New Therapy Rewires the Brain To Restore Joy in Depression Patients

A JAMA Network Open trial found Positive Affect Treatment improved overall clinical status, depression, and anxiety in adults with severe anhedonia.

The 15-session therapy outperformed a treatment focused on reducing negative affect, with benefits lasting at least one month.

The study suggests depression care may work better when it directly rebuilds positive emotion and reward processing, not just reduces negative feelings.

Researchers say this approach could help lower relapse and suicidality risk in major depression.