Depression's Effect on Pleasure Is Real

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The idea that something is real if only if you can see it with your eyes is frankly medieval. First of all, neuroimaging is a statistical science, and like all statistics, can be terribly misleading if not used correctly. So just because a brain scan says it's so doesn't necessarily make it so. Second, we didn't need brain scans to tell us that one of the effects of depression is anhedonia, that's one of its symptoms! Saying that the effect of depression on pleasure is real is like saying the effect of a hammer on a nail is real. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be depression (or a hammer). Neuroimaging is a very important science and my criticism of this article is in no way a criticism of the researchers. But the media need to understand that brain scans are not reality. They are only a picture of reality.

Alessandro of NY 9:55AM August 24, 2009

I've been suffering from depression this last year and the main thing that's been hard is that I don't 'feel' music anymore. I no longer get that rush, that empathy, or inspiration from music. Music was my life. I've seen hundreds of bands, some legendary, I played guitar for 6 years but now nothing can touch me. The feeling is there but dulled. Only 2 or 3 certain songs still affect me, but even then no deep feeling, not how it was.
All you read about on the net is how music therapy can help blah blah. I'm sure it can, but I had hoped that this lack of musical enjoyment wasn't me, its the depression.
Gives me hope that the feeling will return.

dave 9:48AM August 24, 2009