The rise of Anhedonia: How our modern indulgence in entertainment is fostering a serious mental health issue

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last 10-20 years (plus or minus), then you’ve heard or read about the warnings of over-indulging in internet usage, whether it’s binge-watching video content, or spending hours every day engaging in social media.

Now, we’re seeing some of the results of not heeding those warnings, with the rise of anhedonia.

THREE STORIES OF INDULGENCE AND DISMAY
These are only partly fictional stories – the person named is fictional but they represent a conglomeration of real-life experiences from real people:

Sarah
Sarah was once a vibrant and outgoing individual, always eager to explore new activities and connect with friends. However, as social media platforms and online streaming services became increasingly integrated into her daily routine, she found herself spending countless hours scrolling through feeds and binge-watching shows.

At first, the constant stimulation provided a temporary escape from the stresses of life. But gradually, Sarah noticed a shift in her mood. Despite the seemingly endless entertainment options at her fingertips, she began to feel a profound sense of apathy and indifference — anhedonia had taken hold.

As her addiction to online entertainment grew, Sarah found less and less pleasure in the simple things that once brought her joy. Going for a walk in nature or meeting friends for coffee no longer sparked the same enthusiasm.

Jake
Jake, a young professional, prided himself on staying up-to-date with the latest trends and pop culture. He spent hours each day consuming social media feeds, eagerly absorbing memes, status updates, and news articles. In the evenings, he would unwind by binge-watching movies and shows on streaming platforms.

Initially, Jake found solace and entertainment in his online activities. However, over time, he started to feel a sense of unfulfillment and a growing disconnect from the real world, despite constantly engaging with digital content.

The more Jake immersed himself in the online realm, the more his real-life relationships suffered. He found himself canceling plans with loved ones in favor of staying home and scrolling through his feeds. Even surrounded by friends and family, he felt a persistent sense of loneliness and dissatisfaction.

As his addiction deepened, Jake noticed his once-vibrant personality fading. Everyday tasks felt like burdensome chores, and activities that once brought him happiness, like playing games with friends or attending social events, no longer held the same appeal.

Ethan
Ethan, once an enthusiastic gamer, poured his life into online worlds. He thrived in the camaraderie of his guild, the thrill of victory, and the constant stream of new challenges. Sleep became a luxury, meals an afterthought, and real-life friendships withered.

One morning, after a particularly grueling all-nighter, Ethan logged off to find a sunrise painting the sky a breathtaking orange. He stepped outside, the cool air a shock against his sleep-deprived body. Yet, the vibrant colors and sounds of the real world held no appeal. He felt a hollow ache where excitement should be, a numbing indifference to everything around him. It was then Ethan realized his virtual reality had become a cage, robbing him of the simple joys and connections he once cherished.

ANHEDONIA AND DOPAMINE OVERLOAD
Before we go any further, we need a clear understanding of what this odd-sounding word, “anhedonia,” is. Anhedonia refers to an inability or reduced ability to experience pleasure. It can manifest in two distinct ways:

• • Motivational component – A decrease in the drive to seek out once pleasurable experiences (e.g., anticipating a movie release or a family visit).
  • Consummatory component – A reduced ability to feel positive emotions during activities that used to bring pleasure (e.g., spending time with friends, enjoying meals, or pursuing hobbies).

People may experience one or both components of anhedonia.

This serious mental health issue isn’t something new, it’s actually a core symptom of major depressive disorder, as well as other conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorder, chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum disorders. There are also two “types” of anhedonia:

• • Physical anhedonia – This type involves reduced interest and pleasure in physical experiences such as food, exercise, and sexual interactions.
  • Social anhedonia – While correlated with physical anhedonia, social anhedonia specifically relates to deficits in enjoying social interactions, music, and other social activities.

THE NEW CONCERN
If anhedonia isn’t new, what’s the new concern?

Researchers in various fields relating to human behavior are concerned that excessive indulgence in various forms of entertainment, especially online streaming and excessive engagement in social media, are directly contributing to an increase in cases of anhedonia. Some of the current theories include the following:

Desensitization. The theory suggests that excessive exposure to highly stimulating content online, like fast-paced videos or the constant barrage of social media updates, can desensitize the brain’s reward system. This desensitization could lead to a diminished ability to experience pleasure from other, less stimulating activities in real life.

Dopamine overload. Excessive entertainment can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. However, constantly seeking these “dopamine hits” through entertainment can lead to a tolerance over time, requiring increasingly stimulating content to achieve the same level of satisfaction. This could make it harder to find enjoyment in other aspects of life that offer a more gradual and natural dopamine release.

Displacement of meaningful activities. Spending excessive amounts of time on entertainment platforms can displace activities that might bring genuine fulfillment, like quality time with your spouse and family, hobbies, social interaction, or pursuing personal goals (or spiritual values like loving God above all and giving priority to seeking His kingdom). This lack of engagement in meaningful activities could contribute to feelings of emptiness and a lack of overall life satisfaction, further impacting anhedonia.

OVERCOMING AN ENTERTAINMENT-INDUCED ANHEDONIA
The steps involved in overcoming an addictive indulgence in entertainment that has resulted in anhedonia can be different for each person, but here are some common components:

Professional help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be particularly helpful in addressing addictive behaviors and anhedonia. Therapists can work with individuals to identify underlying triggers and develop coping strategies to manage cravings and regulate emotions effectively. Behavioral therapies, such as contingency management or motivational enhancement therapy, can provide structured approaches to modify behaviors associated with addiction and increase motivation for positive change.

Medication. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of depression or other underlying mental health conditions contributing to anhedonia. Antidepressants, particularly those that affect serotonin and dopamine levels, may be beneficial when used in conjunction with therapy.

Lifestyle changes. Encouraging individuals to engage in activities that promote pleasure and fulfillment outside of the addictive behaviors is essential. This could include exercise, hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing meaningful goals and interests.

Social support. Building a strong support network can be crucial in recovery. Friends, family, or support groups can offer encouragement, understanding, and accountability throughout the treatment process.

Limiting access. Setting boundaries and limits on the use of online streaming platforms and social media can help reduce exposure to triggers and create opportunities for alternative, more fulfilling activities.

Creating structure. Establishing a daily routine that includes enjoyable and purposeful activities can provide a sense of stability and direction, reducing the likelihood of turning to addictive behaviors out of boredom or lack of direction.

Appropriate self-care and lifestyle changes. Prioritize quality sleep to improve overall well-being. Regular exercise has mood-enhancing effects and can alleviate anhedonic symptoms. A balanced diet rich in nutrients can positively impact mood. Avoid isolation.

A SPIRITUAL COMPONENT
It’s important to consider that sliding into a desire to indulge in entertainment to such a degree that it impacts your mental health in the form of anhedonia may have more than a clinical root cause, but likely has a very real spiritual component to its cause also.

What can that look like? Although the Bible doesn’t specifically use the term “anhedonia,” it does address conditions and struggles that can align with its symptoms. Here are some possible spiritual root causes explored from a biblical worldview and Christian theological perspective:

Separation from God. A fundamental principle in Christianity is that a thriving relationship with God is the source of true joy and fulfillment. When this connection is disrupted by sin, doubt, or spiritual distance, it can lead to a sense of emptiness and lack of pleasure in life’s activities.

Unconfessed sin. Sin creates a barrier between us and God. If there is unconfessed or unaddressed sin in a person’s life, it can lead to a burden of guilt, shame, and a disconnection from God’s grace. This inner turmoil can manifest as emotional numbness or an inability to experience joy.

Worldly focus and idolatry. The Bible warns against placing our hope and satisfaction in worldly possessions, achievements, or fleeting pleasures. If our focus shifts away from God as the ultimate source of fulfillment, we become vulnerable to disillusionment and emptiness, even when circumstances may seem favorable.

Lack of gratitude and perspective. Cultivating a heart of thankfulness shifts our focus from what we lack to the blessings we have received. When life feels burdensome, or we lose sight of God’s goodness, it can be difficult to experience joy. Anhedonia might stem from a lack of appreciation for the simple gifts in life.

Trials and suffering. The Bible acknowledges that suffering is part of the human experience. Prolonged trials, grief, or difficult circumstances can understandably lead to emotional and spiritual exhaustion. This can make it difficult to find pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.

If the root cause for experiencing anhedonia is spiritual in nature, consulting with your pastor or a mature church leader, along with a competent Christian counselor, can be an effective means of developing the right responses and actions needed to overcome the powerful and pervasive emptiness that is anhedonia.

Scotty