>[!abstract] >Anhedonia is the diminished ability to experience pleasure or interest in activities that are normally rewarding, often manifesting as emotional flatness or disengagement. It is a core symptom of major depressive disorder but also appears in other conditions such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and substance withdrawal. Psychologically, it reflects a disruption in motivation and reward processing; neurologically, it is linked to dysfunction in dopaminergic pathways. Anhedonia highlights the role of pleasure and anticipation in mental health, underscoring how their absence can profoundly impair well-being and drive. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Mood disorders]] >- **West** (similar): [[Apathy]] >- **East** (different): [[Hedonia]], [[Peak experience]] >- **South** (downstream): [[Social anhedonia]] (loss of pleasure specifically in social interactions)