India, April 27 -- Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, affects nearly 90% of people with major depression. It is linked to longer and more severe illness, makes recovery harder, and increases the risk of suicidal behavior. It is also seen in conditions like anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and schizophrenia. However, most standard treatments do not directly address it.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open by researchers from Southern Methodist University and the University of California, Los Angeles suggests a different approach, focusing on building positive emotions instead of just reducing negative ones.
The therapy, called Positive Affect Treatment (PAT), is a 15-session program ...