Apathy: symptoms, signs in women, men, adolescents. What to do

Apathy is a psychological process, which is just a symptom of other internal disorders. Pathology in women occurs less often than in men, but it also requires a mandatory visit to a specialist.

What is apathy and the mechanisms of its development, who is predisposed

The mechanisms of development in apathy are different. However, the main factor is the depletion of reserves of psychic energy - feelings, emotions, desires.

The process is characterized by a lack of interest in life, emotional and social involvement. Since women are more prone to show emotions due to external circumstances, the severity of the violation is much less.

Often, pathology develops as a protective mechanism of the psyche, which prevents further waste of energy resources.

The difference between apathy and depression lies in the absence of negative emotions in the first case.

The reasons for the development of apathy

Apathy in women can develop against a background of various factors, most of which are associated with individual character traits. However, in some cases, pathology can arise as a result of external factors or internal diseases.

Psychological reasons

The psychological factor is associated with personality traits and character of a person. External events and individual qualities often lead to the development of apathy.

Causes:

• Failure or defeat. The lack of a result or an unattained goal leads to the development of a violation due to excessive demands on oneself.
• Lack of purpose. The state arises as a result of the completion of all previous goals and achievements, when all desires are satisfied, and new goals are not created.
• Lack of independence. Such a state is associated with the protective mechanisms of the woman's psyche, which, due to fear of failure, or shifts responsibility to other people.
• Stressful situations. In this case, apathy and indifference to society occurs as a result of emotional shock or severe stress. This state is a defense mechanism of the psyche against further waste of energy.
• Frustration - inability to satisfy current desires. It arises as a result of negative experience and previous events - an unsuccessful marriage, fear of divorce.
• MonotoneLifestyle. Monotony in everyday life often leads to the development of apathy. The events of each day are repeated, and the person does not receive new emotions and impressions.
• Shock. The main factor in women is pregnancy and childbirth. Apathy in this case acts as a defensive reaction of the psyche.

In some cases, several factors may be present at once.

Mental illness

Apathy (symptoms in women, men and children may differ and be similar to other mental disorders) requires timely referral to a specialist so that the condition does not worsen.

Mental disorders can lead to the development of severe forms of apathy. Such patients require daily help with everyday life and care, as they cannot independently go about their daily activities.

Diseases:

• Depression. It is formed as a result of prolonged and severe stress. One of the forms is apathetic depression.
• Schizoid psychopathy - a violation characterized by minimal emotional manifestations and a tendency to daydreaming, philosophical reflections and non-standard hobbies.
• Schizophrenia. In patients with a similar disease, simplicity of thinking, avarice of emotions and indifference are observed.
• Hospitalism. A hospital stay in the absence of adequate communication with family or friends can lead to lethargy.

These violations require compulsory treatment and supervision by a doctor.

Neurological diseases

Apathy can occur as a result of organic brain diseases - strokes, infections, vascular disorders.

Types of pathologies:

• Infectious damage to the brain or body. The most common cause is neuroinfection (meningitis), when microorganisms invade nerve tissues and cells. Also, indifference can occur against the background of HIV infections. The condition and signs of the disorder develop gradually. In this case, the process can be complemented by depression.
• Various forms of dementia - occur against the background of changes in the white matter produced by the brain. The condition is characterized by degenerative changes in the vessels of the brain and most often occurs in the elderly. At the same time, patients' motivation decreases, emotions become less pronounced.
• Complications and consequences after TBI. At the same time, there is rapid fatigue, decreased performance and memory impairment. Pathology develops in patients with astheno-neurotic disorders.
• Neoplasms in the brain. Apathy occurs when the swelling affects the frontal lobes or the pituitary gland. In this case, other psychoemotional disorders can also occur.

Also, other problems with the central nervous system and the brain can become the cause of indifference and indifference.

Taking medications and alcohol

Taking certain medications or alcoholic beverages can also trigger the development of apathy. In most cases, the violation is provoked by drugs such as sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants.

Indifference Syndromes:

• Neuroleptic. Develops against the background of the use of antipsychotics. In this case, affective states, fading of interest and social activity can occur.
• SSRI-induced. It occurs as a result of prolonged use of antidepressants belonging to the SSRI group.
• Adverse reactions after taking sleeping pills. The disorder develops due to the oppression of the central nervous system.
• Withdrawal Syndrome. In most cases, it is observed in the 2nd stage of a hangover. It develops in women much less frequently than in men.

Oral contraception and antibacterial drugs can also provoke the development of the disease.

Types and stages

Apathy (symptoms in women and men can manifest themselves in different ways) is divided into several main types and stages, depending on the nature of its origin and severity. The very same violation is divided into 3 main types, depending on external factors and characteristics of the human psyche.

Views:

• Passive form - the patient has no interest in life, while the person's position is fundamental.
• Active form - the absence of any external signs, internal destruction occurs, which can ultimately lead to suicide.
• Traumatic type of illness - occurs as a result of injuries and damage caused by external influences.

Also, pathology is divided into several stages, depending on the severity and onset of its occurrence - the initial (first), second (passing) and third (severe).

Common symptoms of apathy

Apathy in women, men and children can manifest itself in different ways. Moreover, the severity may also differ depending on the form of the disorder.

Common symptoms:

• tiredness and lethargy (general weakness);
• lack of strength and drowsiness;
• indifference, lack of aspirations and motivation;
• unstable psycho-emotional state;
• decreased mental activity;
• sleep disturbance (insomnia);
• lack of interest in communication, hobbies;
• unwillingness to perform daily tasks, work;
• decreased appetite;
• depressed mood;
• trouble concentrating.

In addition to the main signs, there may be other manifestations, depending on the nature of the origin of apathy. Thus, in mental disorders, this symptomatology can be supplemented by other symptoms characteristic of a particular disease.

With head injuries, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and headaches may develop.

Gender Signs of Apathy

In women and men, the signs of indifference and indifference are similar to each other. However, the degree of their severity in women is usually higher. Moreover, the incidence of the disorder is much higher in men.

Among women

In women, indifference and indifference has a deeper emotional devastation, since most of the time they carry out when performing social and household duties - caring for a child, communicating with friends or parents.

Symptoms:

• loss of interest in communication;
• unwillingness to engage in their hobbies and hobbies;
• inability to show emotions - to be happy, sad or annoyed;
• distraction and inattention;
• general weakness and memory impairment;
• lack of desire to occupy household items - to cook dinner, pick up an outfit, make a list for buying groceries.

At the same time, many women very often confuse laziness and apathy, against the background of which the condition is aggravated and develops into more pronounced and severe forms.

In men

Apathy, in addition to the main reasons, in men can arise as a result of age-related changes (midlife crisis) or problems related to work, career. For women, this factor is less important. In this case, the symptoms in all cases will be similar.

Signs of the disorder:

• limitation of mobility and activity, an attempt to close off from the world (a man spends most of his time at home);
• unwillingness to go to work;
• refusal to meet with family and friends;
• lack of desire to do household chores, hobbies, hobbies;
• loss of appetite;
• refusal to carry out hygiene procedures;
• disappointment in family values;
• lack of faith in yourself and your strength.

With the preservation of such signs and timely therapy, the condition can worsen and lead to the development of severe forms of depression.

How apathy manifests itself in young children

In young children, indifference does not develop as often as in adults. However, at the same time, concomitant symptoms also develop, which will make it possible to determine the violation in time.

Symptoms:

• increased moodiness;
• general tiredness;
• lack of desire to do something;
• drowsiness;
• sleep disorders (prolonged sleep, after which lethargy, lethargy are felt);
• increased body temperature (in rare cases);
• changes in taste and smell;
• nausea and vomiting (extremely rare);
• headaches.

In more rare cases, a child may experience blanching of the skin and an increase in the volume of lymph nodes located in the neck region.

Manifestations of lethargy in adolescents

Apathy during adolescence is common. This is due in most cases to hormonal changes in the body and an attempt at social adaptation.

Symptoms:

• restless sleep;
• lack of interest in everyday or favorite activities and hobbies;
• laziness;
• unwillingness to communicate with peers;
• melancholic state;
• lack of confidence in yourself and your strengths.

Indifference in adolescence can be triggered by family problems, overprotection, and frequent stressful situations.

Diagnostic methods

Apathy (symptoms in women can develop against the background of other internal disorders) requires mandatory diagnostics to determine the cause of its origin. A psychiatrist is involved in the treatment and detection of pathology. First of all, the patient is examined, data is collected, anamnesis is studied.

In severe forms, the conversation should be conducted with relatives, since the patient cannot independently answer questions.

Diagnostics	Peculiarities
Psychodiagnostic testing	The study allows you to find the psychological causes of the disease. For this, various tests are carried out, which in each case are selected by the doctor individually - the SMIL or Eysenck questionnaire, determination according to the Cattel depression scale. Other techniques may be prescribed (in case of suspicion of mental illness).
Examination by a neurologist	The specialist examines the state of the patient's central nervous system. With organic disorders of the central nervous system, additional studies are used to clarify and diagnose.
Instrumental diagnostics of the brain	These techniques include: MRI, CT and ultrasound of the brain and its vessels. When disturbed, damage to the limbic or pituitary system often occurs.

Against the background of all the examinations carried out, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.

Recovery stages

Rehabilitation after an illness can take a long time and depends on the person's desire to get rid of the problem and improve his life.

Recovery stages:

• Getting rid of fears. At this stage, you need to learn to believe in yourself and your strength.
• Improved mood. It is necessary to realize the existence of the problem and the reason for its development. This will allow the patient to move on.
• Getting rid of negative thoughts. At this stage, the patient begins to work with his consciousness and learns to control his thoughts and thinking.
• Drawing up a plan for life. This technique allows you to feel more confident and avoid unpleasant thoughts.

After the last stage, the person's mood improves, he seeks to interact with the world around him, communicate with new people and new hobbies.

Apathy treatment

Apathy (symptoms in women and men develop gradually and, in the absence of timely therapy, become more pronounced) requires mandatory complex therapy. Drugs and other techniques are selected based on the age of the patient and the severity of the pathology.

Drugs and medicines

Medicines are selected based on the cause of the apathy.

Thus, if the illness is caused by overwork or excessive stress (physical or mental), the following remedies are used:

• mineral vitamin complexes and biologically active additives;
• adaptogens of plant origin (pharmacy tincture of eleutherococcus or ginseng).

For neurological and mental illnesses, stronger medications are prescribed:

• antidepressants;
• psychostimulants;
• analeptics.

The name, dosage and other features of the use of drugs are established by the attending physician.

Psychological help

Psychological assistance with indifference and indifference is indicated for patients with severe forms of impairment. Psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques are used as the main methods. During the sessions, the specialist tries to establish the causes of the development of the disease and suggests methods for solving the problem.

Thanks to such therapy, a person re-learns to experience and express emotions, set himself feasible tasks and overcome difficulties and obstacles. The doctor also gives recommendations on preventing the development of stressful conditions and resolving conflict situations.

The second stage involves conducting collective sessions of psychotherapy, trainings, which allows a person to learn how to interact with people around him and increases motivation.

Lifestyle correction

It is also recommended to adjust the lifestyle as an adjunctive treatment. The patient is encouraged to introduce new activities and hobbies into his life. At the first stage, such classes seem uninteresting, however, in the future it can play a decisive role.

It is also necessary to find or remember what kind of sport or hobby a person was interested in before - football, volleyball, drawing.

Other recommendations:

• avoidance of stressful situations;
• observe work and rest regimes;
• adhere to the rules of a healthy and wholesome diet;
• perform and observe moderate physical activity.

To increase the effectiveness of therapy, it is necessary that close and dear people take part in the recovery process. Their interest in life, hobbies and emotions can serve as a good incentive to motivate the patient.

At the first symptoms of apathy, even minor ones, you should immediately contact a specialist, as the condition can worsen and lead to severe forms or depression. For women after the birth of a child, consultation with a psychologist is shown in the first place.

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