Having someone tell you thanks is one of the best feelings in the world. That was one of the reasons I felt good when I had my help desk job. People were always so grateful when you bailed them out of some problem. If you are not hearing "thanks" from your parents or brothers, maybe they too suffer from not hearing it often enough. They may have forgotten how good it feels.
Volunteering is also a great way to get to hear a "thank you" from time to time. It may not be the one you are looking for, but it all helps.