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When you begin to lose interest in everything — your hobbies, passions, and entertainment sources — it becomes difficult to function. This loss of interest is known as anhedonia — a main symptom of depression. Loss of interest can be an overwhelming and far-reaching symptom that impacts your relationships with friends and family, your sexual health, work and school productivity, and hobby enjoyment. Anhedonia and loss of interest are thought to be caused by low serotonin levels. If you find that you’re just not able to enjoy life anymore, you are not alone. In this guide to anhedonia, you’ll learn coping skills for those times when you find you’re losing interest in everything. Let’s get into it. Want to speak 1:1 with an expert about your anxiety & depression? What does it mean when you suddenly lose interest in everything?If you aren’t sure whether this all applies to you, then it may be helpful to examine what we mean by this feeling of a loss of interest. Healthline explains that anhedonia (a loss of interest) can have several different presentations: “Social anhedonia is often defined as an increased disinterest in all aspects of interpersonal relationships and a lack of pleasure in social situations. Physical anhedonia is an inability to feel tactile pleasures such as eating, touching, or sex.” While not all researchers agree with this categorization, it may help you to better understand some symptoms related to loss of interest, like:
Loss of interest is a symptom of depression as well as other mental health conditions. Symptoms of Major Depressive DisorderLoss of interest in things you once enjoyed is often a main symptom of depression. About 6% of adults in the United States have had at least one major depressive episode, so you are far from alone in experiencing this. So, if you don’t yet have a diagnosis, but are also experiencing other common symptoms of depression, it may explain why you’re losing interest in everything or everyone. Some other very common symptoms of depression to keep an eye out for include:
Depression can manifest in different ways for different people, so even if you are experiencing other symptoms not on the list above, you should not rule out depression as underlying your loss of interest until you speak with a professional. How to reconnect with the things you once lovedIf depression is at the root of the loss of interest you’re experiencing, medication and therapy are the most effective way to get back to feeling like yourself. In addition to your treatment, here are some tips that may help you get back on your feet and return to the things you once loved:
Mindfulness and self-care techniques that can help combat a loss of interestWhen you are feeling a loss of interest in everything, practicing certain methods of self-care and mindfulness can help to cultivate a more positive mood and feel like yourself again:
Getting professional help: where to turnIf you think your loss of interest is a symptom of depression, or even if you aren’t sure, self-care alone might not be enough. You may need to seek professional help. Speaking to a professional can help you understand your symptoms and determine whether depression is causing your lack of interest in things. Brightside specialists can help you understand, then resolve your symptoms. We offer personalized treatment plans and unlimited access to caring providers who stay by your side at every step. Start by filling out our complimentary online assessment which allows us to better understand your needs and match you with a provider. Whether your treatment plan entails medication, therapy, or a combination of both, Brightside providers are here to help you right from the comfort of your home. The bottom lineLosing interest in things that you used to love can be an extremely disheartening symptom of depression, making it difficult to get back in touch with your passions and relationships. Practicing mindfulness, trying 30-day challenges, finding a buddy, or returning to your roots may help for a while, but you may also need a professional to fully get back to feeling like you. Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 https://whatsyourgrief.com/reconnecting-with-your-passions/ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/cultivating-happiness.htm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181880/ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression Why do I lose interest in someone?It's just your personality and social preference at the moment. There may not be a deeper reason why you quickly lose interest in people. Maybe you're in a busy phase in your life, and new friendships aren't your priority. Maybe you're younger and your mind is more fickle than it will eventually be.
How do you fix a loss of interest in someone?Here are nine things you can consider trying if you're starting to feel like your partner is no longer attracted to you.. Focus on your own self-worth. ... . Remind your partner why they were attracted to you from the start. ... . Make an effort to understand your partner's needs. ... . Communicate what you're feeling.. Is it normal to lose interest in a relationship?It's totally normal to have times where you feel more or less in love with your partner. At the same time, it's painful to have stillnesses in a relationship that leave you feeling lost or doubting its future. You may still "love" your partner, and you may still want it to work with them.
Can you suddenly lose interest in someone?It's possible to feel like you've suddenly lost interest in your partner and that you no longer care for them as you once did. This isn't always as sudden as it seems as it can be the result of issues that have been building up for some time.
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