Main causes of Apathy
There are 2 main ways that Apathy can manifest itself, and that is either through a mental health condition, or a physical medical condition. (APA, 2013 p. 682) (IDC-10 Code: F07)
I will list some mental health causes and physical causes below, but the main way of dealing with the apathy would depend on the cause.
Treatment for apathy
The way to treat apathy would be to treat the root cause, where possible, through psychotherapy, psychiatric help and/or other agency support.
I emphasised root cause because where the initial cause found may be substance abuse for example, the substance abuse can be attributed to a different cause (the root cause) which could be a parent-child relationship problem or trauma.
Where apathy persists after treatment
If apathy remains after successful treatment of the root cause(s), then the problem will most likely lie with motivation.
You could look at the question on here about Theories of Human Motivation for information, or just look at various motivational courses, exercises and activities such as these activities.
Breakdown of Main Causes of Apathy
Mental health causes
This is not a full list, but includes,
Separation Axiety Disorder
When separated from major attachment figures, children with separation anxiety disorder may exhibit social withdrawal, apathy, sadness, or difficulty concentrating on work or play.
(APA, 2013 p. 192)
Major Depressive Disorder
In major depressive disorder, the individual may avoid leaving
home because of apathy, loss of energy, low self-esteem, and anhedonia. (APA, 2013 p. 221)
Neurocognitive Disorders (NCDs) such as Delirium
Delirium is often associated with a disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle....The individual with delirium may exhibit emotional disturbances, such as anxiety, fear, depression, irritability, anger, euphoria, and apathy. (APA, 2013 p. 600)
Behavioral-Variant Major or Mild Frontotemporal NCD
present with varying degrees of apathy or disinhibition. They may lose interest in socialization, selfcare, and personal responsibilities, or display socially inappropriate behaviors. (APA, 2013 p. 615)
Physical Problems Causing Mental Health Problems
This is not a full list, but includes,
Inhalant Intoxication
This can create
Clinically significant problematic behavioral or psychological changes (e.g., belligerence, assaultiveness, apathy, impaired judgment) (APA, 2013 p. 538)
Opioid Intoxication
This can create
Clinically significant problematic behavioral or psychological changes (e.g., initial euphoria followed by apathy, dysphoria, psychomotor agitation or retardation, impaired judgment) that developed during, or shortly after, opioid use. (APA, 2013 p. 546)
Other toxic, metabolic, traumatic, neoplastic, or infectious disorders that impair brain function and cognition
Numerous neurological and other medical conditions may produce the clinically significant behavioral or psychological changes (e.g., belligerence, assaultiveness, apathy, impaired judgment) that also characterize inhalant intoxication. (APA, 2013 p. 540)
Major or Mild NCD due to Traumatic Brain Injury
may be accompanied by disturbances in emotional function
(e.g., irritability, easy frustration, tension and anxiety, affective lability); personality changes (e.g., disinhibition, apathy, suspiciousness, aggression); physical disturbances (e.g., headache, fatigue, sleep disorders, vertigo or dizziness, tinnitus or hyperacusis, photosensitivity, anosmia, reduced tolerance to psychotropic medications); and, particularly in more severe TBI, neurological symptoms and signs (e.g., seizures, hemiparesis, visual disturbances, cranial nerve deficits) and evidence of orthopedic injuries. (APA, 2013 p. 625)
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
