Anhedonia is a common symptom, especially among adults with major depressive disorder in the US. It is not just a simple loss of the ability to feel pleasure. Studies have shown that the severity of anhedonia is associated with various clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes (Kale H, et al., 2025).
In terms of clinical outcomes, more severe anhedonia may mean that patients have more serious symptoms of major depressive disorder. It can make the treatment of the disease more difficult and reduce the effect of treatment. For humanistic outcomes, anhedonia can greatly affect the quality of life of patients. They may lose interest in things they used to enjoy, such as hobbies, socializing with friends, or even spending time with family. This can make them feel isolated and unhappy, which in turn worsens their mental state.
Economically, anhedonia also has an impact. Due to the influence of this symptom, patients may not be able to work normally, resulting in a decrease in work efficiency or even inability to work. This will bring a burden to their families and society. At the same time, the need for more treatment and care because of severe anhedonia will also increase medical expenses.
Treatments for Anhedonia
Non-invasive Brain Stimulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation is a treatment method that has been studied for reducing anhedonia and apathy in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. A meta-analysis conducted by Li X and others (2025) shows that this method has a certain effect.
Non-invasive brain stimulation does not require surgery, which is relatively safe and easy to accept by patients. It works by stimulating specific areas of the brain to adjust the brain's function, thereby improving symptoms such as anhedonia. Although the specific effect may vary from person to person, it provides a new option for the treatment of anhedonia.
rTMS on DLPFC
One of treatment methods is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Kazemi R and colleagues (2025) studied the effect of DLPFC rTMS on anhedonia and alpha asymmetry in depressed patients.
The study found that rTMS on DLPFC can help improve anhedonia in depressed patients. Alpha asymmetry in the brain is related to emotional regulation, and this treatment may also have an impact on alpha asymmetry, thereby playing a role in improving symptoms. This provides a targeted treatment approach for patients with anhedonia.
Current and Future Treatments
Serretti A (2025) discussed current and future treatments for anhedonia. At present, in addition to the non-invasive brain stimulation and rTMS mentioned above, there are other treatment methods. These may include drug treatments, psychological therapies, etc.
Drug treatments need to be prescribed by doctors according to the specific situation of patients. Psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help patients change their negative thoughts and behaviors, thereby alleviating anhedonia. For the future, researchers are continuing to explore new treatment methods, hoping to find more effective and safer ways to help patients get rid of the trouble of anhedonia.
Conclusion
Anhedonia is a symptom that has a great impact on patients with major depressive disorder and other mental illnesses, involving clinical, humanistic, and economic aspects. At present, there are various treatment methods being studied and applied, such as non-invasive brain stimulation, rTMS on DLPFC, as well as existing drug and psychological therapies. With the continuous development of medical research, it is expected that more effective treatments for anhedonia will be available in the future, helping patients improve their quality of life.
References:
Kale H, Cambron-Mellott MJ, Drissen T, Perkowski K, King-Concialdi K, Jha MK. Association between anhedonia severity and clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes among US adults with major depressive disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2025 Aug 1;28(8):pyaf048. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaf048. PMID: 40600663; PMCID: PMC12319313.
Li X, Man ISC, Shao R, Zhao X, Wu S, Liu Z, Lin K. The effect of non-invasive brain stimulation in reducing anhedonia and apathy in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2025 Nov 1;388:119561. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.119561. Epub 2025 May 31. PMID: 40456469.
Serretti A. Anhedonia: Current and future treatments. PCN Rep. 2025 Mar 23;4(1):e70088. doi: 10.1002/pcn5.70088. PMID: 40129874; PMCID: PMC11930767.
Kazemi R, Rostami R, Hadipour AL, Zandbagleh A, Khomami S, Kiaee N, Coetzee JP, Philips A, Mausoof Adamson M. Effect of DLPFC rTMS on anhedonia and alpha asymmetry in depressed patients. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 6;15(1):899. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-85057-w. PMID: 39762503; PMCID: PMC11704047.
