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Apathy, weakness, fatigue, sleepiness: how to cope
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025

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Apathy is a state of indifference and apathy to everything that happens around. Let's look at the causes of this psychological illness, treatment methods, as well as advice from a psychologist and methods for preventing apathy.
Apathy is a state in which everything around you becomes indifferent, there is no desire to talk to anyone or do anything.
There are many causes of apatitis, from psychological and physical fatigue and exhaustion of the body to disorders in the endocrine system and chronic diseases. Apathy is familiar to everyone, but for some it quickly passes, while for others it develops into serious depression.
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In psychiatry, the term apathy means detachment from everything that happens and stoic calm. That is, it is a state of indifference to others, which can turn into disgust for life. Apathy occurs in absolutely all people. That is, there is no pattern between a person's financial situation and an apathetic state. The main reason for detachment and indifference to everything is boredom, which gradually develops into indifference. People with children, happy families and dream jobs suffer from apathy. Psychological disorder also haunts those who suffer failure after failure or are in a bad environment.
- It is very difficult to understand the causes of apathy on your own, so patients resort to the help of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, neurologists, psychologists. Without appropriate treatment, apathy becomes chronic or turns into a depressive state.
- A person who has apathy looks at his life with detachment, stops making plans for the future, making acquaintances and simply dreaming. Life seems monotonous and dull.
- Apathy is provoked by both external and internal reasons. Even a seemingly insignificant event can cause apathy and leave a negative imprint on the psyche.
Causes of apathy
The causes of apathy are varied, but by and large, they are regular and repeated encounters with problems that cannot be resolved at the current level of development. Apathy is caused by physical, psychological and emotional fatigue, frequent stress, worries, neuroses. Let's look at the main causes of apathy:
- Being under prolonged stress.
- Lack of rest and relaxation.
- Drastic changes in life (death of loved ones, divorce, pregnancy, retirement, dismissal, birth of a child, betrayal, and others).
- Premenstrual syndrome in women.
- Perfectionism and constant reminders from others about something.
- A feeling of shame that arises when expressing one's needs and desires.
- A long wait for an important or dangerous event.
- Lack of understanding from others and addiction (gaming, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
- Presence of chronic diseases.
- Pressure from superiors or people you depend on.
- Taking hormonal medications.
The above-described reasons for apathy are only part of what can actually provoke a psychological disorder.
Symptoms of apathy
Symptoms of apathy are closely related to the causes of the disorder. The main symptoms are indifference to everything that happens, lack of initiative, desire for solitude, sadness, isolation, laziness. Symptoms of apathy must be recognized at the first stages of the disorder, since without treatment at the early stages, apathy can develop into depression.
Apathy is accompanied by a bad mood, causes drowsiness, inhibition, lack of emotions, appetite, indifference to everything happening around. If a person ceases to be interested in what used to be very important and significant, then this is the first signal of problems with a mental disorder. Most often, this condition is attributed to chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, worries and other problems of everyday life. But weakness and drowsiness are the main symptoms of apathy. Another sign of apathy is limited communication. Thus, a sociable, cheerful person can suddenly become withdrawn and a hermit, spending a lot of time at home alone.
We offer you a small test that allows you to determine apathy by the symptoms that appear. If you have 4-5 of the symptoms described below, then this may indicate apathy:
- Have you recently experienced a stressful situation or strong emotions?
- You haven't had a rest with your friends and family for a long time.
- You are simultaneously powerless and very tense.
- Dark thoughts constantly arise and you have stopped taking care of yourself.
- I lost the desire to do anything or go anywhere.
- Nothing brings joy or pleasure.
- You no longer believe in what used to give you strength and help you relax.
- The demands of others cause passive reactions, but formally you express activity.
- The sleep-wake cycle is disrupted; you sleep during the day and have insomnia at night.
- Very often I feel a strong melancholy and a feeling of emptiness in the area of the head and solar plexus.
- Everything that happens feels like it's happening in slow motion.
- Thoughts about communicating with others or strangers cause anxiety and a desire to hide.
- You constantly feel tired and sleepy, and it is difficult to wake up and fall asleep.
Apathy and fatigue
Apathy and fatigue are one of the most common conditions. A person feels a complete lack of motivation, loses hope for the future, stops believing in himself, dreaming and enjoying life. A constant feeling of fatigue and indifference to everything happening around does not leave. If such a condition is observed for several days, then this is normal, it is enough to collect your thoughts and apathy and fatigue will go away. But if such a condition drags on for weeks, months, or even years, then this indicates a disorder that requires treatment and professional help.
Apathy and fatigue can appear due to life crises, such as: death or separation from loved ones or friends, illness, prolonged stay in difficult situations, failures at work, personal relationships or business, lack of mutual love and care, and much more. Apathy, which is accompanied by fatigue, can appear even in adolescence. This is explained by an active reassessment of values, a change in worldview and outlook. Because of this, everything around seems meaningless and monotonous. A breakdown occurs inside, a kind of break in faith, deep disappointment.
It is necessary to treat apathy and fatigue at the first symptoms of this disorder. To do this, you can change the environment, do something new and exciting and try to distract yourself from the surrounding problems. If apathy and fatigue take a chronic stage, then it is better to entrust the treatment to a professional neurologist or psychotherapist.
Laziness and apathy
Laziness and apathy are a disease of modern people. It is very difficult to fight these symptoms, but it is quite possible. Laziness and apathy appear due to monotonous work that does not bring pleasure. The disorder can arise due to the repetition of the same actions day after day, stress and disappointments. A psychologist or neurologist can help cope with laziness and apathy, but you can try on your own.
- As a rule, laziness appears because a person does not realize the importance of the work he is doing. A kind of signal appears in the subconscious that makes him stop. The desire not to be the best is the main reason for laziness.
- Apathy comes from the loss of interests, desires and sense of reality. A person loses interest in everything that happens around him, laziness and unwillingness to perform even elementary actions appear. All actions become inhibited and forced.
In order to cope with laziness and apathy, you need to make a strategy plan. You need to clearly set a goal, find an incentive and motivation. Ask yourself why you are fighting laziness and apathy. Excellent answers to this question are: "I do not want to be a hostage to the situation and do not indulge laziness", "I am not a houseplant, I can do more." But one goal to fight the disorder is not enough, so you need an incentive. Ask yourself what you will get if you stop being indifferent to everything and lazy? That is, what benefit awaits you. So, for example, if laziness and apathy affect your ability to work, then after fighting these symptoms, you will improve your performance, which will have a positive effect on your financial situation.
The last and no less important factor in the fight against laziness and apathy is motivation. You must understand that without motivation, the stimulus and goal do not work. Therefore, it is necessary to create a driving force that will support you. Start small, go for a walk with friends, communicate more with people, stop putting off until tomorrow what you can easily do today. All this will help to overcome the apathy and laziness that has rolled in, and return to your usual way of life, with a clear head.
Apathy and depression
Apathy and depression are two inseparable concepts, the first leads to the appearance of the second. That is, prolonged apathy develops into a depressive state. The danger of depression is that it does not pass without a trace for the body and leaves an imprint on the state of physical and mental health. The main symptoms of apathy and depression are as follows:
- Decreased mood and emotional disorders.
- Decreased motor activity and performance.
- Slowness of thinking, indifference to everything happening around.
That is, in order to get depression and apathy, a bad mood is not enough, all the above symptoms must be observed. Very often, apathy and depression are confused with chronic fatigue or asthenic syndrome. But with this disorder, the following come to the fore: sleep disorders, physical fatigue, low mood. Apathetic depression has several clinical manifestations that cause painful symptoms from all organs and systems of the body. The patient begins to suffer from headaches, gastrointestinal tract disorders, etc.
People with the above symptoms seek help from therapists, gastroenterologists, neurologists and unsuccessfully undergo symptomatic treatment for apathy and depression. And this is not surprising, since apathetic depression occurs under the guise of external ailments and somatic diseases.
As a rule, various stressful situations and mental traumas lead to apathy and subsequently depression. But there are also endogenous disorders that are provoked by metabolic disorders in the brain. The main signs of such apathy and depression are:
- Seasonality – the disorder most often appears in the spring and autumn.
- There are no psychological traumas or stressful situations that could cause apathy and subsequently depression.
- Mood swings are observed - in the morning the mood is low, but in the evening it improves.
The above symptoms require complex medical treatment. Since without appropriate help, the symptoms will increase and can lead to chronic apathetic depression. Antidepressants are used for treatment. Do not forget about a number of non-specific procedures that significantly improve mood, relieve apathy and depression. This is communication with friends and family, rest and work regime, various hobbies and interests. Of course, at the first stages of apathy, the above measures require considerable effort, but they will contribute to recovery.
Drowsiness and apathy
Drowsiness and apathy are quite common conditions. This condition can appear due to inadequate sleep. Chronic lack of sleep leads not only to sleep disorders, but also to the so-called "sleepy fly" effect. Apathy and drowsiness can be caused not only by stress and anxiety, but also by poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body. Drowsiness can appear due to a violation of the drinking regime, when drinking less than 1.5 liters of water per day. Against the background of drowsiness, apathy also appears, which causes a syndrome of detachment and indifference to everything that happens.
Excess weight, lack of sunlight, off-season - are also causes of drowsiness and apathy. In some cases, the appearance of a slow sleepy state may indicate the presence of diseases that require diagnosis and treatment. Lethargy, drowsiness and apathy can appear with anemia, endocrine diseases, infectious lesions, due to the appearance of tumors, nervous system disorders.
Drowsiness can be caused by chronic fatigue syndrome. The symptoms of this disorder progress without somatic pathology. But if chronic fatigue, which causes drowsiness and apathy, is not treated in time, the disease will lead to serious pathologies.
Complete apathy
Complete apathy is a pathological nervous disorder characterized by a feeling of detachment. The peculiarity of complete apathy is that the disease can develop into depression, schizophrenia and even cause suicidal thoughts. Complete apathy occurs for many reasons. The disease appears due to nervous disorders, stress, strong experiences, disappointments and even shyness and fear of being misunderstood or ridiculed. A person with complete apathy does not feel interest in life, he is indifferent to everything that happens around him.
Complete apathy can be a symptom of impending depression. Sometimes, an apathetic state is mistaken for melancholy, which is accompanied by symptoms similar to apathy. But unlike complete apathy, melancholy is caused and accompanied by enormous suffering that is hidden deep inside, while apathy is a harbinger of suffering. Only a professional doctor can diagnose complete apathy and differentiate it from other psychological disorders.
Complete apathy is treated with a change of scenery, rest, new acquaintances and hobbies. If the disease takes a severe form, then antidepressants and drugs that relax the nervous system and restore mental health are used for treatment.
Lethargy and apathy
Lethargy and apathy arise against the background of stress, nervous experiences and other disorders that disrupt mental activity. An apathetic state is characterized by indifference, lack of will, drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia, lethargy, memory impairment, indifference. The above symptoms can be caused by a lack of iodine in the body, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and the production of its hormones.
Lethargy and apathy can also appear with such diseases and pathologies as: endocrine dysfunction, premenstrual syndrome, drug addiction, alcoholism, various chronic diseases, stress. If long-term lethargy and apathy appear, it is necessary to undergo examination by the following specialists: neurologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, oncologist. This is explained by the fact that apathy can be caused by a certain disease.
You can treat lethargy and apathy both independently and with medical help. If the symptoms of this disorder have just begun to appear, then you need to change the environment, start leading a more active lifestyle or just do something new and interesting. If apathy lasts more than a year, then you need to seek qualified medical help for treatment. The doctor will prescribe a number of medications that will help return the nervous system to normal and get rid of lethargy and apathy.
Constant apathy
Constant apathy is an advanced and even chronic form of nervous disorder. Constant apathy is characterized by the fact that the symptoms of the pathology, namely indifference, detachment, lethargy, etc., are provoked by any nervous experiences, stress and failures. Constant apathy can develop into a depressive state and cause health problems. In addition, a constant apathetic state can be caused not only by psychological problems, but also by problems with the body. Let's consider the most common causes of constant apathy, lethargy and fatigue:
- Vitamin deficiency
Deficiency of vitamins such as B12 and D can cause nervous disorders. Vitamins help the red blood cells and nerve cells of the body to function. Deficiency of vitamins provokes lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue, which are the main symptoms of constant apathy.
- Taking medications and drugs
Before taking any medication, you need to read the instructions. So, a number of drugs have components such as antihistamines (used to treat allergies), which take away all the energy, cause drowsiness, lethargy, detachment, indifference, that is, apathy.
- Stress, anxiety, nervous disorders
Any psychological problems can provoke apathy. If you tend to fall into an apathetic state after any failure or disappointment, then constant apathy is your diagnosis.
- Diabetes
High blood sugar levels cause glucose, or potential energy, to be flushed out of the body. This leads to chronic fatigue, a reluctance to do anything, a feeling of detachment, and, as a result, constant apathy.
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Spring apathy
Spring apathy is a seasonal disorder that affects everyone without exception. Apathy is caused by an energy decline and vitamin deficiency that appeared after winter. Spring apathy can be caused by prolonged emotional and physical upsurges, for example, long celebrations and parties. Apathy is caused by the anticipation of long-awaited events (wedding, vacation, childbirth) and the period after this event. This is explained by the fact that emotional fatigue and emptiness appear. But in the spring, apathy appears due to a lack of solar energy, a lack of vitamins and minerals.
Spring apathy is temporary, so you shouldn't be afraid of it. Sometimes, spring apathy is confused with a depressive state. It is the exaggeration of the importance of one's condition that can provoke a long-term illness. Scientists have proven that self-hypnosis and regular repetition of "I'm sick" - cause not only apathy, but also more serious diseases. To treat spring apathy, it is recommended to rest, take a short break from work and everyday fuss, eat more vitamins and avoid stressful situations.
Weakness and apathy
Weakness and apathy are inseparable symptoms that sooner or later, but appear in every person. A sedentary lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, nervous experiences, constant noise lead to such a state. Oddly enough, but all the above factors causing apathy are companions of a city dweller. Apathy can be caused by chronic diseases, for example, diabetes, liver disease or cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms of weakness and apathy are accompanied by drowsiness, lethargy, mild irritability and indifferent behavior. To treat this condition, it is recommended to give the body a small emotional shake-up. It is enough to have a good rest, start eating well, exercise and communicate with interesting people, and weakness and apathy will go away.
Apathy and irritability
Apathy and irritability very often appear due to regular emotional stress and worries. The appearance of such symptoms can be caused by a feeling of one's own worthlessness and inferiority in front of others. As a rule, this occurs when a person regularly compares himself and his life with more successful people. At first, anger appears, which turns into a feeling of hopelessness, apathy and irritability.
Constant stress and emotional exhaustion also provoke apathy and irritability. Lack of vitamins, poor nutrition, lack of sleep and the presence of chronic diseases are another factor that causes apathy, accompanied by irritability. You can get rid of this condition both independently and with medical help.
If apathy was caused by personal problems, lack of self-confidence, then for treatment it is recommended to write down all your positive sides, knowledge and skills, make a list of what you would like to achieve and gradually go towards it. This will allow you to distract yourself from apathy and return the former joy of life. If apathy appeared due to chronic diseases and other pathologies of the body, then it is necessary to seek professional medical help and eliminate the ailment that provokes the appearance of apathy and irritability.
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Social apathy
Social apathy is a condition that is inherent to an individual or a certain social group. Social apathy is characterized by a loss of interest in social reality, complete indifference and psychological passivity. This type of apathy can be both short-term and long-term. In some cases, the disorder becomes persistent and turns into chronic apathy. As a rule, social apathy is widespread, spreading in a society where people's rights and freedoms are suppressed, and there are social crises that are long-term.
Social apathy is a pessimistic reaction of a passive society, which occurs due to disappointment in the system and socio-political processes. Passive perception of socio-political processes and the regime of constant expectation lead to the emergence of fatigue syndrome. But social apathy is dangerous, since the driving force of future changes is born within a passive society. In this case, the task of politicians is to begin to manage risks and lead changes, but not to fight the negative consequences of social apathy.
Apathy and despondency
Apathy and despondency appear for various reasons, but are almost always accompanied by lethargy, fatigue, indifference and detachment. The disorder can appear due to moral or physical exhaustion, increased physical and mental stress, stress, worries, fears. That is, apathy does not appear suddenly, there are always a number of factors that provoke it.
Apathy can be passive, active and traumatic. Each form is accompanied by despondency, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability. Detailed symptoms of apathy are individual for each patient. This is explained by the fact that the manifestation of this disease depends on the temperament and character of the person. Thus, in assertive and strong personalities, apathy is almost always accompanied not only by despondency, but also by irritability. But in weak and melancholic people, apathy causes drowsiness, tearfulness, depression and even a feeling of hopelessness.
Despondency with apathy may indicate that the disorder is caused by boredom or disappointment. To treat apathy and despondency, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause that caused this condition and try to eliminate it. Severe forms of apathy can develop into depression, the treatment of which is longer and involves taking medications - antidepressants.
Apathy towards sex
Sexual apathy is a disorder of sexual life that occurs in both women and men. Very often, apathy is compared, and sometimes confused with frigidity. Both sex apathy and frigidity are accompanied by a decreased interest in sex and sexual coldness. Such a disorder leads to the fact that a person is unable to achieve an orgasm, since all erogenous zones become insensitive.
The reasons for apathy towards sex can be both psychological and organic. Sexual violence, fear of getting pregnant, conflicts with a partner, resentment and other - these are all psychological reasons. Organic reasons for apathy include medical problems, that is, diseases of the genitals and reproductive system.
Apathy towards sex manifests itself in different ways. Some people feel disgust and unpleasant sensations when it comes to sex, while others feel fear and even shame. If apathy occurs in one of the partners, then soon the other will start having psychological problems as well. Because thoughts about the inability to satisfy the person they love start to visit. If apathy occurs in a woman, then it can cause impotence in her man. If apathy occurs in a man, then it can cause frigidity and isolation in a woman.
Political apathy
Political apathy is a passive attitude and loss of interest in political activity and this area of society's life as a whole. It is the readiness of any society to respond to the actions of the authorities that determines political apathy. This condition manifests itself due to an unstable political situation, frequent changes of power, and disappointment in the actions of political leaders.
Political apathy can appear due to unwillingness to interfere in political issues. Thus, many people explain their apathy by the fact that politics is the lot of professionals. Political apathy can appear due to social apathy. In this case, society is not only zombified, but also frightened, so any attempts to understand or somehow influence political life cause apathy, despondency, a feeling of hopelessness and even depression.
Emotional apathy
Emotional apathy or emotional burnout, fatigue is a condition that is familiar to every person. Like physical fatigue, emotional apathy occurs due to increased stress. That is, a person spends a lot of mental energy and does not have time to restore it. As a rule, emotional fatigue occurs after a hard day at work. But sound sleep and rest help to cope with this disorder. If this does not happen, then fatigue passes into the stage of emotional apathy, which requires serious observation and treatment, as it can turn into a chronic depressive form.
- Emotional apathy causes irritability. Thus, seemingly minor mistakes cause irritation and annoyance, and it seems that the whole world is against you.
- Apathy causes a constant thirst for solitude. It seems that all negative emotions are caused by the people around you, so the opportunity to be alone is the path to isolation.
- Emotional apathy causes difficulty concentrating. It is very difficult to focus and tune in to performing even the simplest daily tasks and chores. It seems as if attention is scattered.
- Apathy causes boredom and disappointment, a person begins to feel that he is doing something that is not his business. Such a feeling can be projected onto personal life, causing a loss of interest in life, partner, family and children.
Emotional apathy is accompanied by increased nervous excitement, insomnia, headaches, general loss of strength and loss of appetite. The only method of treating this type of apathy is proper rest, both emotional and physical.
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Apathy towards work
Apathy towards work is a symptom of every workaholic who cannot distinguish between time for rest and work, devoting all his strength and emotions to the work process. Apathy occurs during periods of mental discomfort, due to excessive coffee consumption, lack of sleep and oxygen. Apathy causes indifference to those things that used to bring joy. It becomes impossible to do everyday things, do your job and do anything.
You need to fight apathy towards work. For starters, you can find some privacy and try to relax or have a good cry. This will help relieve emotional tension. Make a list of mandatory tasks that you need to do at work. Follow this list, do not try to grab a piece of additional work. Be sure to reward yourself after a hard day at work, buy something tasty or finally go to the cinema with friends. Move more, lead an active lifestyle, sign up for a gym, spend more time outdoors. Another surefire way to get rid of apathy towards work is to go on vacation.
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Chronic apathy
Chronic apathy is an advanced stage of any other form of apathy. The peculiarity of this stage of the apathetic state is that it is very difficult to cope with the symptoms of the disorder on your own. Chronic apathy causes headaches, painful sensations in muscles and joints, a feeling of anxiety and fear, insomnia or, conversely, increased sleepiness. Exacerbation of chronic diseases also causes apathy. The causes of apathy are varied, they can be internal, that is, psychological, and external - physical in nature.
Chronic apathy must be treated without fail. To do this, you need to undergo an examination for diseases and seek qualified help from a psychotherapist, psychiatrist or neurologist. In particularly severe cases, treatment is carried out using medications - antidepressants.
Attacks of apathy
Attacks of apathy most often occur due to stress, worries and other situations that knock you off track in normal life. Attacks of apathy cause a depressed mood, irritability, fatigue, drowsiness. Many specialists in the treatment of psychological problems call attacks of apathy - a painkiller for strong feelings. That is, a long and strong load on the muscular system leads to painful sensations and overstrain, this also applies to the nervous system.
At the first symptoms of apathy attacks, it is necessary to take a rest, change the environment. This will help prevent further development of the apathetic state. Regular unloading and rest from physical and emotional stress is the best way to avoid attacks of apathy.
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Apathy in a child
Apathy in children is as common as in adults. The child seems too tired, is capricious, does not want to do anything, goes to bed earlier than usual, wakes up with difficulty and is sleepy during the day. In some cases, lethargy and fatigue are accompanied by fever, impaired sense of smell and taste, nausea, headache, vomiting. In rare cases, due to apathy, the child has pale skin and inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck.
Apathy in a child can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and regimen, congenital diseases, lack of sleep, malnutrition, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, taking medications, and psychological problems. It is imperative to treat apathy. To do this, you need to see a pediatrician and take a series of tests to identify non-psychological causes of apathy. Very often, apathy can be cured by following a daily and sleep routine, eating right, and communicating with peers.
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Apathy in teenagers
Apathy in teenagers is becoming more and more common every year. As a rule, an apathetic state is associated with a lack of parental attention or overprotection, a fast-paced life in the city. Symptoms of apathy are manifested in a teenager's restless sleep, loss of interest in usual activities, unwillingness to communicate with peers and idleness. You should not brush off such behavior, since very often teenage apathy develops into a severe depressive state.
The causes of apathy are varied, it can be a sharp emotional overstrain, an unstable personal position, lack of confidence in oneself and one's abilities, passivity and melancholy, inattention of parents and lack of support from adults. In particularly severe cases, apathy is caused by a psychotraumatic situation. In this case, it will not be possible to cope with the problem on your own. Therefore, the teenager needs the help of specialists and long-term antidepressant therapy.
In order to help a teenager get out of a state of apathy, parents should establish a dialogue with the child, get closer. Do not forget about the transitional teenage age. It is during this period that the child requires tolerance and attention from adults. Teenagers need to be given attention and listened to. This will not only eliminate apathy, but also learn about changes in the child's behavior. And this is very important, since there are many temptations and dangers in the modern world.
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Apathy in husband
Apathy in a husband causes bewilderment and fear in many women. And this is not surprising, since a loved one has a forced smile, a dull look and indifference. Apathy can be caused by problems at work or in the family, psychological trauma, chronic diseases and other things. Many experts associate apathy in men with age crises.
- Thus, in young men, apathy can appear at the age of 15-30. The apathetic state is explained by the fact that the man is still young and full of energy, but everything goes against his wishes and plans. The man loses faith in himself and his abilities, begins to feel like a loser.
- Apathy in a husband can also appear at a more mature age, usually after 40 years. During this period, a man has fully established himself and realized himself in many areas, and now the question of what to do next arises. It is the lack of prospects that causes apathy and loss of interest in life. At this age, apathy can appear due to disappointment in family values and the life lived.
The wife's task is to diagnose the first symptoms of apathy in her husband in time and prevent the development of the disease. It is necessary to show attention, care, guardianship, be interested in his affairs and well-being. But do not impose yourself on a man, if your husband asks to be alone, do so, this will allow him to understand himself and quickly get out of a state of apathy.
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Apathy after sex
Apathy after sex can appear at any age, both in women and men. Often, the state of detachment is associated with disappointment in expectations from sex. Thus, apathy can appear due to the expectation of greater activity and initiative from a partner, the inability to overcome one's complexes and indecisiveness.
Apathy after sex also appears due to emotional overstrain, i.e. burnout. A person is so carried away by the very anticipation of the process that sex becomes unpleasant and causes disappointment. In some cases, attacks of apathy occur due to the biased or indifferent behavior of a partner who is only interested in satisfying his or her needs. Apathy can appear due to the lack of orgasm. In order to prevent apathy after sex, it is necessary to relax as much as possible, throw all distracting thoughts out of your head and trust your partner.
Apathy after stroke
Apathy after a stroke occurs in many patients. This psychological disorder is explained by the fact that after a stroke a person faces a long period of recovery. They have to relearn how to speak, walk, and do the simplest work. The task of relatives is to support the patient as much as possible. Since the process of recovery and restoration depends on the positive attitude of the environment. Many patients, faced with apathy after a stroke, lie in bed for hours, refuse to move, and do everything only under duress.
An apathetic state after a stroke cannot be associated with laziness. Since with extensive damage to the right hemisphere of the brain, mental activity is impaired. It is necessary to talk to such patients and constantly persuade and force them to do something within the framework of the rehabilitation period.
Moral support from loved ones helps prevent apathy from developing into a depressive state. But the patient must realize that after discharge from the hospital, previously familiar things must be learned again. A positive attitude and a good-natured environment help to restore strength and health faster.
Diagnosis of apathy
Diagnosis of apathy is a rather complicated and labor-intensive process, as the disease has many symptoms. Often, with apathy, the patient's behavior in society changes. There is inhibition and automatism of motor activity, impoverishment of facial expressions, monotonous speech, lack of interest in everything that happens around, reluctant communication with others. At the same time, the patient's activity does not stop completely. It is this fact that complicates the process of diagnosing apathy. The patient continues to do his daily activities, go to work. But all this happens without desire and internal incentive.
As a rule, it is difficult for patients to overcome apathy on their own, as one of the symptoms of the disorder appears – laziness. It seems to a person that there is no need to make an effort to get out of the state of stagnation. The psychological picture of apathy is extensive. In the process of diagnosis, special attention is paid to the following signs and symptoms:
- General weakness and impotence.
- Lethargy and drowsiness.
- Rapid fatigue.
- Lack of interests and hobbies.
- Depressed state.
- A feeling of discomfort and hopelessness.
If the patient is completely apathetic, then there is a refusal to eat and other completely natural physiological needs. Sometimes the symptoms of apathy manifest themselves in the appearance of suicidal thoughts, but, despite the depressed state, the person understands the value of his life and is aware of the consequences of the embodiment of his thoughts.
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Apathy test
The apathy test allows you to independently assess your psychological state and diagnose apathy. With the help of the test, you can recognize emotional disorders and eliminate them in time. Let's look at several apathy tests.
- Answer the questions yes or no. If you have more than half of the positive answers, then this indicates the presence of depression.
- Do you have difficulty falling asleep?
- Do you often have nightmares?
- Do you feel tired and emotionally drained?
- Have you had any weight fluctuations in the last month (assuming you are not dieting)?
- Do/have any of your relatives suffered from depressive disorders?
- Has your sexual desire decreased, or is sex disgusting?
- Do you have auditory or visual hallucinations?
- Do you often feel the hopelessness of everything that is happening and the transience of life?
- Is your daily stress level higher than average?
- Do you hide your feelings from those close to you?
- Do you notice changes in your mood as fall or winter approaches?
- This apathy test is offered by professional medical publications. The test allows you to assess your emotional state in detail. You need to assess your condition over the past month.
- Are you interested in learning something new?
- Are you interested in anything?
- Are you interested in your condition?
- Do you put a lot of effort into your work?
- Are you always looking for something to do?
- Do you set goals and make plans for the future?
- Do you have a desire to strive for something?
- Do you have energy for everyday activities?
- Should anyone tell you what you should do?
- Have you become indifferent to affairs?
- Have you lost interest in many things?
- Do you need motivation to start doing something?
- Are you neither happy nor sad, but something in between?
- Do you consider yourself apathetic (lack of initiative)?
For questions 1–8 the scoring system is as follows:
- not at all – 3 points.
- a little – 2 points.
- to a certain extent yes – 1 point.
- to a very large extent yes – 0 points.
For questions 9–14:
- not at all – 0 points.
- a little – 1 point.
- to a certain extent yes – 2 points.
- to a very large extent yes – 3 points.
Apathy is considered clinically significant if the score is 14 points or more.
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How to get rid of apathy?
How to get rid of apathy and eliminate unpleasant and even painful symptoms of the disease? First of all, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms of the disorder. An apathetic state manifests itself in a lack of interest in the surrounding world, a depressed state and a lack of emotions. In some patients, apathy causes drowsiness, fatigue and lethargy.
At the first attacks of apathy, it is recommended to take a short break. So, if apathy is caused by stress and nervous situations at work, then a few days of rest away from the hustle and bustle will help get rid of the disorder. If apathy is caused by a feeling of insecurity in yourself and your abilities, it is recommended to engage in self-improvement. Study foreign languages, go to a workout, make an appointment with friends. Do something that will eliminate apathy and return you to your previous life track. If you cannot get rid of apathy on your own, you need to seek qualified medical help.
More information of the treatment
Prevention of apathy
Prevention of apathy is a set of methods that allows you to prevent diseases and fight the first symptoms of an impending attack of nervous disorder. Prevention is used to treat mild degrees of the disease. Adjust your daily routine, eat right, exercise and avoid overload and stress - this is the ideal option for preventing apathy. We offer you several methods that are excellent prevention of any nervous disorders, including apathy.
- If apathy makes you feel sorry for yourself and cry, don't be shy about moping to your heart's content. Set aside some time for yourself and find solitude. Soon, crying and lamentations like "nobody appreciates me" will be replaced by a desire to act and do something.
- Relax, take a short vacation or spend your weekend in a different way than you usually do. Very often, apathy comes from routine and regular repetition of the same actions. Go on an excursion, visit friends or relatives or just spend your vacation actively.
- Movement is life, the need to move is a guarantee of a good mood and well-being. Nothing relieves apathy and stress like a good workout or active recreation.
Apathy prognosis
The prognosis of apathy largely depends on the stage and form of the disease. There is an active and passive type of apathy, each of which is accompanied by certain symptoms and is caused by certain reasons. Timely recognized symptoms of a nervous disorder allow you to cure apathy and give a positive prognosis. But if apathy is neglected and develops into depression, then this can cause serious nervous disorders - schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease. And in this case, the prognosis of apathy is unfavorable. Timely appeal for help to a qualified specialist and treatment of apathy is a guarantee of a positive prognosis of the disease.
Apathy is a modern disease that affects more and more people every year. Regular stress, lack of sleep and malnutrition are the main causes of apathy. A healthy lifestyle and avoiding nervous experiences is an ideal method of combating apathy.