The content of the article
Our life is a constantly replenished chest of emotions. Every day we experience positive and negative feelings. This fills us with impressions, helps us to see the contrast and move on along the path of life. The moment when the difference between everything that happens is blurred, called apathy.
What is apathy
Apathy is a mental state of indifference, detachment and stoic calm. This term came to us from antiquity when such a state was called the unreasonable movement of the soul. In psychology and psychiatry, a disorder of this kind is considered as a pathology that requires timely diagnosis and proper treatment. Apathy can accompany various mental disorders, one of which is schizophrenia.
Causes of apathy
The causes of the disease can be both external and internal factors. It is quite possible that such a condition appears against the background of complete physical health, but due to the performance of loads that are several times higher than the body's capabilities. Apathy can suffer people of absolutely different sex, status, age. With the combination of some circumstances in life, its causes may be:
- Overwork - as a result of prolonged hard work. In this case, it is customary to talk about “burnout”.
- Hormonal failure - pregnancy, the postpartum period, menopause, endocrine system problems.
- Damage to the brain - even after a fairly long period of time after neuroinfection, head trauma or any other diseases accompanied by involvement of brain tissue, apathy can occur. In this case, an apathetic state may indicate more serious diseases - Alzheimer's disease or senile dementia.
- Prolonged abuse of alcohol or drugs.
- Taking pills, such as hormonal-based contraceptives, some heart medications, as well as uncontrolled use of antidepressants.
- Long-term stress - asocial family members, tyrannical bosses and much more can lead to a complete renunciation of the situation and, as a result, to apathy.
- Lack of nutrients and vitamins in the body.
- Mental illness and disorder.
Apathy in its mild form most likely affected each of us. Autumn spleen, spring vitamin deficiency, fatigue, a prolonged illness or a life crisis are the causes of a short-term emotional decline and indifference. Anxiety and anxiety should be caused by cases in which impaired memory, intelligence or other mental functions are clearly traced, prolonged indifference, passivity, neglect of appearance and personal hygiene. If you notice something like this among loved ones, immediately seek help from specialists.
Symptoms of Apathy
Symptoms of apathy can be combined in two words - this is indifference and detachment. Among all manifestations of a state of apathy, the most common and indicative are:
- Refusal to perform duties or work - can reach the extreme point when the patient is not able to force himself to perform even hygiene procedures, get out of bed, eat.
- Social isolation. It happens that a person of "soul-company" suddenly refuses to go to events, reduces the number of friends, or even removes them from his life.
- Constantly bad mood. Lack of interest in past hobbies. Hobbies are one of the main sources of positive emotions.A man in an apathetic state loses the slightest interest in his beloved business.
- Dizziness, nausea, general weakness, impaired memory are vivid symptoms of apathy.
- A constant feeling of abandonment and acute loneliness. Unreasonable feeling of fear and anxiety.
From the above list, anxiety and an immediate appeal to specialists should cause persistent dizziness, impaired memory, fear and anxiety. Even if a loved one assures that he is feeling fine, look for the opportunity to see a doctor for a consultation. It is also important not to confuse apathy and depression. Depression is characterized by the absence of physical and moral strength to do anything, apathy is, first of all, the absence of any desire to continue work, communication, life.
Types of Apathy
There are only three types of apathy. The first - it is also the most dangerous - active apathy. Characterized by complete indifference to work, entertainment, communication. The patient refuses to leave the bed, eat, take care of himself. Outwardly, a person can look absolutely normal and not show any signs of internal self-destruction. Sufferers of this type of illness are most susceptible to suicide.
The second type is passive apathy. It is quite noticeable indifference to life, work, people. The lack of focus on the result, and even its achievement is absolutely indifferent. The third type is traumatic apathy. The definition itself speaks of the causes of its occurrence. Head injuries can lead to unreasonable aggression, nervousness, tantrums. After eliminating the brain disease, the state of apathy also passes.
How to fight and get rid of apathy
Each of us is at risk of falling into a state of apathy. But a short-term disorder is easier and easier to overcome than a neglected and deep one. What should you do if you suddenly feel a prisoner of illness?
- Adjust your diet. A range of products can help you overcome your unwanted condition. Chocolate, bananas, rosehip tincture, sea buckthorn tea, bee honey, ice cream, milk are products that increase the production of the hormone of happiness endorphin.
- The next step towards recovery is sleep. Always and everywhere, a good rest, and a good healthy sleep are the key to an excellent mood and good spirits. Before you go to bed, be sure to ventilate the bedroom. And while you sleep, leave the window slightly ajar - saturation of blood with oxygen at night will make you feel great throughout the entire working day.
- Physical activity also belongs to the main methods of fighting apathy. Sport, movement is life. If you are already visiting the gym, you can simply change the daily driving route in addition. Get to work the other way, refuse public transport, take an extra walk.
- The next method of dealing with apathy can be communication. Do not fence yourself off from your loved ones. If you have a desire to cry, and this can also help, do not restrain yourself. The “vest” of a loved one, sympathy, a desire to listen and help can have a very positive effect on your condition.
- Further, it is simple, but very effective to clean the house, clean the house of dust, throw away unnecessary trash, old things, dismantle the eternal rubble on the balcony. Even at the psychological level, they say, you can’t store the old stuff - it is a source of negative thoughts. Down with the negative. And with it the trash from home!
- A visit to the sauna, gatherings with friends, the organization of the holiday “I don’t want to” are methods of getting rid of apathy, which have established themselves as effective and effective.
- You can also note the good old shopping, beauty salon or spa.You do not need to radically change in a state of apathy! You can always dye your hair or cut your hair, but an unsuccessful hairstyle, and even more so an unsuccessful hair color, can drive even the most balanced person into tears and hysteria.
Apathy Medicines
In case of extreme neglect of the mental state, help from specialists cannot be avoided. In such a situation, it is necessary to visit a general practitioner. Based on the results of the examination and tests, he can refer you to an endocrinologist, cardiologist, oncologist, gynecologist, for a consultation with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Drug treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease and its specifics, vitamins and adaptogens, as well as stronger drugs from the group of nootropics, are prescribed. For serious mental illness, a psychiatrist may prescribe sedatives and antipsychotics.
Prevention of apathetic conditions
In order not to fall into an apathetic state, you should adhere to a few simple rules. So, more fresh air, movement, healthy food, less stress and worry over nothing, alcohol. So that life does not turn into an endless series of work-houses, find new hobbies and hobbies. Start running in the mornings, embroider a cross-stitch, do scrubbing, sign up for yoga. But at the same time, do not forget that the body is not iron and really evaluate your strength.
In other words, do not overload yourself with excessive physical exertion, do not allow emotional exhaustion and nervous strain. Relax more often, and especially after doing any work. Do not be discouraged in case of failure or loss. You must always remember that in life from bitter disappointments there is no escape, and take all strikes with dignity. Try to quickly switch from negative to positive, and then a decadent state will not catch you by surprise and will not make you suffer.
Saturation of the body with vitamins, oxygen and positive emotions will invariably support you in great physical shape, and, as you know, in a healthy body - a healthy mind! Love yourself and be healthy!
Video: how to overcome depression, apathy and laziness
Submit