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Incredibly lonely, shutting down: Suffering with Anhedonia

Posted by januaryjane @januaryjane, Jun 5, 2020

Im dealing with a lot, my body is wearing me down. Im not sure if its self-numbing, but i feel like im shutting down. Emotions, interests, pleasure. Im exhausted, heartbroken and lonely. I dont have answers although its been so long. I just want to quit fighting this battle with my body I cant figure out. Stay home, quit seeking medical advice. Whats the point?

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mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Feb 22, 2025
In reply to @bewildered "If you have awesome grown kids and a wonderful, supportive family, that’s great and that you..." + (show)
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If you have awesome grown kids and a wonderful, supportive family, that’s great and that you are more fortunate than many of us who do not have one.

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I do consider myself lucky in this regard, but not so much with the physical and mental issues that I deal with. I wouldn't wish these on anybody else.

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mc2011 | @mc2011 | Jan 23 5:59am

Good morning to everyone,
A relative in the family suffers from OCD/ Anhedonia, with all the effects of not feeling any joy!
Does anyone have an experience and a solution, for behaviors as "I do not have nothing to ware", "need to go to the hairdresser, but no appointment is made", etc. is like the relative does not want to do anything that is beneficial for it's health - no exercise, no vitamins, no ... ". Luckelly the relatives is taking the medicine prescribed"

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 4 days ago
In reply to @mc2011 "Good morning to everyone, A relative in the family suffers from OCD/ Anhedonia, with all the..." + (show)
Profile picture for mc2011 @mc2011

Good morning to everyone,
A relative in the family suffers from OCD/ Anhedonia, with all the effects of not feeling any joy!
Does anyone have an experience and a solution, for behaviors as "I do not have nothing to ware", "need to go to the hairdresser, but no appointment is made", etc. is like the relative does not want to do anything that is beneficial for it's health - no exercise, no vitamins, no ... ". Luckelly the relatives is taking the medicine prescribed"

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@mc2011, this must be so challenging. To someone who does not experience anhedonia, it seems like the solutions could be so simple. But as you know with your relative, solutions are not simple. They find it hard to help themselves. I'm glad they take they medications as prescribed.

You're a caring person looking for tips. Do you live close to your relative? Do they also see a therapist or group therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?

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irishmary | @irishmary | 2 days ago
In reply to @gailb "@januaryjane, I'm Gail and I'm a Volunteer Mentor with Mayo Connect. Please don't give up! There..." + (show)
Profile picture for Gail Benson Ledesma , Alumni Mentor @gailb

@januaryjane,
I'm Gail and I'm a Volunteer Mentor with Mayo Connect. Please don't give up! There are many here who will reach out to you. First, please let me know that you won't do anything to harm yourself. Please commit that you won't do that.

- Can you tell me more about your situation?
- You say you're lonely; do you have family or friends to whom you can talk? If not,
we're here for listening and communicating.
- What are you experiencing in your body that are problems?
- Have you seen physicians about treating your problems?
- Are you taking medications, and if so, what are you taking?
- What made you reach out to Mayo Connect?

I'm not a medical professional, but through my experience, and that of others on Mayo Connect, we may be able to help you find what you need. We have had many experiences and may have even been where you are now in the past.

Thank you for reaching out. Please know that you are loved.

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@gailb I'm a supportive family member of a loved long-distance sufferer. Also a past sufferer of depression myself. It's the lack of all human contact that's worst for us. What can make a difference to us is to get out and have an exchange with someone - anyone - the grocery clerk, a walker, ANY FELLOW HUMAN! Be the first one to smile or say Hi no matter how difficult it may seem. Offer help to someone needful or elderly or physically struggling. A simple exchange can bring a little bit of light into our lives.

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tisme | @tisme | 2 days ago

Im bipolar, and the depression is wow, it doesnt quit, even my daughter has noticed I don't do things I used to like listen to music, I dont know , I just cant be bothered. My body too is not like it used to be, bad arthritis , and such. I am tired of fighting it and life. Im so tired. other people dont know or care.

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tisme | @tisme | 15 hours ago

I can get a government funded support worker for a few hours a week, I just want to get away from the house for a while , a coffee, sit at the beach ( I cant get far now due to arthritis too ) but the government wont fund support for such things, they wont understand how depression etc can be helped by such things,

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