and vomiting. my tummy rebels like an abused teenager when i get to psychopating. baby food is almost more than i can handle with my own nausea, vomiting and other even less welcome visitors are all too familiar to me. breathing with you.

Thank you. Thanks for sharing. I believe the nausea and vomiting were the results of the the trauma's depression (nausea and vomiting are symptoms of depression and anxiety), and part of the healing process. On Tuesday I made a huge step in healing through acceptance, as opposed to disliking the situation. I accept that based on what I go through, I will have good days/moments and bad days/moments, and that my life has changed. Then a couple hours after making this positive shift, I threw up for the first of two times. that day I went to my local Urgent Care center yesterday and they gave me helpful medicines. I feeling better thank God and just resting today. A lot of self-compassion, self-understanding.

 

[arfie]

On Tuesday I made a huge step in healing through acceptance

huge steps of any nature get my anxiety/depression ripping. even when it is as favorable as a therapy breakthrough, the stress takes a toll. the good news is that the healing breakthroughs eventually work their way to better days.

for what it's worth
radical acceptance and mindfulness are my most effective therapy tools. i'm a few fries short of a happy meal on my best days, but with the daring duo of acceptance and mindfulness, missing a few fries is not much of a disaster. i've worked with less.

 

[the10thleper319]

huge steps of any nature get my anxiety/depression ripping. even when it is as favorable as a therapy breakthrough, the stress takes a toll. the good news is that the healing breakthroughs eventually work their way to better days.

for what it's worth
radical acceptance and mindfulness are my most effective therapy tools. i'm a few fries short of a happy meal on my best days, but with the daring duo of acceptance and mindfulness, missing a few fries is not much of a disaster. i've worked with less.

Thank you! Yes I agree that radical acceptance and mindfulness, especially its components of self-compassion and self-understanding, are great therapy tools! Love that fries analogy, lol. Me too. Like right now I wake up sad about the trauma and its physical, emotional, and mental impact on my life. But through acceptance, it is like you said not a disaster.

Thank you! Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I was sick in bed with nausea and vomiting.


Thank you for the link!. Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I was sick in bed with nausea and vomiting.

Thank you.

 

[abovedown]

Hi. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to combat the depressive symptom of loss of interested in enjoyed activities. All I do is lay in bed, my safe zone. I want to enjoy the stuff I enjoyed! I want to enjoy my life! Thank you.

What happened prior you lost interest in activities you previously enjoyed? Do these formerly pleasant activities feel now threatening/triggering? Do you get enough sleep or food so do you have energy to get out of your bed?