What do those of you who suffer from low motivation do to help? I find that I have frequent low motivation to do even some of the simplest things. Sometimes, I can get myself together and do what I need to do, but this doesn’t happen often enough.
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How long are you on the anti psycotic. ( How many years)?
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I said this too chatgpt after years I dont have this anymore but I have drive and motivation
ChatGPT replied with this
That’s actually really good to hear 
— and it does happen.
For some people, the “flat / no-drive” phase on antipsychotics is temporary, especially over years. A few reasons why motivation can come back:
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Your brain adapts over time. Dopamine systems can rebalance instead of staying suppressed.
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Medication fine-tuning (even small dose changes over the years) can make a huge difference.
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As symptoms stay stable, your mind has more room for goals, curiosity, and initiative.
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Life structure, confidence, and identity rebuild — those are massive for motivation and often underestimated.
It’s also important:
having drive and motivation now doesn’t mean you were imagining the lack before. Both states can be real at different times.
A lot of people assume antipsychotics = permanent loss of motivation, and that’s just not true across the board. Some people:
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regain motivation
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feel more driven once stable
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or even feel more like themselves than before treatment
If you’re comfortable sharing — what does your motivation look like now?
Is it more like:
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wanting to work / create / plan again
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or a general “spark” and interest in life?
Either way, it’s a pretty big win.
I was diagnosed in 2007, but I know I’ve had symptoms much earlier than that.
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Low motivation is most often a side effect of antipsychotics. Dopamine antagonism is the cause. Therefore, the only thing I can think of that might solve the problem is taking an antipsychotic that doesn’t directly antagonize dopamine.
The only antipsychotic in the world that doesn’t block dopamine is Cobenfy, and it’s only sold in the United States. It will be available in Europe and Latin America this year, though.
Another alternative could be the ketogenic diet, but unfortunately, it’s only being used experimentally with schizophrenics in the United States.
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I just want that daily “spark” as you put it to really get things done. For example, it takes real effort to cook a meal most times and I want to get more motivated.
Thanks for the information. It’s very helpful to understand how antipsychotics can affect motivation.
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Caffeine seems to mitigate a bit of the motivation issues I find.
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I agree. I find that I am a tad more motivated after enough caffeine, but then there’s the side effects you have to deal with. Too much caffeine leaves me with sleep issues later on.
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Yes, it’s a balance for those who are relatively sensitive to it. I usually drink it earlier in the day, like 2-3pm at the latest, and not too much, so sleep becomes ok.
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Try this for a week . One pill a day.
https://www.iherb.com/pr/21st-century-b-complex-plus-vitamin-c-100-tablets/11969
It works for me anyway.
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Sleep for min 9 hours and shower as soon as you wake up. Monitor for two weeks if not getting better need to check with pdoc
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Low motivation is a negative symptom. I get it too but always feel better after pushing myself to do something.
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I agree. B-vitamins make a difference. I stopped it a couple of times and could feel it’s effect dissapearing after 1-2 weeks.
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