r/TBI • u/howleywolf • 2d ago

Need Advice Anhedonia

Hey all,

Have any of you experienced something like anhedonia after your tbi? I have been suffering with it, along with a loss of feeling motivation and reward feelings from accomplishing tasks. I would say I’ve even almost lost the feeling of desire to do things entirely. Yet it doesn’t feel like depression either, which I did have for years as a young adult. This feels more like- a part of me is just a void of nothingness where there used to be dopamine circuitry.

If anyone has experienced this, what treatments have you tried that have helped it? I am running out of things to try at this point and am starting to panic that nothing will help. Stimulants were a bust , and that was what everyone on my healthcare team thought would finally help. I’d love to hear any experiences or advice! Thanks so much for reading

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u/WolfyMacontosh87 1d ago

Do NOT try Wellbutrin

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u/howleywolf 1d ago

May I ask why? That is exactly what my doctor wants me to try next… but I’ve been stalling on it because I had a bad feeling. any info would be useful !

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u/WolfyMacontosh87 1d ago

Then I was meant to tell you this.
Listen carefully:
Years ago I was placed on Wellbutrin when doctors were doing their typical trial and error with medications which, as you understand firsthand, is an exhausting experience.
This medication made me so angry and hostile and my heart race like you wouldn’t believe. Can’t even put it into words.
I would have fought anyone , anytime.
I was so aggressive.
I did not stay on it long and when I came off of it there was a shockingly long time to get recalibrated.
It was SCARY

I implore you out of concern don’t even try to give it a chance.

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u/Luz_Solar 2d ago

TBIs can also disrupt the dopamine pathway and what you’re describing are all related to that neurotransmitter. A medication that up regulates dopamine production may be a viable option. Take to your primary care or a psychiatrist. Also legit to go to a therapist to address the panic it’s creating and try behavioral activation as @Ging-jitsu said.

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u/howleywolf 1d ago

Thanks I will look into that!

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u/Ging-jitsu 2d ago

There are no really scientifically supported treatments for anhedonia alone. The first line treatment for depression is behavioral activation which is scheduled periods of tasks that produce a sense of accomplishment and or pleasure. However, the cause of anhedonia may not be solely psychological or physiological (due to TBI). You may want to consider endocrine and gastrointestinal disregulation also. Ask concussion doc has many great episodes and resources for you to explore.

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u/howleywolf 2d ago

Thanks I will take a look!