Help For Families with a Member Who No Longer Enjoys Life/Activities

All of us occasionally lose interest or enjoyment in things we previously find pleasurable. For some people, however, this feeling has become a part of their daily existence and affects how they function. This depressive disorder is known as anhedonia, or the inability to feel good from things or activities that are typically enjoyable.

You may not have experienced real bouts of anhedonia, but there could be someone in your family or someone you know who is suffering from this difficult condition. You may be silently witnessing this person go through it for as long as you remember. If so, it may be time for professional help.

Watching the Struggle

The hardest thing to do is to watch someone struggle with anhedonia and not do anything about it. Being unable to help may feel as troubling as having to go through the problem yourself. If you believe that a loved one or someone you know is exhibiting the symptoms, keep in mind that the psychological problem is treatable.

If the one who is suffering is not family, it is still possible to extend a helping hand. The type and extent of help that you may extend to the person depends on the level of your relationship with them.

Confronting the Challenges

Admittedly, it’s not easy to determine the kind of help to offer your relative considering you have no professional expertise. It can also be quite challenging if the individual is not ready or hesitant to ask for help. For this, your good intention may require careful thought and action for your offer of help to be accepted.

What can you do? If you are a relative, you can consult an expert to understand what you need to know and do, and how to set the stage so medical treatment and counseling can go hand in hand. (This concern/worry about your relative may result in you experiencing physical symptoms yourself.) If you are a parent, you can call now and schedule an appointment for your child (if your child is under 18*). *18 and above must call and schedule the appointment themselves.

Helping a Family Member

There is limit to what family and friends can do, and this is when the professionals step in. Like all psychological issues, it is not best to leave anhedonia untreated. When the symptoms are already interfering with the person’s life, it’s time to make your move by talking to him/her or to the family about seeking professional help or therapy.

As a good friend, you can help by suggesting a counseling service you know has the right treatment to prevent anhedonia draining the fun out of life. Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC therapists can help!

If your friend or family member is an adult, give them info to make the call. If the person is your child (under 18), you will need to make the call to schedule the apt. The call you make now is the decisive time to giving your loved one a new beginning.

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