News India Live, Digital Desk: In today’s busy life, we often try to strike a balance between office work, family responsibilities and social life. In this competition we leave our mental health behind. Many times such a situation arises when we have everything like career, money, friends and family, yet we feel a strange emptiness in some corner of our mind. If you too are no longer interested in your favorite things or you have forgotten to be happy, then be careful. You may be a victim of anhedonia. What is anhedonia? (What is Anhedonia) Anhedonia is not just general sadness or being ‘mood off’. This is a mental condition in which a person’s ability to feel happiness or joy is reduced or completely lost. Identification: In this, the person does not like even those things which he used to like very much earlier. Like finding your favorite food tasteless, getting irritated by music, or not feeling like going out with friends. Myth: People often ignore it as fatigue or work stress, but persisting in such a situation for a long time can be a sign of a serious mental disorder. Main symptoms of anhedonia: Is it in you too? The signs of anhedonia are very subtle, which are important to recognize: Loss of interest in old hobbies. Considering hobbies as a burden. Emotional emptiness: Feeling neither sadness nor happiness. The mind remains ‘numb’ all the time. Distance in relationships: Not feeling any connection while spending time with loved ones. Apathy: Not being able to feel excitement on any good news or achievement. Irritability: Getting angry on small things and taking everything as a compulsion. Why does this problem occur? According to research, anhedonia is often a main symptom of depression. However, there can be other reasons for this as well: Chronic stress: pressure of work or personal life for a long time. Lack of sleep: Continuous lack of sleep affects the pleasure sensing cells of the brain. Emotional breakdown: Due to any old shock or emotional injury. Chemical imbalance: Lack of ‘feel good’ hormones like dopamine in the brain. When to consult a doctor? If you are feeling as if your life is colorless for weeks. If it has happened and you are not able to smile even if you want to, then take it seriously. Treatment: This condition can be cured through therapy, counseling and in some cases medicines. Self-help: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, adopt a digital detox (distance from social media) and start with short walks or meditation. Remember: Mental health is as important as physical health. It is your right to get your “happiness” back, don’t make it a matter of embarrassment.