Apathy and Chronic Illness
Do you ever know what you need to do for your own self care and life but for some reason you just can’t get started?
I definitely do.
Like, I know I need to go for a walk after sitting for hours at a computer. I know I will feel better after said walk, but I just can’t get moving.
Or it happens with chores, like switching laundry. Before I know it my laundry has been sitting in the washer all day while I sat on the couch.
It’s easy to get into a shame spiral around it. ‘Why am I so lazy?’ ‘Why can’t I get moving, you are such a loser.’
But that’s not helpful. AT ALL.
You know I am all about putting the power back into your own hands. In order to do that, it’s helpful to have an understanding about what may be causing the inability to get started and what you can do about it.
On that note - let’s explore apathy.
WTF is Apathy
In the most recent issue of Momentum, a magazine from the National MS Society, they touched on apathy, stating that it’s ‘a lack of interest, enthusiasm or motivation that affects people with certain neurological conditions.’
Obviously there are many possible causes aside from neurological conditions, like depression, fatigue and more - and talking to your healthcare team to find the cause is a great first step.
While there are definitely times where I (and I am assuming you since you are human) struggle with motivation for a variety of reasons, this is different.
In the case of apathy and neurological conditions, it is NOT a lack of desire or effort, it is reduced volume in the area of the brain that prompts someone to take action.
In short, there is no internal trigger to tell you to get tf up and moving, even if you want to.
Talk about frustrating and a mind fuck! Not only that, apathy can lead to further isolation and we all know chronic illness is lonely enough.
There’s usually good news though, and that is the case here too!
Tips to Carry on with Apathy in Tow
There are plenty of things you can do to make it easier to get started on a task and address apathy in general.
Set alarms on your phone when you need to start a task. Bonus points for placing your phone wherever the task is that needs to get done. That way you have to get up to turn the alarm off which means you are already where you need to be to get started on that elusive task.
If a task is too overwhelming, break it into very tiny steps that are more action oriented and doable. Say I need to go to the grocery, first, I tell myself to just get my phone/keys/wallet. Once that is done, I tell myself to do the next step of getting in my car. Then I keep repeating until I am at the store. Annoying? Maybe. Useful? Hell yes.
Ask friends or family to prompt you to do something. For example, last weekend I needed to do dishes, but was struggling with getting up. I told my husband to ask me to go into the kitchen. He did and I did. Standing in front of the sink filled with dishes was all I needed to get a jump on them.
Talking to your healthcare team and possibly seeing an occupational therapist is always a great idea.
Spice it up! Sometimes a change in scenery or trying something new can reinvigorate you.
Channel energy from times in the past where you have taken action and been rewarded. Remember a few days ago when you did that workout and then was on cloud nine for the rest of the day? Cool, relive that moment and use it to your advantage today.
Like all things chronic illness, there is usually a way around the road blocks that make living difficult, you just need to accept it, get creative and adapt.
