Anhedonia refers to the diminished ability to feel pleasure in activities that are typically enjoyable. This condition is a fundamental symptom of depression and is also present in several other mental health disorders. For instance, a mother who is anhedonic may not find happiness in playing with her child, a football fan might not feel thrilled when their favorite team wins, and a teenager could feel indifferent about passing a driving test. The term "anhedonia" comes from the Greek words "a-" meaning "without" and "hedone" meaning "pleasure" or "delight." Related terms include hedonism, which is the belief that pleasure is the most important pursuit in life, and hedonist, which describes someone who seeks out pleasure. There is also a term for an excessive and persistent fear of experiencing pleasure.
