Does there exist a neurological condition in which a person is physically incapable of feeling happiness?

Question

Two years ago I experienced several consecutive months of emotional trauma. Since then I have been almost unable to feel any kind of joy or satisfaction from any activity. In spite of being continuously treated with strong doses of anti-depressants the situation has not improved (although it shows no signs of worsening). I am aware that the region between psychology and neurology is a grey area (no pun intended), but I am wondering if there is a medical condition with the characteristics I have described.

Answer 1

I agree with the other responses. Your description sounds a lot like depression or post-traumatic stress, which both have a psychological and bio-chemical basis. Its possible you just need more time to overcome the trauma, but there is definitely something wrong, and your present treatment doesn't seem to be effective. If you haven't tried all of the different antidepressants, it would be a good idea to ask you doc to switch to a different type of medication. Many people need to try several different antidepressants before finding one that really works.

Counseling combined with antidepressants is sometimes helpful for people to overcome these flat spots. Other things that sometimes help: regular exercise; reducing intake of sugar (if your intake is high); and changing those things in your life that make you feel bad (such as getting a new job, moving to a new location).

Answer 2

ok well i would say that there isn't really a condition for it but, there are things where your brain doesn't release the "happy" hormones enough, that can be due to several things, emotional trauma, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) Depression and so on, this basically means when the "happy area" of your brain is stimulated it doesn't create the right amount of hormones to make that person feel happy or joyful, i think the hormone is either edorphin or seratonin or something like that (dunno lol) also shock can stop the brain from producing this time of hormone, but what i could say is that you are probably on the wrong type or dosage or even pescription of tablets if they are not helping you, also some tablets take 3 weeks to kick in and that's only a little bit when that happens a further 3 weeks is needed for it to fully work and "lighten" your mood, as they don't make you feel happy, they just help your brain keep at a steady level of "happy" hormones and they make sure that the level does not drop below a certain point, the rest is up to you, hmm i suggest you go back to who ever gave you the perscription and ask them to change it if it's not working for you, i hope this helps good luck ^_^

Answer 3

This is also known as "anhedonia," and is part of the depression spectrum. It is frequently treated not so much with antidepressants, but with SSNRI's (a variant of anti-depressant).

You may also have a degree of post-traumatic syndrome as this has followed "several consecutive months of emotional trauma."

If your therapist has not helped you at all in 2 years, maybe it's time to seek another opinion.

Cheerio!
Turtlemom

Answer 4

needless to say it could continually be broken or inadequate tear ducts, yet i can not cry....i think it to be a psychological factor, yet i can not or won't cry...i think all of it top off however the tears won't bypass...to be sexist, I actually have a very extreme female side and it does no longer help...the tears are there, as my sinus proves, yet to cry a tear?... it merely does no longer ensue...besides, i'm analyzing what i'm writing and that i want to cry...forgive me for this type of poor answer even yet it is so early i could no longer undergo in strategies a thank you to spell psychology.