National Institute for Health and Care Research

Targeting Anhedonia in Adolescents: A Single Case Series of a Positive Imagery-Based Early Intervention

Hutchinson et al. (2024) investigate whether a brief positive imagery-based intervention can reduce symptoms of anhedonia and depression in adolescents.

The authors adapted an imagery-based intervention to specifically target anhedonia by strengthening positive future imagery, self-compassion, and positive emotional experiences. The intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable for adolescents and was associated with substantial reductions in depressive symptoms that were maintained at follow-up. Improvements in anhedonia emerged more gradually, with larger gains observed three months after the intervention. Overall, the study provides promising preliminary evidence that positive mental imagery may be a useful early intervention target for adolescent depression and anhedonia.

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