Weak will is a character trait that often brings its owner a lot of trouble, plunging him into a depressed state. Such a person should take up the education of willpower and get rid of this trait. But there is a possibility that he has developed aboulia. This is a psychotic state from which you can not get out with the help of conventional training.
What is abulia?
Abulia is a psychological disorder that is accompanied by a decrease in initiative and will. A person becomes completely indifferent to what is happening. He aspires to nothing, is unable to withstand pressure, and nothing can motivate him.
Abulia is one of the components of the so-called psychological triad. It includes: akinesia (decreased activity), apathy (lack of motivation) and abulia itself, which, in a clear formulation, means indifference to what is happening. The combination of these three factors is often referred to as depression,which has varying degrees of severity and requires an individual approach. Most often this happens due to a lack of attention from the people around.
The main signs of the disease
Abulia has undergone many descriptions. This disorder became known in 1938, but there is still no clear picture of the disease. Among the clinical manifestations, the most basic are:
- speech retardation;
- spontaneous movements;
- complexity of performing the given movements;
- repressed emotionality;
- isolation;
- children lose interest in games;
- passivity and indifference.
The very first symptom of illness is indifference to oneself. A person does not wash, does not brush his teeth, completely neglects his appearance. A patient with aboulia thinks for a long time over the answer to the simplest questions, while he does not seem to control his own hands or jerks his head. Often, patients lose a lot of weight due to loss of appetite. The disease can be mild and progress very quickly to a deep state of depression.
It should be noted that the incentive to act is so reduced that even with deep mental suffering and thoughts of suicide, a person is not able to harm himself. He just has absolutely no energy for it.
How to spot aboulia?
Diagnosis of the disease is quite difficult. It may accompany other disorders such as:
- depression;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- diseaseParkinson's;
- paralysis.
For a clear picture of the disease, doctors need long-term monitoring of the patient. So, while eating, the doctor looks at how much the patient eats. But at the same time, the first days of observation will not give results. The patient may simply have no appetite. When it becomes clear that the patient is exhausted, but does not satisfy his own needs, the doctor can draw conclusions.
The use of CT and MRI will reveal which parts of the brain are damaged. This helps to significantly narrow the range of possible diseases and quickly arrive at the correct diagnosis, which is very important. If the diagnosis is wrong, then the treatment will be useless, and in some cases even harmful.
Weakness of will, laziness and abulia are completely different things in psychology. But the distinction between these conditions in children is quite difficult. Children do not want to follow all the orders of adults, they can ignore requests and questions. It is recommended to contact a specialist for help if the child begins to simulate. For example, he sits in front of an open book, as if reading it, while not turning the pages.
Causes of aboulia
The basis of the disease is brain damage. Doctors still do not adhere to one clear position, but distinguish:
- frontal injuries excluding brainstem and cerebellum;
- intracranial hemorrhage;
- frontal lobe damage;
- basal ganglia injury;
- stress;
- heredity;
- various psychological ailments.
For different reasons, aboulia is slightly different in progressive signs. For example, when the basal ganglia are affected, the patient is characterized by motor passivity, speech retardation, and tries to avoid communication. After a stroke, the patient does not seek to follow the simple doctor's prescriptions that are necessary for recovery. His motivation for recovery is low or completely absent.
With any damage to the brain, even the slightest, abulia can develop. This can also happen with a heart attack, then a sharp drop in motivation is noted. Detect a heart attack with an MRI.
Psychological ailments that can lead to illness include not only depression and various personality disorders. Awareness of one's own insignificance, loneliness and the like can lead to the development of the disease.
Types of violation of will
Abulia is an extreme state of breaking the will. When a person no longer wants to decide anything. Even things that used to be important to him become indifferent.
But you can prevent such a condition if you notice it at the initial stage, which is called hypobulia. At this stage, a person begins to change, and loved ones can notice this if they pay enough attention. First of all, appetite is lost, and the patient begins to fade away, painful facial features appear. Sexual desire falls, a person stops his usual activities. For example, reading enthusiasts give up their habit and just sit looking out the window.
How to deal with aboulia?
What is important to know? Abulia is a psychological illness, not a psychiatric one. It does not require sedative injections, imprisonment in a hospital, etc. Psychologists divide aboulia by age.
senile abulia develops in older people. The cure for it is love and care. Old people often feel like a burden, which gives rise to such a state. You should show a person that he is valued, loved and valued.
In middle age, abulia develops due to the monotonous course of life. The person lacks emotions. Disillusionment throughout one's life may also follow. Psychologists advise to broaden your horizons. Start a new business, find a hobby and passion.
As for children's abulia, its treatment should be carried out exclusively with the help of a specialist. Children's psyche is quite fragile, and any incontinence of parents, the wrong approach can lead to the development of even greater problems.
Mistakes leading to complication of the disease
The most important mistake of close people is the encouragement of such a disease as abulia. Types of excitation in the disease vary. Often, relatives themselves push the disease to development. They pity the patient, let him wallow in their indifference to life. To the point that the patient begins to enjoy his position as a victim.
Such actions are unacceptable. You should not feel sorry for the patient, but shake him well. No need to give the opportunity to hide and go into yourself. Keep the patient busy with whatever you want. The best thing to dosomething together so that a person feels close and at the same time is under observation. For example, cooking together, coloring pictures, various crafts when it comes to children.
Be attentive to yourself and your loved ones!
