Yup, that's it exactly! I am never happier then when I am either experiencing something new or solving an interesting puzzle (or skydiving.)
The sheer amount of discomfort I experience when I'm not mentally engaged is torture and I'm really hoping there will be a better, permanent solution out there rather than popping Adderal for the rest of my lifel.

No, I don't think I have anhedonia, although I really had to think about it after reading the wiki entry.* I can and do feel pleasure from social interaction. I actually really enjoy hanging out with a small group (no more than 6 or so) of close friends. The reason I don't have friends is a combination of shyness (I have a ton of trouble talking to new people in uncontrolled situations), introversion (too much stimulation can make me tired), aging (my wife and I chose not to have kids, all of our couple friends are popping out babies), depression, work schedule and environment, familial tragedies and so on.

I do have something else that seems related, but I'm not sure if there's a term for it. Basically, thee's always a part of me that is detached, self-conscious and self-aware that I cannot give into the moment. I cannot give into passion, intense emotion, etc because I end up feeling ridiculous. That's not to say I don't feel emotions. I just can't ever lose control and give in to the moment**. I'm not sure how to begin to deal with that. How do you try to get out of your head? I can't remember a time when I wasn't intensely aware of my own behavior. I'm not much of a drinker, but when I do get drunk, I'm always quite aware of my behavior and what I'm doing.

The contrarian thing is a self-esteem issue. I think I'm trying to prove how smart I am by pointing out flaws with other people's arguments and plans. It's not a behavior I learned, it's some weird sort of nerd-instinct. I think, in my head, when I point out a flaw in someone's argument or fact, I'm hoping for praise about my keen insight, intellect or some other ********. Of course, the reality is that no one enjoys having everything they say nit-picked and torn apart. I'm pretty sure I've been doing that most of life and once I really became aware of it, I've made a pretty strong effort to keep it under wraps. It can be hard though, as there is a strong compulsion to correct people when they are wrong. On the other hand, I'd make a great no-man if anyone needs a professional devil's advocate.

I guess I should mention this is a particular stressor in my life in that, somehow, my family and I have drifted apart politically. There's a bit of MAD truce between me and my family to prevent screaming matches. I basically keep myself estranged from them, as much as one can in a family business.

Other than my family, I don't have much of an anger issue as I try to avoid conflict whenever possible.

Thanks, I'll look into neurotransmitter testing and bring it up with the neurologist.

*Just a disclaimer that I know one cannot accurately self-diagnose oneself, especially without training or study in that field.

**Which, yes, does lead to intimacy problems as well a general discomfort trying to deal with other emotional situations. I