Emotional apathy. State of apathy, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness: how to cope

Health

It would seem that what could be simpler to answer the question, what is fatigue and what can cause it? However, how to explain what apathy is, and, most importantly, how to get to the bottom of the reasons for this condition, if it is known that apathy is not ordinary fatigue caused by overwork, but quite complex emotional condition, which can lead to very different reasons. The fact is that by apathy we mean unusual sensation fatigue, exhaustion and lack of energy for no apparent reason. Prolonged apathy is dangerous because it can cause inadequate perception reality, loss of motivation and, as a result, severe depression. In other words, apathy serves alarm signal that there is a malfunction in the body, and he slowly gives in instead of fighting. Before you find out what causes apathy and how to deal with them, you need to understand several basic provisions regarding this emotional disorder.

-- Apathy is a fairly common state of the body, which may well be caused by ordinary overwork.

-- Apathy cannot be ignored because this condition may be a signal of some hidden disease.

-- Apathy can be caused big amount not only physical, but also emotional factors.

-- Healthy image life, including balanced diet and physical education are excellent ways not only to overcome apathy, but also to prevent its occurrence.

MAIN CAUSES OF APATHY

As mentioned above, there can be quite a few reasons for the occurrence of apathy, and their nature can be either physical or emotional. We bring to your attention only a few of the most likely emotional and physical causes of apathy.

Possible physical reasons the occurrence of apathy

-- Physical fatigue syndrome, which can lead to prolonged apathy that does not go away for six months or more.

-- Diffuse disease connective tissue, known as systemic lupus erythematosus (or as it is also called, systemic lupus erythematosus), as well as its associated diseases.

-- Lack of nutrition.

-- Different kinds allergies.

-- Multiple sclerosis.

-- Hypothyroidism is a condition of the body caused by long-term permanent lack of hormones produced thyroid gland

-- Leukemia.

-- AIDS virus.

-- Anemia.

-- Premenstrual syndrome.

-- Menopause.

-- Sleep disturbances caused, for example, by the arrival of a newborn in the house.

-- Headaches associated with migraine and other physical causes.

Possible emotional reasons the occurrence of apathy

-- Moral exhaustion (often caused by the number of commitments made that cannot be fulfilled).

-- Melancholy (caused by a misfortune that happened to someone close to you - illness, death, and so on).

-- Ordinary ( extreme degree boredom or melancholy caused by a monotonous, meaningless existence; complete absence interest in routine matters).

-- Increased levels of fear and worry about something or someone, including yourself.

-- Depressive states and other emotional reasons.

WHO IS AT RISK? TREATMENT OF APATHY

Due to the variety of reasons leading to apathy, it is quite difficult to single out one or two risk groups that include people susceptible to this condition. It can only be noted that, quite often, apathy is a symptom of the presence chronic diseases among women. However, as numerous studies show, not only are all ages susceptible to apathy, but also both sexes. This means that men are affected by this unexpectedly difficult emotional state almost as often as women.

Treatment of apathy

As you understand, such an unusual condition as apathy cannot be cured the usual way pills or injections, especially since many do not consider apathy as a disease at all. We present to your attention a list of several of the most popular ways to cure apathy, which should be considered in the light of the reasons that caused this emotional disorder.

-- It is extremely important to establish a routine healthy eating. Regular overeating, as well as exhausting diets, can negatively affect the body, causing it to become exhausted. Sometimes even such a small thing as the inability to regularly have breakfast or lunch due to being very busy can cause apathy. Very often, this disorder is caused by regular consumption of foods high in fat or excessive amounts of sweets. And, on the contrary - rich in iron food, cereals and bread made from whole grain flour (or ground flour), fruits and vegetables can supply your body with nutrients that can help overcome apathy. Sometimes it is enough to simply change the habit of eating three times a day, but densely, to the habit of eating in small portions, but five times a day - this gives your body a good head start, relieving it of the dangerous symptoms of overeating.

-- Play sports as much as possible. This isn't about chasing world records; just regular physical exercise as part of morning exercises or an evening visit to the gym should become the norm for you. Keeping yourself in good physical shape, you thereby maintain the amount of internal energy of your body at the same high level . This is especially important if you lead a predominantly sedentary lifestyle associated with work and a sedentary lifestyle associated with rest. Regular moderate exercise is a kind of tranquilizer that prevents the occurrence of complex emotional disorders and moral exhaustion. It is very easy to verify the effectiveness of this method.: once again, when you, walking down the street, feel impending lethargy and apathy, try to suddenly speed up your step and walk a fairly long distance at a fast pace. Rest assured, the creeping apathy will disappear as if by hand.

-- Cool down and try not to overheat (literally). If you work or play (for example, soccer or tennis) in very hot weather, this can also lead to dehydration and exhaustion, causing you to feel lethargic. Also, living in a stuffy and poorly ventilated room plays into the hands of emotional distress. The ideal solution to this situation is to have regular rest opportunities in a cool, dry atmosphere. In hot weather it is also necessary to consume a large number of liquids and try to ventilate the room as often as possible.

-- Rest and relax often. Certainly, this advice It makes sense only if your apathy is caused not by boredom and idleness, but by increased fatigue due to intense or tedious work. Regular good night's sleep coupled with certain relaxation techniques daytime are able to instantly restore vigor and energy to any unstuck person. Plan your day so that in the evening you can attend a yoga class, or at least just meditate a little during the working day to relieve stress and accumulated fatigue.

-- Take a break from routine work more often. Nothing can drain human body in the modern world, faster than routine, monotonous activity day after day, week after week, month after month... Try to come up with some new hobby, which would need to be accessed several times a day. This way, you will have the opportunity to periodically take a break from routine responsibilities. It is noteworthy that if, on the contrary, you have an active and varied job, requiring maximum concentration and energy output, sometimes it can be very useful to find time to be completely quiet and calm several times during the day.

-- Don't take on too much. You can’t do all the work, you can’t earn all the money, and who will need it if you don’t have the strength and desire to spend it later? Delegate your authority if possible. Try to separate your responsibilities at home if you feel like you have too much on your plate. Seek help from your family, friends, and relatives. To make it clearer to you what we're talking about, a simple example can be given: sometimes a person who is busy at work also takes it upon himself to renovate an apartment or house in order to save money, or for some other reason. Don’t strain yourself – subsequent treatment will cost even more than the money you decided to save by not hiring workers.

-- Plan your day and your spending in such a way that you always have the opportunity to do something nice for yourself. Sometimes a healthy dose of selfishness, brought into someone's life of self-sacrifice, can work real miracles.

-- Should you stop consuming? large doses caffeine and alcohol. In the same context, we can mention all kinds of stimulants nervous activity , which include tranquilizers and some types of drugs. Despite the fact that it will indeed be much easier for you in the first days of taking such drugs, further use of these drugs can cause a serious wave of relapse of such strength that the first wave of apathy will seem to you only a slight fatigue.

Should you see a doctor and if so, in what cases?

If you are not sure that the cause of your apathy is any emotional problems, then you should consult a doctor mandatory, because there may be something behind your apathy various problems physiological nature. As for apathy, which is based on emotional problems, practice shows that in most cases people are able to cope with this complex emotional disorder on their own.

Apathy - how to deal with it - if you ask yourself this question, then you understand that your mental state does not suit you.

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What is it: definition

What does apathy or lethargy mean?

Apathy is a symptom. It is expressed in indifference, indifference to what is happening.

The person behaves detachedly and does not strive for active activity. Emotions can be inhibited, you don’t want anything.

It's not just tiredness, as some people think, but a complex emotional state that interferes with normal existence.

Apathy may become defense mechanism mental health, when the body can no longer withstand enormous loads and needs rest.

Overstrain of the nervous system one day leads to the development of apathy, which in the future can develop into full-fledged depression if you do not pay attention to the symptom in time.

Various physical and mental illnesses can be accompanied by apathy, so it is important to find the root cause.

Apathetic person - who is this?

Apathetic - a person who is in a state of apathy or has a tendency towards it. A person has lethargy, it is difficult for him to take active actions.

No emotions, there is a feeling of indifference to what is happening around.

It is difficult to motivate an apathetic person to do something.

He not prone to change he is satisfied with what is happening to him at the moment, or rather, he does not even think about his life and the need to be more active.

He is not interested in events around him and reacts poorly to stimuli.

The result is problems in personal life, work, difficulty maintaining friendships, since to other people an apathetic person seems uninteresting, boring, lethargic.

Causes of occurrence in men and women

Apathy may be a sign various diseases, accompany physical ailments or manifest themselves.

Main reasons:

Apathy does not necessarily develop immediately; months or even years may pass. Therefore, psychologists study not only current life, but also pay attention to events that happened in the past.

Symptoms and signs

To define apathy, you need to know it signs:

Indifference, including to what previously caused disgust.
The monotony of speech is quiet and emotionless.
Previously outlined plans cease to be of interest, new ones do not appear.
The speech contains phrases: I don’t care, leave me alone, I don’t care.
A closed lifestyle, social contacts and public life cease to be of interest; there is no desire to go to various events or meet with friends.
Answers to questions are brief, to the point of being ignored.
Loss of the ability to enjoy life, to be happy, to enjoy the moment.
Previous hobbies cease to please, a person can abandon his hobby, it becomes uninteresting and does not carry any meaning.

The patient may behave inhibited, activity is reduced.

With a pronounced symptom, memory loss and problems with thinking may be observed.

Apathy may manifest itself clearly when others notice the patient's condition.

However there is a hidden option when a person feels depressed, but does not show it. It is in the second case that sudden deaths occur more often.

What are its consequences?

Why is apathy dangerous? If apathy is defense mechanism of the psyche after severe overload, it allows you to restore strength.

In this case, this condition does not last long - up to two weeks. A person independently overcomes what happens to him, and there are no consequences left.

It's harder if it's a feeling becomes chronic. In this case, various violations are observed:

quality of life decreases;
there is a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
the appearance of insomnia. Even if a person is tired, it is difficult for him to fall asleep, sleep may be interrupted;
loss of appetite, the taste of food ceases to please;
constant feeling of weakness and fatigue.

From the psychological point of view it is observed loss of self-confidence, decreased motivation to achieve.

This can lead to problems at work and in your personal life.

Important events are forgotten memory, thinking and attention are impaired.

The longer the patient is in this state, the stronger it becomes.

Relatives and colleagues cannot understand the state of isolation, stop communicating with a person, which ultimately leads to more strong development apathy.

At severe forms Depression may develop, there is a possibility of emotions and suicide attempts.

How to get out of this state?

I don’t want to do anything: how to overcome apathy? Apathy requires treatment, and usually with the right approach it's easy to deal with. If it is a symptom of mental illness, then carry out treatment in accordance with the diagnosis.

A psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist finds out what led to the symptoms. Psychotraumatic situations experienced, the presence of physical ailments, and mental illnesses, including hereditary ones, are studied.

During pregnancy and after childbirth

How to get rid of apathy during early pregnancy?

Happens during pregnancy restructuring of the entire body. A woman is preparing for a new function.

If pregnancy unwanted, then the risk of apathy is high.

What to do:

Try to accept your child and your current situation.
Set up proper nutrition.
Be on site more often fresh air, move more.
Receive support from loved ones, do not reject contacts.
Be sure to visit a doctor, follow his recommendations, and do all the necessary examinations on time.
If you can’t cope on your own, contact a psychologist at the antenatal clinic.

After childbirth, many women experience a feeling of apathy, indifference to your child.

In this case, she definitely needs help so that the condition does not develop into a deep one.

How to cure apathy after childbirth:

A young mother needs rest and time to be alone with herself. It is advisable that relatives can help with this.
In addition to caring for the child, there should be other activities so that life does not become monotonous.
We must try to accept the baby and the changes that have occurred in life.
Medicines are not recommended during breastfeeding; they are taken only in consultation with a doctor.
Meditations work well, they help you relax, unwind, and switch off.

in autumn

How to cope with autumn apathy? Autumn apathy - the problem is common.

The weather is depressing, the days are getting shorter, and the body doesn’t get enough sun.

The grayness around provokes. People prone to depression have apathy may develop every autumn. If you know what's coming dangerous period, it can be prevented.

Create little joys for yourself - life should not be monotonous, organize various events.
Do not deny yourself social contacts, but at the same time find time for relaxation and the opportunity to be completely alone.
Be outside more often, especially during daylight hours.
Organize good lighting at home and at work, as there is not enough sun during this period.
Bring colors into the surrounding interior - make the world around you brighter.
Use green, yellow, orange colors. Don't add too much red - it excites and overstrains the nervous system. Less gray, purple, brown.

Put it at home flowering plants, spread beautiful linen on the bed.
Listen to positive music.
Go to bed at the same time every night. You must get enough sleep. However, sleeping too much is also harmful, normal mode- 7-8 hours.
After waking up, do light gymnastics, help the body wake up. Have a glass clean water room temperature. Take a contrast shower.
Helps cope with apathy: sports, swimming pool. However, at the same time, take into account the amount of load - you should not get tired, but get a boost of energy.

With fatigue and unwillingness to do anything

Complete apathy towards life: how to remove this condition?

A serious condition from which it is impossible to get out, requires contact with a specialist.

Psychologists and psychotherapists, as a rule, help cope with this problem.

Don't give yourself the opportunity to go deeper into your condition. Stop it negative thoughts. Try to pay attention to the world, notice interesting moments around you.

How to overcome apathy and fatigue:

Organize your opportunity good rest.
If the reason bad mood becomes , change it to another.
Communicate as little as possible with negative people who lower your self-esteem.
Do not refuse to communicate with close friends, try to enjoy the contacts.
Do a small exercise during the day - go to the mirror, smile, record this state.
A smile sends a signal to the brain, which provokes positive emotions at least for a short time.

Do the exercise as often as possible, and positive attitude will become a habit.

How to get out of apathy towards everything and start acting if you don’t want anything? The first step is to force yourself, no matter how difficult it may be. If you prefer to spend time lying on the sofa, try changing your familiar image life.

Create a daily routine and include mandatory walks in the fresh air. At first, 15-20 minutes is enough. Then we take longer walks. Walk different routes, notice interesting things around you.

Stop repeating to yourself mentally and out loud that you don’t want anything.. Stop such thoughts, replace them with others, more joyful ones.

Useful autogenic training and self-tuning. Repeat often: I am strong, I do, I can, I am active, cheerful, determined to win, I can win. Come up with code words for yourself that will increase your mood and activity.

Treatment

How to treat and what tablets can be used? Medicines are prescribed only by a doctor.

If the remedy is chosen incorrectly, it can lead to a worsening of the condition.

In some cases, tranquilizers may be prescribed.

Drug treatment shown only in severe condition. Vitamins are used as supporting drugs.

Prevention: how to prevent attacks?

If you know there is a possibility of getting worse mental state,try to take action in time. For people with a weak nervous system and a tendency to depression, proper rest and a change of activity are important.

Can't be allowed monotony in life. Organize a comfortable space around you, try to get into conflicts less often. If it is felt extreme fatigue, take a day off, be alone.

Information overload also affects the psyche, so during moments of relaxation, protect yourself from watching negative television programs, social networks, give your brain a rest.

Apathy is treatable, but it is important to pay attention to the person’s condition in time and find the root cause. If you can't cope on your own, visit a psychologist.

What will help in the fight against apathy? Find out about it in the video:

Apathy is a depressed state of mind, which is characterized by a general loss of strength, decreased interest in current events and life in general. It is dangerous to remain in a state of apathy for a long time. The individual is more likely to stop feeling the beauty of the outside world and become focused on his own problems. It is extremely difficult to get out of apathy on your own. To do this you need to have great will and determination. Most often, people turn to specialists with such a problem. The causes of apathy may be concentrated deep in the subconscious, or may reflect events in the personal or public life. The symptoms of apathy are quite vivid - they cannot be ignored. The person becomes indifferent to everything, lethargic, and taciturn. Looking at him, those around him get the impression that he does not hear the words addressed to him, does not notice anything happening around him. Treatment of apathy should be a competent and deliberate step. Before you take a series of decisive actions, you need to know how to deal with apathy.

Causes of apathy

Like any condition, apathy has its own reasons; it never appears out of nowhere. As a rule, this is the result of prolonged dissatisfaction with oneself, refusal to realize important desires and ideas. What are the causes of apathy? Let's try to figure it out!

Emotional stress

Prolongation is not good for anyone. Apathy always results from prolonged emotional stress. Eventually, the nervous system becomes exhausted. The person himself does not notice how quickly he plunges into a depressed state. This is what ultimately leads to apathy. Apathy itself has a very destructive effect on the individual, makes you endlessly doubt yourself and spend a long time in painful experiences. Emotional stress, which continues long enough, ultimately leads to dissatisfaction with life and a feeling of hopelessness. So a person stops believing in own strength, focuses on problems.

Physical and emotional fatigue

Availability frequent stress, tense relationships in a team, misunderstanding in the family lead to physical and psychological exhaustion. Fatigue in no way contributes to a rosy mood and the formation of self-confidence. Apathy quickly arises where there are good reasons for it. If a person does not take care of himself, works extremely hard, and does not receive any satisfaction from life, then soon his strength will leave him. Treatment can be long and exhausting. People prone to apathy are advised to avoid stress and strong emotional involvement in a conflict situation. The sooner you determine the cause of apathy, the easier it will be to subsequently get rid of this disease and begin effective treatment.

High demands on yourself

Another reason for apathy is too fantastic expectations. For example, a person is just starting his journey in business and immediately wants to receive high result. But, as you know, without testing and extra effort personal development is impossible. – this is a problem for very talented and gifted people. By placing unnecessarily high demands on oneself, a person does not give himself the right to make mistakes. Anyone can go down the wrong path. Only if for ordinary person There is nothing terrible in this, but a perfectionist perceives everything through the prism of tragedy. He is overly critical of his own achievements, considering them small and insignificant. This prevents him from fully feeling happy and moving towards his desired goal.

Addictive behavior

Any form of addiction sooner or later contributes to the development of apathy. Having any form of addiction is a very good reason to cause apathy. Addictive behavior involves a person losing significant part himself, loses his sense of self-control and self-respect. Among the main symptoms of addiction are the following: a person ceases to control himself, to notice his actual needs and requirements. The main thing for him is to satisfy the need for chemicals(if it is an alcohol or nicotine addiction), in communication with another person (relationship addiction). Turning into a person with an addiction, a person loses the ability to manage his life, relieves himself of responsibility for what is happening, and plunges into apathy.

Disease progression

In some cases, the cause of apathy is long-term illness. Sometimes some illness grips a person so strongly that he has no strength left to rejoice. All attention and physical resources are spent only on overcoming the feeling of helplessness and the characteristic symptoms of a particular disease, day after day. Apathy covers a person so much that drug treatment does not bring the desired result. The progression of the disease takes away many internal resources from a person. The patient quickly gets tired, tired, and does not even want to do his favorite things.

Judgment and rejection of others

Another reason for the formation of apathy is tense relationships in society. The syndrome of constant dissatisfaction with one’s personality grows, as a rule, from persistent rejection of others. If a person constantly faces criticism, listens to the dissatisfaction of his superiors or relatives, it becomes difficult for him to believe in his own strength. Lack of self-confidence and the future invariably gives rise to apathy. A person loses motivation for new achievements; he does not want to change anything in the current situation.

Premenstrual syndrome in women

Some representatives of the fair sex fall into apathy before the start of a new cycle. In these difficult days, women become easily vulnerable; it’s easy enough to offend them. Premenstrual syndrome adds a lot of stress and anxiety. This is a very serious reason why the mood deteriorates, tearfulness and resentment increase. Apathy serves as a kind of refuge for a woman to hide from additional obligations and problems. With the help of apathy, the girl seems to resort to cunning and learn to avoid situations that are unbearable for her. currently conditions.

Negative changes

Sometimes in the life of every person there are some strong shocks that can seriously affect the psyche. The death of loved ones, irreparable events in society, divorce, betrayal, and any other incidents that change the entire way of life have a negative impact on the emotional state. A person does not feel strong enough to quickly cope with what he is going through. There is a feeling of an accomplished catastrophe and helplessness. Apathy does not allow a person to take action immediately. As a rule, a large amount of time passes before a person begins to accept what happened and finally comes to his senses.

Symptoms of apathy

Apathy manifests itself in a person in a very specific way. Its symptoms are known to every person firsthand. Anyone who has been in this state for even a short time knows how difficult it is to overcome it and learn to enjoy life again. Let's look at the main symptoms of apathy.

Emotional indifference

A person in a state of apathy hardly pays attention to what is happening around him. He forgets to even think about meeting his basic needs: eating on time, meeting with friends. It seems that the feeling of joy is blocked inside him, that the personality is lost and does not know which direction to move. Emotional indifference is manifested in the fact that a person is constantly in a bad mood. It seems that nothing can cheer him up or give him at least a little optimism. Indifference to everything around you - true symptom apathy. If a person fails to overcome it for a long time, then interest in life decreases.

Against the background of emotional indifference, a pronounced decrease in appetite occurs. The usual taste of food is lost somewhere and even your favorite dishes cease to bring pleasure. A person may refuse food altogether or take it literally a teaspoon at a time.

Limiting communication

Apathy often causes a person to avoid interacting with other people. It becomes easier and more comfortable for a person to be alone with himself rather than communicate with others. The thing is that apathy deprives a person of moral strength and self-confidence. At the same time, it becomes a conscious desire to minimize any communication, since it takes away additional energy. Even the closest friends find themselves deprived. A person in a state of apathy is not able to actively express himself.

Decreased performance

Severe emotional depression also affects mood. There is a pronounced decrease in performance. A person begins to feel that he is unable to perform even basic tasks. Habitual activities bring only suffering, without giving any positive emotions. Treatment must begin, first of all, with the awareness of the fact that some part of life is wasted. Instead of the usual state of interest, drowsiness and lethargy suddenly appear. Before important meetings, he begins to feel drowsy and his voice becomes indifferent. These are the true manifestations of apathy. A person who really experiences this condition needs help and support.

Treatment of apathy

Apathy is a condition that cannot be left to chance. To overcome the painful reluctance to act and make decisions, you need to choose the right treatment and follow simple recommendations. How to deal with apathy? What do you need to pay attention to for treatment to be effective?

Regular physical activity

In fact, our emotional state is strongly connected with physical well-being. There is even the term “mental health”, which implies all kinds of peace of mind and well-being. Systematic physical exercise helps strengthen the nervous system, maintain peace of mind. You will see how your mood will gradually return to normal, the desire to live, create, and perform some actions will appear. Do what you like: ride a bike, get new emotions from sports, strive to satisfy your desires. Proper nutrition– is also an important factor that will help make treatment more effective.

Having hobbies and interests

How to deal with apathy? If you care about your individual well-being, you should find something you enjoy. Think about what could bring you the most joy? Each person has certain inclinations towards certain activities. If you carefully analyze your inner world, you can come to very unexpected conclusions. Having hobbies is incredibly inspiring, gives strength and fills you with optimism in life. By doing something that brings inner satisfaction, a person blossoms from within, discovering even greater potential and additional opportunities for realization.

Thus, in order to get rid of apathy, you need to become a full master of your life. Bring your physical and emotional state into balance, then your low mood will leave you forever. Remember that we manage our own lives, and everything that happens is our merit. Take over full responsibility for what is happening. Don't expect someone else to do it for you.

Apathy Apathy is characterized by severe depression, lack of self-confidence, an unreasonable feeling of anxiety, and depersonalization is also often observed.

Many people today suffer from apathy. Some people don’t even realize how much they are affected by this illness, which has caused them to be in a constant bad mood. Apathy is a condition in which a person ceases to control his own emotions. It's starting to feel like there's only negative points, you don’t want to make efforts even for the necessary actions. Apathy is characterized by severe depression, lack of self-confidence, an unreasonable feeling of anxiety, and derealization and depersonalization are also often observed. Apathy makes you feel like a worthless loser that no one needs.

Causes of apathy

For apathy to develop, it takes time and good reasons. From the outside it seems that everything happens by itself, without reason. It should be noted that there are reasons, and they are quite understandable. Let's take a closer look at them.

Emotional turmoil

Some life events turn out to be so unthinkable and unpredictable that they are shocking. Facing loss loved one or betrayal of a partner, a person can become indifferent, indifferent to everything around him. It just takes time to restore mental balance and develop new positive programs. This process cannot happen quickly. The work of grief requires great internal concentration and affects the resources of the individual. It is emotional shocks that so deprive a person of his inner core that he loses the ability to think clearly. It is impossible to make decisions while in this state. Apathy becomes defensive reaction psyche, which does not allow destructive information to penetrate even further into consciousness. With the help of apathy, an individual gets the opportunity to isolate himself from current events that do not suit him.

Perfectionism

In some cases, the cause of apathy is the habit of always doing everything perfectly. This is actually extremely unhelpful for further development. A person gets used to constantly working at a high level and demands maximum results from himself even when it is absolutely not necessary. Perfectionism, if manifested too sharply, harms the individual and forces her to work to the limit of her capabilities. Apathy occurs as a result of wasting one's internal resources. The personality becomes lethargic, lacking initiative, and unable to take responsibility.

Addictive behavior

Another reason, causing development apathy. Any addiction destroys personality and promotes addiction. The fact is that a person loses a colossal part of his personality, loses his individuality, becoming addicted, for example, to alcohol or drugs. He is no longer able to answer for himself. Addiction is often the cause uncontrolled aggression and the onset of complete apathy. Addictive behavior devastates the inside, contributes to loneliness and the formation of a feeling of isolation from the world. Apathy appears as a consequence, as a result of an incorrect attitude towards the world.

Physical ailments

Diseases, especially chronic ones, often contribute to the onset of apathy, becoming the reason for immersion in one’s own experiences. Any long-term illness deprives a person of moral strength. At some point it begins to seem to him that joy does not exist, since there is no reason to smile. Long-term treatment, the need to visit a hospital and stay in it in many ways depersonalizes and makes you wary of yourself. People whose health becomes a cause for expressed concern do not believe in a happy future, do not make plans for self-realization, and do not want to move towards their desired goal.

Bad relationship

Unsatisfactory relationships with people also often cause apathy. When there is no proper understanding among relatives, a feeling of uselessness, even rejection, is formed. A person often cannot understand what is happening to him until it turns out that there is no one to help him. Negative feelings become constant companions of those who are faced with such as unrequited love . Poor relationships with others often contribute to the fact that an individual withdraws even more into himself. His apathy becomes the reason for the development of distrust of the world. Still, everyone needs to feel needed and in demand.

Symptoms of apathy

Apathy manifests itself in a person in a certain way. It cannot be confused with any other condition. The degree of depression that is present in apathy can cause significant damage mental health. What are the prominent symptoms of apathy? Let's try to figure it out.

Indifference to everything

Feeling depressed is a clear symptom of apathy. Indifference to everything appears due to deep immersion in the problem. The fact is that a person can be truly happy only when he sees meaning in life, and it consists of many components: personal happiness, success at work, self-realization. Apathy destroys all this, instilling only emptiness and despair in the soul. Such a state incredibly depersonalizes the individual, making him similar to other people who find themselves in a similar situation. Personal boundaries are erased, fear and anxiety for your future take root in your soul.

Sloppiness

A person immersed in apathy often stops paying attention to how he looks. Many people stop looking in the mirror; it becomes unpleasant for them to see their own reflection. Sloppiness – characteristic symptom apathy. It appears because the individual is too focused on his own experiences. IN certain moment he may encounter the fact that one of his relatives will begin to disgustfully turn away from him precisely because of his progressive sloppiness. The habit of wearing old dirty clothes and not washing for a long time further isolates you from people. The individual runs the risk of dissolving in his apathy and becoming completely alone.

Decreased appetite

Apathy makes you forget about the need to eat on time. An individual can sit in one place for hours, staring at one point, or sleep for days, escaping from deep experiences. The decrease in appetite is dictated by the fact that anxious thoughts prevent you from feeling hunger as a physiological reaction. Everything is overshadowed by an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety, which sometimes seems impossible to overcome. Decreased appetite is a symptom of apathy and depression.

Lack of initiative

Apathy makes a person consider himself worthless and mercilessly wastes his internal resources. The individual becomes weak and weak-willed, he has no desire to work on himself, to do something. Even if there is an understanding within oneself that it is necessary to make attempts at self-improvement, on the external plane there is not enough strength to bring what one wants to life. This is because apathy prevents you from believing in yourself and being convinced of your own worth.

Speech Impairment

Apathy harms the personality, almost completely destroys it. While in this state, the individual often cannot understand what is happening to him. It becomes difficult to answer everyday questions or participate in conversations. His speech slows down and there is no reaction to certain stimuli. With speech impairment, memory impairment is also observed: forgetfulness and absent-mindedness appear. A slow reaction can lead to uncontrollable consequences. There are cases when people, being in apathy, became victims of accidents: attacks, road accidents, etc.

Chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue is a symptom of apathy. In apathy, a person experiences an incredible loss of strength. He has absolutely no vital energy in order to take action. The realization of existing desires is constantly postponed indefinitely. In this case, fatigue is often so severe that you have to overcome yourself even in order to perform basic actions: move around the apartment, go out to the store for shopping.

How to deal with apathy?

Apathy as a condition definitely needs correction. You can’t stay in it for a long time, it’s fraught irreversible consequences. It is best to start treating apathy as soon as it appears. It is not recommended to delay actions, as it will be more difficult to do later. However, many people unconsciously delay this moment precisely because they do not know how to deal with overwhelming despair and anxiety.

Physical activity

This is the first place to start treating apathy. The fact is that physical activity can't be replaced by anything. If you stop moving, the problem only gets worse over time. Man is designed in such a way that even small exercises can help cope with obsessive states. That's why it's worth signing up for dancing and walking more on the street. By taking daily walks, you will free yourself from additional mental anguish. You should not neglect morning exercises. If you have the strength for systematic gymnastics, you can include it in your daily routine.

Daily regime

When thinking about how to deal with apathy, you should take into account such a thing as the correct daily routine. This important component will protect you from significant mistakes that can lead to even greater losses and defeats. Apathy as such tends to accumulate if no effort is made to eliminate it. Competent treatment of apathy is never complete without building an effective routine. Your body should get used to going to bed strictly at certain hours and eating at a time when you are hungry. Gradually you will learn to feel your needs and desires.

Trips

How to deal with the feeling of being cut off from the world? When treating apathy, it is advisable to travel. It is advisable to do this as much as possible to get the necessary impressions. Of course, everyone has different financial capabilities, but it is recommended not to spare money for mental recovery.

Communication

Interaction with loved ones helps in many ways to overcome the subjective feeling of uselessness. Treatment of apathy is impossible if there is no opportunity to express your love and affection. Communication is an indispensable tool in the fight against emotional disorders and depression. You just need to be able to find people who will be able to listen, understand, and be able to advise something. Unfortunately, not everyone has such a warm relationship with their loved ones that they want to share all their thoughts and feelings. You cannot limit yourself in interacting with other people. The more communication, the better, the sooner you will be able to come to your senses and restore lost mental strength.

Medications

They are not always recommended, only in the most difficult situations, when ordinary positive actions and support from loved ones are not enough. Don't be shy about asking for help when you really need it. What drugs are usually prescribed? It is recommended to take Novopassit, Persen or Glycine. In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe strong tranquilizers that will help relieve anxious thoughts.

Thus, a pronounced state of apathy is serious reason to think about your life. Apathy like psychological disorder definitely needs treatment. Required the right approach to treatment that will help overcome feelings of internal hopelessness. Can seek help from the Irakli Pozharisky Psychology Center. Working with a specialist will be helpful. You will be able to understand the disturbing situation and outline ways of internal liberation.

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Apathy is a psychotic state characterized by a complete absence or a sharp decline aspirations and interests, suppressed emotions, indifference to current events and surrounding people. This condition is not an independent disease, but develops as a symptom of certain mental illnesses (depression, schizophrenia), as well as organic lesions brain. Apathy can also develop in patients suffering from severe somatic diseases(malignant neoplasms, myocardial infarction) or those who have experienced severe emotional stress.

Apathy is a state of complete indifference, indifference

Apathy is often confused with a manifestation of laziness. At first glance, these two conditions are very similar, but there are still serious differences between them. Laziness is bad habit, which has become a human character trait and manifests itself in a lack of motivation. A person doesn't do things because he's not interested in them and prefers to go out with friends or take a nap on the couch instead. That is, if a person gives preference to performing some actions over others, then this state is regarded as banal laziness. With apathy, the desire to perform all actions disappears. For example, a person understands that it is necessary to clean the house. He doesn't like mess, and the cleaning process itself doesn't cause discomfort. However, due to lack of strength and motivation, expressed indifference, a person cannot force himself to start cleaning.

Synonyms: athymia, aphimia, anormia, atimormia.

Causes of apathy and risk factors

Most common reasons apathies are:

state of convalescence after severe infectious or somatic diseases;
hypovitaminosis conditions (especially lack of B vitamins);
mental, emotional and/or physical exhaustion;
chronic stress;
work requiring high concentration attention, responsibility for the life and safety of others;
severe acute psychological stress, which can be caused, for example, by the death of a loved one or a disaster;
brain damage (especially to some areas of the frontal lobes);
a side effect of taking drugs from the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Severe forms of apathy in the absence of adequate therapy can lead to the development of an affective state, depression, and suicide attempts in the patient.

Apathy can also be caused by certain mental illnesses. Most often, apathy manifests itself as a symptom of depression or schizophrenia. Therefore, if complete indifference to the surrounding reality continues long time, and even more so combined with other symptoms that are alarming in relation to mental illness (decreased concentration, memory lapses, insomnia, auditory, visual or tactile hallucinations), you should definitely contact a neuropsychiatrist.

In some cases, apathy may be considered an option normal reaction nervous system for overwork, i.e. it is a kind of signal indicating the need for proper rest. In this case, the signs of apathy are usually mild and persist for a short time. Their appearance encourages you to change the surrounding situation or attitude towards it, your lifestyle. It should be understood that if such “normal” apathy is misperceived and there is no reaction to it, it can intensify. In this case, it will be almost impossible to cope with it without the help of a specialist. This outcome is usually observed in people with a very strong or, conversely, too weak character. A person with the character of a leader, possessing ambitions, a strong will and firm convictions, instead of giving himself and his nervous system a rest, begins to actively fight the symptoms of apathy, while loading himself with additional tasks, forcing himself to do them by willpower. As a result, his condition worsens. After some time, the physical and emotional discomfort caused by manifestations of apathy is joined by psychological discomfort, accompanied by the formation of a self-humiliation complex. A person mentally scolds himself for weakness, unwillingness and inability to fulfill his duties, growing indifference not only to loved ones, but also to himself. As a result, the signs of apathy progress even more until the development of depression. It must be remembered that if you have apathy, you should never increase mental and physical stress! At the same time, you cannot completely relax, surrendering yourself to the power of a psychotic disorder and waiting for it to pass on its own.

People with weak character, when symptoms of apathy appear, begin to fight them with the help of medications, alcoholic beverages, and sometimes drugs. Such an approach not only does not eliminate, but further intensifies the manifestations of apathy, and in addition can create additional problems (the formation drug addiction, alcoholism, drug addiction).

Forms of the disease

Psychotherapists distinguish three types of apathy:

Passive apathy. Its main symptoms are detachment, lethargy, and lack of interest in life. They are quite well expressed and noticeable to others.
Active apathy. Changes in the human psyche are practically invisible to those around him. Over time, pathology so destroys the psyche that it leads to mental illness or suicide attempts.
Traumatic apathy. The cause of its development is organic damage to the brain caused by injuries, tumors, disorders cerebral circulation. Elimination etiological factor in this case, it also leads to the elimination of signs of apathy.

The main symptoms of apathy are loss of aspirations and desires, insensitivity and indifference, loss of interest in affairs and things that were previously interesting to a person. Other signs of apathy include:

significant limitation of social contacts;
decreased interest in professional activities;
reluctance to perform routine duties;
a state of chronic fatigue that does not disappear even after a long rest;
lack or sharp decrease in appetite;
slowness of physical and mental reactions;
depressed mood;
slurred, slurred speech;
lack of initiative;
impaired concentration.

A person with apathy is distinguished by detachment from the surrounding reality and people, passivity and indifference, absence natural need to be loved and to love yourself. Emotions are preserved, but hidden deep in the unconscious. That is why a person suffering from apathy is perceived by others as insensitive, lifeless, devoid of emotions, without any aspirations, drives or desires.

With severe apathy, bordering on abulia, patients experience severe lack of initiative, taciturnity, immobility, impaired thinking, and memory loss. Speech is unclear and blurred. Movements are unclear, sluggish, sometimes poorly coordinated.

Apathy can occur with clearly visible symptoms to others clinical symptoms, but sometimes develops gradually. In this case, the destruction of the human psyche occurs endogenously, and the outwardly healthy and active person may suddenly attempt suicide for everyone.

Signs of apathy are never irritability and tension. A person, on the contrary, disappears any desire to do anything, to try to satisfy his desire. Atrophy and devaluation of personal emotional experiences occurs, as a result of which neither positive nor negative emotions arise.

Diagnostics

A patient can be assumed to have apathy if he has 4-5 symptoms from the list below:

recent severe stress;
lack of communication with friends and relatives for a long time, severe discomfort when thinking about upcoming contact with them;
regularly occurring dark thoughts;
sloppiness in clothing, unwillingness to take care of oneself;
constant feeling of tension;
decreased ability to work;
sleep disorders, especially drowsiness during the day and insomnia at night;
perception of the surrounding reality in slow motion;
lack of joyful emotions;
decreased self-confidence.

Apathy is not an independent disease, but develops as a symptom of certain mental illnesses (depression, schizophrenia), as well as organic brain lesions.

To identify the cause underlying the development of apathy, the patient consults a psychoneurologist, neurologist, therapist, and endocrinologist.

Treatment of apathy

The choice of treatment method for apathy is determined by the form of the psychopathic disorder, as well as the intensity of clinical manifestations.

Therapy for mild degrees of apathy is carried out without the use of medications. Patients are recommended to moderate physical activity, regular walks in the fresh air, and adherence to a regime of alternating work and rest. In this case, traveling and communicating with friends and loved ones help to cope with apathy.

In case of severe apathy, treatment is carried out by a neuropsychiatrist. The treatment regimen includes pharmacological agents one or more courses, as well as psychotherapy sessions.

Possible consequences and complications

Severe forms of apathy in the absence of adequate therapy can lead to the development of an affective state, depression, and suicide attempts in the patient.

Forecast

The prognosis is favorable. In most cases, this psychotic condition responds well to therapy. In cases where apathy develops as a symptom of a mental illness (schizophrenia, depression), the prognosis is determined by the course of the underlying pathology.

Prevention

Prevention of apathy is aimed at preventing physical and mental fatigue and includes:

adherence to daily routine;
regular exercise;
avoidance of stressful situations.

To avoid falling into a state of apathy, psychologists recommend:

Don't hold back your emotions. If you feel sad and want to cry, you shouldn’t fight it. Stress goes away along with tears.
Take breaks. When you feel increasingly tired, you need to find an opportunity to stop the flow of things and allow yourself to rest. It is best to take a vacation and go on a trip, not necessarily a long one. If this is not possible, you should take a walk in the park, visit a museum, go to the cinema, i.e. try to change the environment in any way.
Get a dog. This recommendation is especially relevant for single people. The animal must be looked after regularly and taken for long walks every morning and evening. This stimulates a sense of responsibility and prevents the occurrence of apathy.

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