Burnout and Apathy

A decrease in the emotional background, loss of interest in the usual activities, a feeling that ‘everything has devalued’ is a frequent, but not always recognizable signal of internal disorders in the emotional and volitional sphere.

Sometimes this manifests itself as apathy — when a person ceases to feel a lively response to events, moves away from loved ones, does not find the strength even for what used to bring pleasure.

Sometimes-like an emotional swing: swings from irritation and anxiety to complete emptiness.

Such conditions may not have a clear cause — which is why they are often perceived as ‘incomprehensible’, ‘inexplicable’, and cause additional feelings of guilt or confusion..

Similar conditions can be associated with:

• chronic stress or overwork
• internal conflicts (the gap between desires and responsibilities)
• emotional or physical strain
• post-traumatic reactions
• latent depressive processes

Possible manifestations

Physical properties:

• general lethargy, reduced energy
• sleep disorders (both insomnia and hypersomnia)
• change in appetite
• decreased libido
• feeling of heaviness in the body, slowness

Emotional ones:

• feeling of emptiness, detachment
• irritability, tearfulness
• reduced motivation
• the feeling of ‘not being yourself’
• inability to experience joy

Behavioral issues:

• reduced activity, avoiding everyday activities
• refusal to communicate, withdrawal into isolation
• difficulties in making decisions
• procrastination
• cycles ‘surge of activity-rollback-fault — new breakthrough’

How to work with it

In therapy, we:

• we diagnose the condition, identify the dynamics, duration, and severity of symptoms
• reconnect with your feelings, needs, and inner self
• we investigate the mechanisms that block spontaneity, movement, and initiative
• we form a stable support, return the ability to act, choose, and engage in life

I always remain clinically alert:

if necessary, in case of suspicion of depressive or other conditions that require medical support, I can recommend contacting a doctor (psychiatrist, neuropsychiatrist, endocrinologist, etc.) for additional diagnosis and selection of therapy. This is part of a responsible approach to your well-being and safety.