Meuret and Craske find Positive Affect Treatment helps depression patients feel joy
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 6
Meuret and Craske find Positive Affect Treatment helps depression patients feel joy
7 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 6
In three randomized clinical trials, the 15-session therapy outperformed traditional treatment on anhedonia and, unexpectedly, also reduced negative emotions, researchers said.
PAT teaches patients to add positive activities, anticipate pleasure and savour good moments, aiming to retrain the brain’s reward system and strengthen motivation, connection and meaning.
Experts called the results promising but said larger independent studies are still needed for anhedonia, a common, dangerous depression symptom often left insufficiently treated.
Could teaching the brain to find joy be the key to treating depression where standard medications have consistently failed?
As new VR and digital tools emerge, is the future of mental health about actively building happiness, not just managing sadness?
Targeting Positive Emotions: PAT’s Neuroscience-Based Approach Yields Lasting Relief for Severe Anhedonia
Overview
A groundbreaking clinical trial in April 2026 introduced Positive Affect Treatment (PAT), a therapy designed to rebuild the brain's reward system by focusing on enhancing positive emotions rather than reducing negative ones. PAT showed significantly greater and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and anhedonia compared to traditional treatments. These benefits were driven mainly by patients' increased anticipation and enjoyment of rewards, which restored hope and motivation. While currently limited to specialized centers, efforts are underway to develop digital versions of PAT to expand access. Experts emphasize the need for pragmatic trials, therapist training, and collaboration to overcome challenges and fully realize PAT's potential as a transformative mental health intervention.