What Is Apathy Syndrome?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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An apathy syndrome is defined as

a syndrome of primary motivational loss

, that is, loss of motivation not attributable to emotional distress, intellectual impairment, or diminished level of consciousness.

What is the cure for apathy?


Medications and psychotherapy

can help restore your interest in life. You may also show chronic apathy symptoms if you have a progressive disorder such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Treating the underlying condition can help improve apathy.

What is apathy a symptom of?

Apathy is when you lack motivation to do anything or just don’t care about what’s going on around you. Apathy can be a symptom of mental health problems,

Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease

. It often lasts a long time. You may lack the desire to do anything that involves thinking or your emotions.

Is apathy a disorder?

Depression is a “disorder of emotion”, while

apathy is a “disorder of motivation”

. Starkstein et al. [34] studied the frequency of apathy among stroke patients with major depression, minor depression, or no depression. A fairly large number (23%) of their patients had significant apathy.

What are the types of apathy?

  • Emotional apathy, characterized by a lack of both positive and negative emotions.
  • Behavioral apathy, characterized by a lack of self-initiated behaviors.
  • General apathy, characterized by less motivation, poor emotional responses, and lack of social engagement.

What disorder causes lack of emotions?

As a condition marked by lack of feelings, it can be difficult to recognize the symptoms of

alexithymia

. Since this condition is associated with an inability to express feelings, an affected person might come across as being out of touch or apathetic.

Can ADHD cause apathy?

People who have inattentive ADHD are often spacey and sometimes display apathetic behavior (apathy is a

lack of interest or enthusiasm

, some might call it “laziness”). Adults who don’t manage the ADD may develop mood disorders like anxiety or depression, or have social problems as a result of the condition.

Can anxiety cause apathy?

First, the

emotional fatigue that so often accompanies severe anxiety leads to one’s emotions being worn out

, thus leading to apathy. Second, the low serotonin levels associated with anxiety often lead to less passion and interest in the activities in one’s life which can be seen as apathy.

Why do I feel like I have no emotions?


Depression

and anxiety are two of the most common causes. Severe levels of acute elevated stress or nervousness can also trigger feelings of emotional numbness. Post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be tied to depression and anxiety, can cause you to feel numb, too. Some medications can also cause numbness.

What is being emotionless called?


Schizoid personality disorder

is one of many personality disorders. It can cause individuals to seem distant and emotionless, rarely engaging in social situations or pursuing relationships with other people.

What do you call a person who is apathetic?

Some common synonyms of apathetic are

impassive

, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid.

Is apathy a symptom of schizophrenia?

Causes of Apathy

A person living with schizophrenia can still experience

depression

even when they are in recovery—the person will show signs of apathy, which can be attributed to the depression. Excessive doses of antipsychotics can contribute to apathy.

What is dysphoric mood?

824) • “Dysphoria (dysphoric mood)”: “

a condition in

.

which a person experiences intense feelings of

.

depression, discontent, and in some cases

.

indifference to the world around them

” (p.

Is apathy a defense mechanism?

Apathy is a

defense mechanism

that some people develop after facing repeated disappointments. At best it mutes happiness, at worst it can pave the way to depression.

What is the opposite apathy?

By definition,

empathy

is the opposite of apathy. Empathy is defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” — within + feeling or inside + suffering. Apathy is defined as “a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern” — not + feeling or without + suffering.

What is the best definition of apathy?

1 :

lack of feeling or emotion

: impassiveness drug abuse leading to apathy and depression. 2 : lack of interest or concern : indifference political apathy.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.