Anhedonia in Teens: Signs, Causes, and Support
November 22, 2025
Active participation in sports, hobbies, and extracurricular activities is a positive sign of a teenager’s happiness and well-being. However, when a teen has lost interest in activities that they used to enjoy, it could point to mental or emotional struggles.
Anhedonia in teens is defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a reduced ability to experience pleasure from things that were once rewarding.1 While it is normal for interests to change as we grow and develop, teens bored with everything may need parental or professional support for a deeper issue.
It is not always easy for parents to see when their child is struggling, as teenagers under pressure often become withdrawn. To help parents understand what is going on and get the guidance they need, this article will explain:
The definition of anhedonia in teens- The causes of anhedonia
- Signs of depression in teens
- How to seek effective help for teen depression
What Is Anhedonia in Teens?
As explained above, anhedonia is a term used by the APA to describe a lack of pleasure in both regular activities and objectively rewarding stimuli.1 One way researchers measure anhedonia in teens is through self-report surveys. These ask teens to rate their pleasure response to activities that are deemed “commonly pleasant”, such as viewing a picturesque landscape.1
In general, when a teen reports consistently low pleasure ratings, it may indicate higher levels of anhedonia. A mental health assessment for teens can then be carried out to find out why the teen lost interest in activities that were previously important to them.
Studies that adapted adult anhedonia scales for adolescents found that teens mainly lose pleasure in simple sensory and social experiences. However, other symptoms measured on adult scales tend to appear only in adults.1 This means that teenagers experience anhedonia in their own way, so support and treatment need to reflect those differences.
What Are the Causes of Anhedonia?
The reasons why teens stop enjoying hobbies and other daily activities can be complex, but a number of studies have identified common risk factors for anhedonia.
One major risk factor is early exposure to negative events in childhood.2 Most notably, children who experience trauma are more likely to develop serious symptoms of psychiatric disorders, including anhedonia. Researchers have explored why this happens and found that childhood can affect the brain’s biology.
Specifically, abnormal cortisol levels and changes in the amygdala,2,3 (an important part of the brain’s reward system), are two biological links between early trauma, anhedonia in teens, and later mental health difficulties.
In addition to biological factors, studies also show that an adolescent’s environment has a large impact on developing anhedonia and other mental health problems.3 For example, interpersonal relationship issues and increased academic stress are two environmental factors associated with anhedonia in teens.3
Excessive stress in other areas of life can also contribute to teenage burnout symptoms and overall unhappiness. It may not always be possible to know how your child is doing when they’re out of the house, but if you are worried, you may be able to contact their school counselor for mental health support.3
Understanding these potential risk factors and the signs of mood changes in teenagers is important for timely and effective intervention.
What Are the Signs of Depression in Teens?
In addition to anhedonia, there are other signs of depression in teens that may be mistaken for something else. For example, some teenagers become irritated or angry more easily, and while these behavioral changes can be frustrating or upsetting for parents, they may signal developing depression.4
Another common symptom of depression in teens is constant negative thinking, known scientifically as “rumination.” This is supported by recent studies, which found that teens who ruminate frequently often score higher on measures of depression.5
Depression in teens can also appear through physical changes. These may include trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, fatigue, and changes in diet or weight.4 Social withdrawal is another key sign and is often linked to both anhedonia and depression in adolescence.4
Furthermore, there are several other types of depression beyond major depressive disorder. One example is dysthymic disorder, a chronic, milder form of depression linked to anhedonia. Another is seasonal affective disorder, which causes low mood and social isolation between October and February for at least two consecutive years.4
Recognizing and responding to these symptoms can stop the negative cycle from progressing. However, parents should be aware of more serious signs that could suggest suicidal thoughts, even if typical signs of depression in teens aren’t present. Some teens may talk about suicide before an attempt, while others may give away possessions that are important to them without explanation.4
Overall, depression can look different in teenagers compared to young children or adults. Symptoms also vary widely from teen to teen, so it’s important to stay alert to possible risk factors.
Seeking Help for Teen Depression
Knowing the best course of action can feel overwhelming for parents, but a mental health evaluation for teens by a qualified professional can help determine the best form of treatment. The important thing to understand is that there are several effective options for treating depression in adolescence.
This section will explore some of the most common approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),4,6 interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT),4,8 and medication therapy,4,6 as well as novel approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)6 and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).7
CBT for Depression Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually the first-line treatment for teen depression and has the strongest research support for its effectiveness.4,6,8 CBT helps teens understand the link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and then replace unhelpful or negative thought patterns with healthier ones.8 It also uses behavioral techniques to improve mood and motivation.8 Some studies show that combining parent training with individual psychotherapy sessions can produce long-term benefits.8 More recent studies are also exploring the benefits of group CBT programs and technology-based CBT for adolescents.8
IPT and Adolescent Depression
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has also been shown to be effective in treating depression in teens. IPT focuses on helping teenagers understand how their relationships affect their mood and teaches positive interpersonal skills to support healthy connections.8 Newer studies have also explored increasing family involvement in IPT and adapting the therapy for school settings.8
Medication Therapy
When used in conjunction with psychotherapy, antidepressants can be effective for treating major depressive disorder in adolescents. Among the most common medications for teen depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).4,6,8 However, fluoxetine (Prozac) is currently the only SSRI recommended as a first-line treatment for depression. Other SSRIs may cause higher rates of side effects, including emotional blunting, when teens feel numb or detached.6
Overall, the research on antidepressants in adolescents is mixed, so it’s important to consult a qualified doctor before starting any medication therapy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS is a noninvasive treatment for depression used in adults and, more recently, adolescents.6,9 It involves stimulating specific areas of the brain with magnetic pulses to target dysfunction related to negative thought patterns and feelings of hopelessness.
TMS has been shown to be highly effective for people with treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation.6,9 Furthermore, some studies suggest that the effectiveness of TMS in treating depression and suicidality may actually be higher for adolescents than adults.9 One potential benefit of TMS over medication therapy is that there are limited reported side effects, with most studies recording some dizziness or headaches, which typically subside after treatment ends.9
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Another emerging treatment option for depression in adolescents is EMDR.6,7 It was developed in 1987 and is based on the theory that stressful events in childhood can disrupt the way we process information.7
Adolescents undergoing EMDR will work with a trained therapist who will guide them through traumatic events while stimulating both sides of the body through eye movements.7
The goal of EMDR is to enable a patient to reorganize their thoughts and reevaluate their response to stressful and traumatic situations in the past.7 A recent study showed that combining EMDR with medication therapy resulted in a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and rumination thinking in adolescents.7
Understanding the range of available treatments is important, as depression care for teens should always be tailored to the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Mission Prep: Offering Teen Emotional Health Support
At Mission Prep, our trained practitioners are dedicated to providing the most effective mental health care for teens and their families. We offer outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and residential mental health treatment to cater to every level of need.
We know that finding the right help can feel overwhelming, but if you have been searching for “teen counselling near me”, we can help make it simple. Call us today to speak with a qualified mental health professional. We’ll take the time to listen to your situation, ask and answer questions, and offer personalized recommendations to get your child on the path to mental wellness.
References
- Leventhal, A. M., Unger, J. B., Audrain-McGovern, J., Sussman, S., Volk, H. E., & Strong, D. R. (2015). Measuring anhedonia in adolescents: a psychometric analysis. Journal of personality assessment, 97(5), 506-514.doi:10.1080/00223891.2015.1029072
- Gupta, T., Eckstrand, K. L., & Forbes, E. E. (2024). Annual Research Review: Puberty and the development of anhedonia–considering childhood adversity and inflammation. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65(4), 459-480. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13955
- Li, S. (2023). Anhedonia, a symptom of depressive disorder in adolescents. SHS Web of Conferences, 20, 03009. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20232003009
- Bhatia, S. K., & Bhatia, S. C. (2007). Childhood and adolescent depression. American family physician, 75(1), 73-80. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0101/p73.html
- Wilkinson, P. O., Croudace, T. J., & Goodyer, I. M. (2013). Rumination, anxiety, depressive symptoms and subsequent depression in adolescents at risk for psychopathology: a longitudinal cohort study. BMC psychiatry, 13(1), 250. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/13/250
- Chiappini, S., Sampogna, G., Ventriglio, A., Menculini, G., Ricci, V., Pettorruso, M., Volpe U., & Martinotti, G. (2025). Emerging strategies and clinical recommendations for the management of novel depression subtypes. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 25(4), 443-463. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2025.2470973
- Zheng, S., Shen, Y., Geng, F., Ye, M., Song, S., Wang, R., Zhang, S., Ou, Y., & Zhou, X. (2025). Effects of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing on depressive symptoms, stress and rumination in adolescents with depression: a randomised controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 16(1), 2488558. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2488558
- Weersing, V. R., Goger, P., Schwartz, K. T., Baca, S. A., Angulo, F., & Kado-Walton, M. (2025). Evidence-Base Update of Psychosocial and Combination Treatments for Child and Adolescent Depression. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 54(1), 1-51. Doi: 10.1080/15374416.2024.2384022
- Sun, Y., Liu, X., Li, Y., Zhi, Q., & Xia, Y. (2024). Effectiveness of individualized rTMS under sMRI guidance in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adolescents with depressive disorders: an open-label study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1485878. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1485878
