Bimbo Bear Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I've been on Abilify now for about 5 or 6 months and I've noticed something unfortunate while I've been taking it: My ability to have fun has disappeared. I can't feel joy for things anymore and hobbies don't seem to do anything for me. I know people who feel normal can usually have fun and enjoy hobbies, so why can't I? Is it the medication? Is it not working as it should? I feel like I'm flat out normal and not happy or sad anymore. But because I can't enjoy hobbies as I used to, something just doesn't feel right. Any thoughts or opinions on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable. It's called a negative symptom, whereas there are also positive symptoms like mania. It is seen across several disorders, like depression.The usual drugs that I hear about on the boards that seem to work are Abilify. Wellbutrin, and others. For me anhedonia is treated with both those meds but really Abilify made the bigger difference. I had to go to 10 and finally 15 mg to stamp it out. I don't know if you have anhedonia but you sure describe it very well. What happens if you take more Abilify, say 10 mgs ? Have you had any experiences with higher doses ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amskray Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I was really suffering from anhedonia for many years ,even while taking a range of antidepressants. My helpful psychiatrist would say "that's how it is when you're depressed " . It wasn't until a 2 1/2 month stay at a psychotherapeutic clinic (I am fortunate enough to live in Germany where such treatment is available even for not-wealthy people ) that I had the chance to really focus on me and I started exercising,changed my eating habits, worked on hobbies, socialized and had psychotherapy, body-awareness -the whole program - that I started to really experience joy again. This treatment should be available to ALL of us! I also take Duloxetine, 90 mg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintalto Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Some drugs really flattened me and took joy out of my life, it was a matter of finding the right ones, I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eilatan Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I'm on aripiprazole and was blaming my non joy on it. But it's hard to say if it's caused by depression or the meds 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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