How to deal with avolition and anhedonia?

DX'd - Sz/SzA
1

How do you guys deal with lack of motivation?

3 Likes
2

I don’t do much that’s about how I deal with it. Seems like all I’m good at lately is eating.

5 Likes
3

I just want to do something but everything feels like a chore

4 Likes
4

I journal every day and have done this for years. That way I leave cookie crumbs behind as my mind wanders from thing to thing endlessly. Sometimes it helps me make better decisions. Like stop living on a boat in the freezing cold just because I love the water and buying a cheap but nice little bungalow for $47000 with a less than $500 monthly mortgage. Something I had to do since I’m pretty old for a schizophrenic (68). Anyways I’m a big believer in journaling for schizophrenics as a way to deal with negative symptoms.

6 Likes
5

I take amisulpride for my negatives. Seems to help because if I reduce the dose my avolition and apathy get worse

1 Like
6

Focus on hobbies. The more, the better. It took me years to improve from severe negatives. During that time I couldn’t work, but I solved jigsaw puzzles, I watched an insane amount of movies and cartoons, played some video games and ate whatever I wanted, and pushed myself to go out.

I still find it hard to work part time. But it’s manageable now. And many things that used to seem impossible to do are now doable, like showering more often or reading books.

Take it easy, set small goals and don’t be afraid of setbacks, because there will be loads of those too.

4 Likes
7

I dont really know tbh. But I wish I did.

Took me an hour just now to psyche myself up to go to the shops.

My counsellor was telling me to think about how much better Id feel after achieving the goal. She also said that part of feeling like I cant do stuff is because Im not used to doing stuff in succession - and that I need to build up my energy capacity by pushing through.
Very difficult to do though.

I also find it hard to tell the difference between low energy and low motivation.

1 Like
8

I have kept a diary over the years but nothing consistent for many years. I feel it’s indispensable; I wouldn’t be alive without it. I’m recently listening to Silvia Plath on audio from the library and I’m thinking about writing more. Currently I mostly write every few weeks a cousin who prefers snail mail.

1 Like
9

I have become a slave to life. I don’t push myself it pushes me. Or else

1 Like
10

Issue is for me even video games, playing music, going for walks (leisure activites) or cooking and cleaning often require motivation I dont have.

I get frustrated when proffesionals and family dont understand that doing things I enjoy isnt always possible with my mental health issues. Even if I do have all the time in the world, I cant spend it how I want.

3 Likes
11

Sounds like the activity you are prescribing for yourself is the right one for me. Thank you.

1 Like
12

I don’t commit to much. Makes life easier.

2 Likes
13

Small 5- to 10- minute tasks seem to help me a lot. I can clean or tidy or write for that long without getting too tense.

I also sometimes have to build up momentum in the morning by doing small more pleasant accomplishments like feeding my cat, playing with him.

I build motivation for bigger projects like a shopping trip or a dr visit by writing details in a tree outline. There are apps like Google Tasks or Tree Tasks to help you break projects into tasks. It is very satisfying for me to check items off a list since i dont have a very good short term memory.

4 Likes
14

@hadeda what is the dose that you take of amisulpride, that is effective for the negative symptoms?

15

I take 500mg @Lolita

1 Like
16

I read that the lower doses have a stronger effect on negative symptoms but it seems you have good results on higher doses too

2 Likes
17

I’ve heard that too but if I take a dose lower than 400mg I get strong negative symptoms similar to depression, with terrible avolition and apathy

The higher dose is for my positive symptoms as well, like voices

1 Like
18

I have no idea about this at all, I did not read any research at all, so no clue. But someone said biofeedback helps with avolition. Does anyone have experience with this? Or research, knowledge, anything?

19

Neurofeedback is a budding field of research.

Early results look promising but I really don’t know if it is “one size fits all”, or if there are limitations.

1 Like
20

This topic was automatically closed 95 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.