Schizophrenia's Lack of Motivation - Overcoming Avolition
Вставка
- Опубліковано 12 тра 2024
- Join me on my walk as I explain how schizophrenia has made participating in regular life activities, including exercising, driving, and recreational activities, difficult. A lack of motivation in schizophrenia is called avolition. Avolition is a "negative" symptom of schizophrenia, which causes decreased motivation to complete goal-directed actions. Therefore, I have set a goal to increase my motivation to engage in activities!
Setting Goals and Finding Strategies to Boost Motivation and Participation in Regular Life Activities
Introduction
Living with schizophrenia can significantly impact one's ability to participate in regular activities, such as exercising, driving, and engaging in recreational activities. One of the reasons behind this struggle is avolition, a "negative" symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a lack of motivation to complete goal-directed actions. In this blog post, I will share my experiences with avolition and discuss the steps I am taking to increase my motivation and re-engage with the activities that make life fulfilling and enjoyable.
Understanding Avolition in Schizophrenia
Avolition is a core negative symptom of schizophrenia. It can manifest in various ways, including difficulty initiating and maintaining daily activities, reduced interest in social interactions, and a general lack of motivation. Avolition can be particularly challenging to cope with, as it can lead to social isolation and reduced quality of life.
The Impact of Avolition on Everyday Life
In my experience, avolition has made it challenging to participate in regular life activities that many people take for granted. Simple tasks such as exercising, driving, and engaging in hobbies have become daunting and challenging to initiate. This lack of motivation has sometimes left me feeling disconnected from the world around me and limited my ability to engage in life fully.
Setting Goals to Increase Motivation
I have set several goals to combat avolition and increase my motivation to engage in activities. These goals are realistic, achievable, and aimed at gradually re-integrating activities into my daily life. By setting and working towards these goals, I hope to regain a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which can ultimately help to improve my overall well-being.
Strategies for Overcoming Avolition
There are several strategies that I am implementing to help me overcome avolition and achieve my goals. Some of these strategies include:
Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps: I can make them less overwhelming and more achievable by breaking activities into smaller components.
Developing a daily routine: Creating a structured routine can provide stability and make incorporating activities into my day easier.
Seeking support from friends and family: Sharing my goals with loved ones can help me stay accountable and motivated.
Rewarding progress: Recognizing and celebrating small achievements can boost motivation and encourage continued progress.
Incorporating physical activity: Regular exercise has been shown to improve mood and overall mental health, which can help to counteract avolition.
Conclusion
Living with schizophrenia and avolition can be challenging, but it is possible to reclaim everyday activities and improve one's quality of life. By setting realistic goals, implementing strategies to boost motivation, and seeking support from loved ones, I am taking steps towards overcoming avolition and fully engaging in life again. In addition, sharing my journey and experiences may help others facing similar challenges and contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of living with schizophrenia. Together, we can work towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
#schizophrenia #depression #mentalhealth #anxiety
Before I got schizophrenia (and the pandemic), I used to hit the gym twice a week, every week, and kept that going for years. My avolition, among other things, meant I left a PhD programme with an MPhil. I still have schizophrenia and I still experience avolition to an extent, but I'm doing much better at my second attempt at a PhD.
I just wish I could exercise again. I wish I could cook for myself, keep my flat tidy, and attend tutorials I'd, otherwise, be paid to teach.
Schizophrenia sucks major balls.
Thank for sharing your experiences. I can relate.
I have severe depression with anhedonia and lack of motivation. Similar to you, I spend an inordinate amount of time at home and it's had much the same impact on me... My stress is way down. But based on some points you made in the video, I googled "stress curve" which returned "stress/performance" curve. It's a bell curve showing that too little stress/pressure leads to boredom and low motivation. Too much stress and you burn out. The sweet spot, which varies based on the individual, is somewhere in the middle. But we definitely need some stress in our lives... I've been realizing this lately. Best of luck to you as you build a routine for yourself!
Hi AJ! I totally agree. Everyone needs some stress in life. It’s a balance. Thank you very much for your insightful comment and joining me on my journey!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia I think it's important to differentiate between pressure and stress. Pressure is an unpleasant experience that drives you to perform. Stress is pressure that you can't handle.
Depression is treatable👍 but schizophernia is no cure
What caused your depression was it chronic stress ?
Y. TY 6. 8hh😂
Your honesty is so appreciated. Thank you for not sugar coating things. You're very brave to open up your life to us. It is so helpful to me so watch your videos.
Thank you very much!
What your doing will increase your dopamine output. Keep on doing what you can. It's good to challenge yourself. We all need to do that.
Thank you, very true!
I don't have schizophrenia. But I do suffer with avolition daily. I came here looking for hope. Some way to fight it. I haven't found anything useful. My therapist hasn't helped either. I usually just force myself, but that's just not working anymore. Since your video is 10 months ago, I hope you've found a way.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day
My 19 year old son is very similar to you in the motivation lacking behavior. In fact, we even live very nearby you (in Torrance). We’re in the process of getting him diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. He also struggles with avolition/lack of motivation to such a degree that he doesn’t do much anymore. He basically sits in a trance or talks about his delusions all day if left to his own devices. Currently, he’s taking Risperidone, but it doesn’t seem to be helping with any of his symptoms aside from controlling the extreme aggression he used to have. I wish he would let me enroll him in activities or help him make friends because he seems so depressed and lonely. 😔
Thank you for sharing! I wish you and your son the very best.
I also have schizophrenia, and even when my positive symptoms are under control, which it is for the most part, the avolition is what really gets me. Can’t answer the phone can’t make phone calls. I want to go do things but can’t get myself to even get out. I do stay home a lot and work out every day.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I appreciate it.
bro also, lifting weights, biking, and playing the guitar or something can really change your momentum and really makes you feel better. i do all 3 of these. playing 1 hour every day, bike and lift weights in the morning. just doing these things can really create improvement. and then maybe finding other simple easy tasks.
Nick! Thank you very much for your suggestions. I used to play guitar and enjoyed it for a while, but haven’t in a long time. I will try to do some of these things! Thank you for joining me on my journey!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia always here
This is extreme for me bro im suffering with this too
Keep up the good fight man. Mental illness is tough but you’re a warrior. You got this homie. 💪💪
Thank you William!
Love your honesty and be proud of yourself for making the effort!!
Thank you!
Hello, hi Stephen, I just wanted to say hello there & let you know i appreciate your videos. Thank you
Hai good to see you, have a good day tks for taking time to motivate and update us god bless you
Thank you very much! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
I have paranoid schizophrenia and I take olanzapine for it. Also fluoxetine. And I experience low motivation too but I think it has partly to do with medication too. Because olanzapine and a lot of other antipsychotics block dopamine in brain and dopamine is a hormone that makes you feel motivated to do things, so when it’s low we lack motivation. It sort of deepens the negative symptom of schizophrenia which is annoying. I try still to get things done in a day, like shower, my work, go to the grocery store or for a walk with friend, I also try to exercise when I have energy but it’s for 5 minutes a day or every other day. What I was saying is that low motivation is a schizophrenia symptom but also antipsychotics low dopamine too.
That is very true. Thank you for your insightful comment! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia thank you! You have a good day too
Thats real💙💯
Thank you so much for this comment I noticed that I don't have the same motivation I had before I started taking medication this provides closure
Can you pls tell what dosage of olanzapine you have been taking?
Hi! Well done for keeping up with the exercise. I like walking. Maybe listen to an interesting or funny podcast. How about making a schedule for your exercises, so even if you're lacking motivation on certain days it may help you get out there and do something? Wishing you all the best. You seem like a lovely young man. You deserve lots of friends. I'm sure that will come for you. Take care!
That’s a great idea to make a schedule! I will work on that. Thank you very much! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia I don't have Schizophrenia but I do that too with my dog!! Just don't beat yourself up if you get home before your podcast episode is over. Be where you are today! Push yourself, but don't wreck yourself! :)
What you are doing is amazing..I Love The fact that you keep going no matter what...
Thank you very much! That means a lot to me!
sunlight helps mood a lot i have found
Yes I agree! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this I have schizophrenia too and what you described is exactly how I feel, we got this 🙏🏿💪🏿💪🏿
Thank you very much! That means a lot to me!
Thank you so much for this video!! It’s good to know my loved one is not alone!
Thank you Sarah!
Same here, i get that feeling that I am going to enjoy video game, I start it and after 15 mins of playing i dont feel any exitement. Also with exercising, exercized for 3 months and quit. For someone like me who is personal trainer I should be in gym every single day, but i feel so flat when I train, even when i see progression in mirror. Dont know how to exolain it, but flatness is best explanation. I just dont feel joy anymore :/
Yeah, It's tough. Maybe we can motivate and encourage each other! Thank you very much for sharing! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Damn. Reading that comment actually hurt my heart. Well then I hope you can still find love, and peace, and other beautiful things in this world❤
And I hope both of you find at least least a moment of joy once again
@@chelseyscanlon9660 ty so much
Hi steven totally understand you hope you find a way to motivate yourself and enjoy the things that you want to do .
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
This morning I was also unmotivated for morning meditation and reading so I watched this video instead. You are great at putting things into words! Maybe ”Beta Sitosterol” can be something. It is a natural plant compound that can increase drive in a smooth way for a few hours. It can also reduce inflammation and protect the kidneys. Some use it to reduce chronic fatigue. Around 800 mg 1-2 times when needed. (:
Thank you! I will look into it!
Thanks for sharing.its a great help to understand my son's condition. when he is not motivated at all.
Thank you for watching! So happy that it helped. Makes me feel good! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
I really understand what is happening with you. I have been asked to take olanzapine. And need to exercise or my body will be fatter than I would like. Keep up the good work. I really like your channel.
Thank you so much!
There’s nothing better than exercise for this disease. Hopefully some of these new meds coming out Ulotaront, KARxt ect. Can replace some of this I’ve heard great things about tjem
Thank you
Hello 🙂 been having similar symptoms and not diagnosed yet
I am energetic however most of the time I never do something no matter the consequences...I just keep on pacing knowing very well I have something to do.... even at school i always fail to meet deadlines not because of just fatigue I just don't know why I fail to move and do it
Thank you for sharing. I hope things get better for you
im the same way man. it just takes time and eventually things come together after built up consistency. ive fallen off and im trying to discipline myself to get back on.
Thanks for the insight and encouragement! It really helps me!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia of course man.
I feel the same way. I often wonder if the antipsychotics are to blame for lack of motivation and inability to enjoy things.
Thank you Shelley! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
GOOD VIDEO!
Thank you!
I am same boat your in with Schizophrenia but I have sleep apnea too. I found my motivation is low but usually have force my self to do things all time. I am on Modafinil for my sleep apnea and give me tons energy but no motivation. Modafinil is my energy pill.
Thank you for sharing! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia. I lost my meds because my dad wouldn't keep taking me to my doctor's appointments.
Jeffrey, thank you for sharing. That is tough. Is there any other way for you to get your medication?
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia I'm trying to find a way to get my meds back. I might need my grandma to help with the transportation to and from the doctors office at CMHS.
That sounds good!
What video games do you play Steven?
I enjoy playing Role Playing Games and Strategy games most. Some of my favorite games are any of the Pokémon games, Civilization V, Stardew Valley, and city builder games.
FIFA is often played here. It's an expensive hobby though as you have to buy points or play 24/7 to get. Will look into your games.
Did you ever think of taking up the tin whistle. You can make nice friends through this and attend and play in sessions.
Thank you for sharing! I will look into it!
Stephen how old was you when you started clozapine? :) I’m starting next week for the 3 time I need to keep taking it :)
I was 13. Best of luck!
Have you heard about acceptance and commitment therapy? It forces me to review my objectives quite easily. Sometimes you had objectives but you realized you dont care about it anymore. The ACT therapy pushed me to review my objectives a lot
I have not. Thank you very much, I will look into it! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Iam on schizophrenia 1and half years and every body tell me that the negative symptoms its going to be better by the time i am not sure because i dont have any motivation at all i dont know if this going to change iam waiting this new medicine kartx to treat me better
Thank you for sharing
How are you feeling now
You might need a higher dose to improve your motivation. My daughter is 12 and takes 300 mg as a start. Did your doctor ever thought of increasing your clozapine dose ?
Thank you for this information! I will check with my psychiatrist.
Now you are symptoms free?
Thank you. No, I am not symptom free