How To Overcome Apathy, Depression, And Other Mental Health Conditions
While it is not an official clinical diagnosis, depression-related apathy can significantly impact daily functioning. Apathy and depression often involve poor concentration, low self-esteem, lack of emotion, low mood, tiredness, loss of interest, being unmotivated, and rejecting social connections.
The emotional indifference and lack of motivation associated with apathy can make it challenging to get yourself to make changes, which may keep you in a cycle of depression and cause difficulty in caring for your mental or physical health. To understand this phenomenon, it can be helpful to identify the cause of the apathy and treat the underlying mental health condition. In many cases, professional support can be valuable.
Determining the causes and symptoms of apathy, depression, and other mental health conditions
While apathy is not listed as a mental health condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), apathy is a symptom of several mental health conditions, including but not limited to depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and brain disorders. Understanding the connection between apathy and mental health conditions can help identify appropriate treatment options.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, apathy is a symptom of decreased cognitive function and delirium that might occur following a brain injury. It is also a common symptom of illnesses like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Huntington’s disease.
In some cases, apathy syndrome appears when life events — such as a significant loss in the family or a divorce — cause extreme emotional distress. Having apathy is a way for the mind to defend itself from that distress by suppressing complicated feelings so you can move forward and attempt to distract yourself. However, suppressing emotions and experiencing apathy may have physical health consequences.
Studies suggest that apathy can look different and have varied characteristics depending on the cause. Because of these differences, healthcare professionals in clinical practice may be mindful of the individual's medical history and mental health concerns when diagnosing or treating apathy.
How to find motivation and treatment when experiencing apathy
There may be ways to regain motivation, including lifestyle changes that you can consider for reducing apathy.
Get out of bed
People experiencing a depressive disorder might experience the inclination to stay in bed the entire day, skip work, or ignore personal responsibilities. It could be challenging, but consider taking one or two steps out of bed. Once you're up, go to the kitchen and drink a glass of water. You can also consider other tasks you might be able to complete while you're there. However, try not to pressure yourself too much, as it could worsen symptoms. Doing a minor task or making small progress can be better than making no progress.
Make your bed each morning
Even if you are unmotivated to complete housework or cleaning, making your bed each morning may help you sense that your space is cleaner. Studies show that people in messy homes often have higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), so keeping your home clean could reduce symptoms of apathy.
Go outside to see how sunlight can help with a lack of enthusiasm
Sitting outside or going for a walk may increase your motivation levels. Sunshine may boost your mood and increase the endorphin levels in your brain. In addition, the sun is a source of vitamin D. If you live in a cloudy, dark, or cold environment, your depression may be worsened by a lack of light or a vitamin D deficiency. In these cases, taking a vitamin D supplement and spending time in the sun or with a sun lamp can be beneficial.
Track your success to boost your interest and spark motivation
Success and confidence can initiate a positive cycle for your mental health. At the end of each day, write down three ways you were successful that day. These three successes might involve getting dressed, making your bed, and cooking dinner.
Create a routine
It may be easier to stick to routines when they've become habits in your daily life. Habits are actions you take without thinking. Try to create habits for your morning and evening to help you maintain a healthy level of self-care.
Maintain your emotional connection with friends and family members
When you feel apathetic, seeing others can be challenging. However, spending time with positive people who make you laugh could improve your mood. It may help to confide in the people closest to you about your apathy for support.
Eat healthy food
Some people experiencing depression are indifferent to eating. However, depriving your body of nutrients might not improve your mood. If you struggle to eat a full meal, focus on eating healthy snacks throughout the day. You might put them in a snack cart for easy reach.
Get enough sleep
Studies suggest that unhealthy sleep patterns — including not getting enough sleep — can have an adverse effect on mood. A lack of sleep can exacerbate your apathy and reduce motivation due to exhaustion or a lack of mental clarity.
Talk to a therapist to address symptoms of apathy, depression, or other mental health conditions and seek treatment
Some individuals may be affected by apathy for extended periods, and even with the above lifestyle changes, it can be difficult for them to move on. In these situations, the apathy may be related to a mental health condition. When living with a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, it can be challenging to perform daily tasks. You may benefit from speaking to a therapist to address these areas and seek treatment for apathy.
Counseling options
Apathy can interfere with daily life, but professional support may be an option for managing these feelings. Through understanding your symptoms, your therapist can help you build up your repertoire of coping skills to include methods you can try at home to improve motivation. In some cases, a therapist may refer you to a medical doctor, like a psychiatrist, to prescribe medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a supplemental treatment for apathy and depression. Talk to a licensed medical professional for additional information about medication.
If you struggle with motivation to leave home, it can be challenging to get support. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can help you discover the root cause of the apathy and depression from home. Through an online program, you can choose between phone, video, and live chat options and match with a therapist experienced in treating common mental health concerns like depression, which may cause apathy.
Peer-reviewed studies have shown that online therapy can effectively treat depression and similar mental health concerns that can produce apathy as a symptom. By using the techniques used in therapy to redirect your thoughts, you can re-engage with your interests and become motivated again. Online therapy can be effective and convenient; you can speak to a counselor from the comfort of your home at any time.
Takeaway
How do I deal with apathy?
There are different ways to deal with apathy, and it depends on its root cause. You can start by identifying the root cause and what triggers it. Regular emotional expression, like writing in a feelings journal, can help you notice patterns. If you find apathy worse on days when you isolate, try a small, goal-directed activity, such as opening the curtains or taking a three-minute walk. It can also be good to break your tasks into simpler parts or start doing new activities and hobbies. Joining a support group can help keep you accountable and provide fresh coping strategies. Sometimes, support or treatment from a mental health professional can be necessary to help treat apathy.
Can depression cause apathy?
Yes, depression apathy is well described in clinical psychiatry. When a person feels depressed, overwhelming sadness and reduced signaling in the ventral striatum can leave patients unmotivated to do even simple tasks. In more severe cases, basic emotional expression, such as smiling or talking about feelings, may feel effortful.
Is apathy a toxic trait since it’s a lack of enthusiasm, interest, motivation, or emotional connection?
Apathy isn't necessarily toxic, but it can make someone’s relationships harder and prevent personal growth, as it's more than just a lack of enthusiasm—it often manifests as withdrawn behavior. Persistent indifference can lead to caregiver distress. Addressing apathy early can have positive effects and reduce the risk of emotional blunting. There are many possible reasons and causes; one is the natural response to stress and struggles in your current situation.
How long does apathy last?
It depends on the root cause of apathy. Apathy can be short-lived if triggered by temporary fatigue or stress, but it often persists in a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s-related dementia or vascular dementia, or after a stroke, because goal‑directed behavior circuits are disrupted. If the apathy is caused by depression, another medical disease, or other mental health conditions, then it may persist for a couple of days to weeks and even months. Mental health professionals can always help you identify its root cause and give you the best support you need.
Can apathy be a coping mechanism?
Yes. After a major loss, divorce, brain injury, or other intense stress, the mind may dull emotional responses to protect you. This emotional numbness can manifest as apathy. People with frontotemporal dementia often display similar symptoms, suggesting that apathy can result from both psychological coping mechanisms and neurological conditions.
At what age does apathy start?
There’s no set age. Apathy can arise in teenagers, working-age adults, or older adults whenever a medical or emotional trigger is present. In later life, emerging neurodegenerative conditions may affect the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex—an area critical for initiating action, making apathy a potential early warning sign.
Does apathy syndrome go away?
Often it does. When the underlying issue, depression, anxiety, or medical condition is treated, motivation usually starts to return.
What medication is used for apathy?
Doctors sometimes add an antidepressant, typically an SSRI, when apathy comes with depression or similar disorders. In dementia‑related cases, clinicians may also try cholinesterase inhibitors, which can modestly improve motivation.
Is there a test for apathy?
There’s no single lab test. Clinicians rely on interviews, rating scales, and your medical history to judge how severe the apathy is and what’s causing it.
Can apathy be cured?
It can be greatly reduced and sometimes fully resolved through a mix of therapy, healthy routines, and, when needed, medication directed at the root cause.
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