Understanding and overcoming avolition

Our motivation and energy levels can fluctuate for various reasons. We all have days when we’d rather take a nap than tackle our to-do lists. But for people who experience avolition, their lack of internal motivation is so persistent and severe that it negatively affects their ability to function in daily life.

Avolition is more than occasional episodes of procrastination or low energy. It can be a sign of schizophrenia or another mental health condition (see below). So, if an extreme loss of motivation or goal-directed behavior is negatively affecting your life or a loved one’s life, know that help is available. Learning more about avolition is a key step toward getting the right support. 

What avolition feels like

Avolition can involve a total loss of interest in activities a person used to enjoy. It can also involve a reduction in self-directed, intentional behavior. Unlike a temporary loss of motivation, avolition causes a significant interruption in a person’s ability to initiate basic life tasks (like hygiene and grooming).

People experiencing avolition tend to be less involved in work, school, vocational programs, and leisure activities. They may also exhibit limited social functioning, instead preferring to spend time alone. 

Here are some examples of what experiencing avolition might look and feel like in daily life:

• Not showering or neglecting one’s hygiene for extended periods of time
• Skipping meals — even when physically hungry — because of a loss of motivation to cook
• Missing important appointments despite having access to transportation
• Repeatedly failing to show up to work, school, or other commitments
• No longer participating in hobbies or leisure activities
• Having difficulty leaving the house or engaging in social activities
• Spending long hours in bed or on the couch with limited physical movement
• Ignoring phone calls, texts, and emails from everyone
• Not paying bills or taking necessary steps to maintain a household

One important point to clarify about avolition is that there’s a difference between a loss of motivation to engage in activities and a lack of access. For example, if a person doesn’t talk to their family and friends because those people are difficult to contact, that’s not a sign of avolition. Avolition might be present if the person’s loved ones continue to reach out but the person doesn’t return their calls or otherwise engage with them.

Similarly, a person might not pursue the hobbies they used to enjoy because they can no longer afford them. That’s different than experiencing avolition. Avolition may be present if a person has the means to access formerly enjoyed activities but no longer feels any desire to participate in them.

Lastly, fatigue can sometimes lead to a loss of motivation. For example, if you worked a double shift and are too exhausted to make dinner when you get home, that’s not a sign of avolition. Avolition persists even when people get adequate rest. It makes it hard to start or finish tasks, even when there’s a good reason to do them.

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What causes avolition?

We don’t know exactly what causes avolition. But there’s some evidence to suggest that it may be tied to differences in brain activity. Specifically, there’s a part of the brain that helps us plan and carry out actions, which includes motivating us to do things. Experts believe that, when this part of the brain isn’t working properly, it might contribute to the severe loss of motivation seen in various mental health conditions. 

Avolition’s link to mental health conditions

Sometimes, avolition can be difficult to detect because it’s largely an internal experience. However, providers can identify avolition by paying attention to how it might be showing up in a person’s life. For example, if a person is unable to maintain a hygiene routine, attend school, or get out of bed, they could be experiencing avolition due to the following conditions:

• Schizophrenia is the condition most frequently associated with avolition. It’s known to reduce motivation and self-initiated behavior. 
• Depression is a mood disorder that can involve fatigue, a sense of hopelessness or worthlessness, a loss of interest in formerly enjoyed activities, and an inability to feel pleasure.
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause problems with motivation, procrastination, and focus. These symptoms can make it more difficult to initiate and complete tasks. 
• Bipolar disorder creates severe mood fluctuations. During depressive episodes, a person may experience symptoms of depression, like low motivation and a loss of drive. 
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can lead to social and communication challenges, sensory overload, and issues with executive functioning. These symptoms can make it harder to engage with others, complete tasks, and maintain a self-care routine.

Steps to overcoming avolition

People experiencing avolition typically need professional help to manage their mental health. So, if you or someone you care about is having trouble functioning due to a significant loss of motivation, don’t hesitate to ask for help. A therapist or psychiatrist can provide a thorough evaluation of your avolition and other symptoms to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis.

Your treatment experience will be based on your diagnosis and unique strengths and challenges. However — whether your avolition is due to schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, or another concern — treatment will likely consist of a combination of:

• Therapy: By exploring the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behavior, approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people address the defeatist thoughts and negative expectations that might be contributing to low motivation.
• Medication: For some people, medication can be an important part of overcoming avolition and managing other symptoms. You can talk to your provider about the pros and cons of adding medication to your treatment plan.  
• Self-management: While not a replacement for professional help, there are some things you can do on your own to increase your motivation. For example, try to create a consistent schedule and stick to it. You can include necessary tasks (like doing laundry or taking a shower) along with leisure or social activities, like calling a friend.

Find care with Rula

Everyone has low energy days once in a while. But when a person feels unable to complete basic life tasks, it might be cause for concern. Avolition is a clinically significant loss of motivation that can accompany serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia. Fortunately, avolition doesn’t have to be permanent. By treating the underlying condition that’s causing your avolition, you can increase your motivation and ability to function in daily life.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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