Apathy is an attitude of indifference or indifference to everything that is happening around. Signs of apathy can range from a lack of enthusiasm to do anything to a hard time committing.
Apathy is normal to occur at certain times and almost everyone has experienced it. However, if this attitude persists, apathy can be a symptom of mental disorders, such as depression, and of physical illnesses that affect the brain, such as stroke, dementia, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Signs of Apathy
As explained earlier, there are various signs of apathy, including:
- Lack of enthusiasm or lack of energy to do anything
- Not motivated to reach a goal
- Difficulty or disinterest in continuing with tasks that need to be completed
- No longer interested in the things you used to like
- Depending on others to plan things
- Has no desire to learn new things and is indifferent to new people around him
- Not interested in new experiences
- Not feeling any emotions when good or bad things happen
- Don't care about the problems that befell yourself
- Less interested in news, social events and deep thoughts
- Can't commit to everything
How to Overcome Apathy
Initially, the owner of an apathetic attitude may not find himself in trouble. However, the people around him will usually be affected by this attitude. Because it can be caused by a serious illness, signs of persistent apathy need to be treated by a doctor.
The doctor will ask about the symptoms, either directly to the patient or indirectly to the family or relatives who delivered, trace the medical history, and perform a physical examination to determine the appropriate treatment.
Some of the recommended treatments to help with apathy are:
Drugs
If the results of the examination show that apathy appears due to a certain disease, the doctor will prescribe medication according to the illness. In people with Parkinson's disease, for example, dopamine stimulant drugs may be prescribed. Meanwhile, in people with depression, doctors may prescribe antidepressant drugs.
Psychotherapy
If apathy is triggered by depression or an anxiety disorder, your doctor may also recommend psychotherapy. One type of psychotherapy that is often used is cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy is done with the aim of changing negative thought patterns and behaviors into positive ones.
Lifestyle changes
It's not easy to do, but people with apathy should try to change their lifestyle. Patients with apathy are advised to re-socialize with those closest to them, even though the desire to socialize does not exist.
Plus, re-doing things you used to love can also help. Doing various kinds of fun activities can revive lost enthusiasm.
Signs of apathy should not be ignored, because this attitude can reduce a person's quality of life. If you know someone who is showing signs of apathy, reach out and take them to a psychiatrist or psychologist.