Anhedonia

views updated May 23 2018

ANHEDONIA

This term refers to a clinical condition in which a human or an experimental animal cannot experience positive emotional states derived from obtaining a desired or biologically significant stimulus. Generally, certain stimuli serve as positive reinforcers in normal individuals (e.g., food, water, the company of friends). "Positive reinforcement" is a descriptive term used by behavioral scientists to denote an increase in the probability of a behavior that is contingent on the presentation of biologically significant stimuli, such as food or water.

Anhedonia may be idiopathic (of unknown cause), may occur as a side effect of certain drugs (for example, the Neuroleptics), which act as dopamine-receptor antagonists, or may be an aspect of certain psychiatric disorders, such as depression. It is conjectured that a state of anhedonia may occur during the "crash" that follows a prolonged bout of drug self-administration, particularly Cocaine or amphetamine-like stimulants.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dackis, C. A., and Gold, M. S. (1985). New concepts in cocaine addiction: The dopamine depletion hypothesis. Neuroscience Biobehavioral Review, 9, 469-477.

Wise, R. A. (1985). The anhedonia hypothesis: Mark III. Behavior and Brain Science, 8, 178-186.

Wise, R. A. (1982). Neuroleptics and operant behavior: The anhedonia hypothesis. Behavior and Brain Science, 5, 39-87.

Anthony Phillips

Anhedonia

views updated May 23 2018

Anhedonia

Anhedonia is a condition in which someone cannot experience pleasure or positive emotions. Anhedonia is often a symptom of depression and can also occur with other diseases, such as thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, migraine, brain tumors, and epilepsy. Anhedonia can be a side effect of some medications, particularly those for treating high blood pressure. Some researchers also believe that crack users experience severe anhedonia, following a binge. In an attempt to relieve this anhedonia, they are driven to use more crack.

see also Crack.

Anorectic

See Appetite Suppressant

Anorexia

See Eating Disorders

anhedonia

views updated May 18 2018

anhedonia (an-hee-doh-niă) n. a reduction in or total loss of the feeling of pleasure in acts that normally give pleasure.

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