understanding apathy
- lxrynwxtring
- Nov 25, 2022
- 2 min read
11/25/22
hello cherubs! today we are going to be learning about apathy.
apathy can be described as "lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern." and some terms commonly used as apathy are: indifference, unconcern, torpor (also known as lethargy), or listlessness.
sometimes apathetic feelings can be something we can change or turn around, but other times it can be apart of something bigger caused by trauma, grief, or an underlying mental health condition.
apathy can appear in many ways, but here are some common signs:
low or no reaction to emotions
neglecting responsibilities
neglecting needs
difficulty starting or finishing daily tasks
not engaging with others
lack of motivation
lack of interest
feeling fatigued
now you might be thinking, this looks and sounds a lot like depression. what's the difference? well, I am here to tell you!
apathy is the lack of interest, while depression is a psychological condition
apathy can be found as a symptom of many other disease while depression is a diagnosis itself
an apathetic person does not have suicidal thoughts, but depressed people normally do
an apathetic person does not feel guilt, but depression comes with guilt
what causes a person to have apathy?
poor self esteem: you may feel like your life doesn't matter. this can be a sign of suicidal thoughts or behavior, in which you should let other know about so that they can be aware if symptoms progress
a traumatic event: can lead you to being lost, sad, or scared. if you don't properly deal with your trauma, it can lead to apathetic and disconnectedness from daily life
trouble adjusting to new circumstances: any change in life can cause feelings of apathy through not being able to adjust
feeling overwhelmed or burnt out: feeling like our hard work isn't acknowledged and not taking time for self-care. feeling these emotions can cause us to be unfulfilled
feeling stuck: feeling like you are in a rut, apathy can quickly take over
the best way to address your apathetic feelings are to identify your triggers. ask yourself these questions:
do I view or talk about myself negatively?
do I feel apathetic in all situations or just some?
do I feel like I am stuck in a rut?
do I feel as if my apathy has affected my daily life?
when you address your triggers, you can reduce your feelings of apathy. if you can't change whatever it is that is triggering you, you can find healthy ways to cope with the situation or event. another way to help apathy is to change your goals or create new ones. sometimes changing your point of view can show you good and healthy things that you might not have seen otherwise.
if your apathy leads to suicidal thoughts or actions, please reach out to a trusted person and get the help that you need. contact your primary care doctor, reach out to a friend or family member, or incase of emergency, call 911.
I hope y'all like this one! please share with someone you think you gain something from it!
remember, you deserve to be here(:
xx Loryn
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