A bad mood and periodically finding powerlessness is a normal phenomenon for a hectic pace of life. But if the dull background has become constant, and powerlessness has been replaced by indifference to the people around him and his own life, then this is a signal of a psychological problem.
What is apathy
The term came from Ancient Greece, where the wise elders who achieved enlightenment, eradicated vices and passions from their lives were called apathetic. Literally, apathy is translated as “dispassionate.”
In the modern sense, apathy looks different: melancholy, despondency, passivity, detachment. The term is no longer considered a compliment, but a symptom of a number of psychological disorders, such as depression, or character accentuation.
With apathy, a person is not affected by either positive or negative events. Life seems meaningless, boring, monotonous. At the same time, the desire to change something does not arise. The person looks emotionless, like a robot.
Actually, the individual behaves in the same way. He experiences neither joy nor sadness. He doesn’t care if it’s hot outside or cold. He is indifferent to what is given for lunch and, in general, whether there will be dinner. He ignores the experiences of his family, does not react to the events of his own life. Living doll.
The defense mechanism of the psyche
Like laziness, apathy can signal overwork. Under conditions of increased stress, stress, responsibility, the body’s resources are gradually depleted. Then the protective subconscious mechanism turns on – the renunciation of everything that happens.
Causes of apathy in men and women
The reasons do not depend on gender. Apathy is caused by:
- chronic stress;
- difficult life situation;
- traumatic event;
- workaholism;
- dangerous, responsible work;
- age, personal, family, existential crisis;
- job loss;
- a sharp change in the usual way of life;
- professional emotional burnout.
Apathy is a blocking mechanism that protects the psyche from burnout, nervous breakdown.
Some people get apathy on a regular basis. This is their feature, personality trait. The prerequisites are physiological features: the predominance of inhibition processes over excitation processes. Or learning, when a person becomes passive and lack of initiative in the process of socialization, overprotection on the part of the parents.
As a consequence of psychotrauma, apathy may not develop immediately, but after years, enter into post-traumatic syndrome. In this case, the true cause is fixed at the unconscious level. Correction requires psychotherapy, possibly hypnosis.
Sometimes apathy is a side effect of taking medications prescribed to correct a depressive state, neurosis. In this case, it is necessarily accompanied by drowsiness, weakness, fatigue.
Signs of apathy
If such a state is not characteristic of a person from birth, then it is easy to notice the changes:
- loss of interest in previous hobbies;
- retreat in the implementation of the plans;
- frustration with goals;
- self-doubt, loss of motivation;
- isolation;
- hardened neutral mask on the face;
- phrases “I don’t care”, “it doesn’t matter”;
- decreased social activity;
- indifference to what used to be disgusting;
- monotonous speech;
- short answers to questions or ignoring them;
- loss of the ability to rejoice, have fun;
- inability to show empathy.
A person continues to perform duties, go to school or work, but tries to complete tasks as quickly as possible, does not focus on the result.
Facial expression and body position also signal changes: drooping posture, dull eyes, low mobility, lack of facial expressions. Even internal reactions do not manifest themselves under appropriate conditions: with excitement, the color of the skin does not change, no sweat is released.
At advanced stages, a person forgets about the rules of hygiene, which rapidly affects the appearance. An individual lacks the desire and strength to cook wholesome food, to clean up the house.
In addition, severe apathy is manifested by inhibition of reactions, fading eyes at one point, reproduction of monotonous actions: swinging a leg, tapping fingers.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. If apathy is the result of an emotional overload that happened recently, then it is enough to organize a good rest, go on vacation, isolate oneself from everyday problems, go out of town.
However, one should not think that apathy will go away immediately. It developed slowly, the “cup” was gradually filled. You will come out of this state just as smoothly.
Even if you are sure you know the cause of the apathy, see a psychologist. Detachment and life fatigue is a serious problem. Do not forget that the reaction is delayed, unconscious. Consultation with a psychologist with such a symptom will not be superfluous.
Do it yourself anyway:
- normalize sleep, work and rest;
- increase stress resistance;
- minimize annoying factors;
- walk;
- go in for sports;
- do a contrast shower;
- start taking vitamins.
Apathy is based on unmet needs. Move along the pyramid from the lower row. Think about how satisfied you are with food, sleep, safety. Next, evaluate your environment, the need for significance, love, friendship. Move smoothly to respect and fulfillment. Perhaps you yourself will suspect in which sphere the hole was originally, before it absorbed all life.
Epilogue
Think when you noticed the first signs of apathy. Perhaps someone has offended you, disappointed. In response to what have you turned off your feelings? Don’t force yourself to be strong. Allow to go through the grief, forgive the offense. Your “car” has run out of gasoline. You cannot push it for a long time. Find a “gas station”.
If you are just tired, burned out, then leave for a couple of days in a calm. Take sick leave and make it the way you want. Do you want anything? Then don’t do anything. The psyche will recover, the apathy will pass. If this did not happen, then the reason is more serious. See a psychologist.
