Recovering from apathy and depression

Apathy can be a distressing experience, especially if you’re usually motivated. It can look like a struggle to muster interest for activities you used to enjoy or diminished emotional expression. Understandably, your loved ones may confuse your apathy with depression. It can be easy to mix them up, as they can appear similarly.

While apathy and depression are different, apathy is a common feature of depression. Apathy can also signal other health conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease or stroke. Even though neither are mental health conditions, they can have negative impacts on mental health. 

It can be disheartening to lose passion for things and people you used to love, let alone being depressed. But there’s hope. A mental health professional can help you manage your symptoms, understand the root cause of your feelings, and lead a more satisfying life. 

Depression vs. apathy

Apathy isn’t a mental health condition, but it can be a symptom of one. It often shows up alongside depression. Unlike apathy, depression is a diagnosable mental health condition. Research suggests it’s common for people who are depressed later in life to also experience apathy. 

However, other mental health disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may be the reason you’re feeling numb or experiencing less interest in life. Experiences like trauma or grief can also spur apathy.  

It’s important to distinguish between apathy and depression, which can help you get the right support for your circumstances and needs. Explore how apathy and depression overlap and differ below:

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Signs of apathy

These are the most common signs of apathy.

• Lack of motivation: One of the telltale signs of apathy is the absence of motivation. For example, you might know that preparing for a work presentation could help you gain a promotion, but the drive isn’t there. 
• Loss of interest: The activities and relationships you used to deeply care about might not feel as important. With apathy, it can be difficult to care, even if those things used to bring you joy. 
• Low or zero reactions to emotions: People who feel apathy have trouble feeling and expressing their emotions. They might not react to exciting milestones like graduating from school or a birth in the family.
• Neglect of basic needs: Apathy can drain your motivation to get things done — even meeting your basic needs like eating, sleeping regularly, engaging in self-care or hygiene practices, and exercising.
• Exhaustion: Daily activities might leave you feeling drained. Because of this low energy and exhaustion, you might sleep more than usual.  

Signs of depression

A variety of symptoms can indicate depression.

• Mood fluctuations: Depression can make you feel empty, anxious, or sad. 
• Lack of energy: With depression, you may not have the energy to get out of bed, or feel continually exhausted no matter how much you rest. 
• Loss of interest: Like with apathy, depression may be characterized by a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. 
• Cognitive difficulties: You may have trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
• Suicidal thoughts: Depression can also be associated with suicidal thoughts, intentions, or attempts.*

*A note on safety: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support with trained crisis counselors. If you or a loved one is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.

How depression and apathy are linked

With depression, you might find it challenging to get out of bed, accomplish daily tasks, or engage in activities you once enjoyed. That’s because depression can zap your energy, leading to apathetic behaviors. Apathy and depression can reinforce each other, with apathy making it hard to find motivation and depression heightening feelings of hopelessness. 

Depression can also negatively impact your social life. You may withdraw from important relationships. It can also make you feel less empathetic toward people, including loved ones. 

Further, in one study examining older people with depression, 38% experienced clinically significant apathy. Apathy may be particularly present with cognitive decline in dementia. 

You might have heard of the term anhedonia. While related, anhedonia and apathy aren’t the same. Anhedonia is the experience of losing joy or pleasure in activities that you once enjoyed. Because of this loss of pleasure, you avoid the activities. It’s a core feature of depression.  

With apathy, on the other hand, you don’t feel motivated to pursue activities you once enjoyed. People with apathy may still have some capacity to experience pleasure, but lack the drive to pursue it. 

Overcoming feelings of apathy in depression

Working with a therapist can improve your outlook on life and help you recover from apathy and depression. Mental health treatment can be a powerful tool to discover why you’re experiencing apathy and depression and how to address both. 

While it’s true there aren’t established clinical guidelines to treat apathy, some treatments exist for apathy and depression, including:

• Reminiscence therapy: Reminiscence therapy involves recalling past events, feelings, and thoughts that are pleasurable. This can help reduce sad feelings or low mood that can occur with depression. This kind of therapy significantly lessens depressive feelings in older adults and older adults with dementia who experience both depression and apathy. 
• Art therapy: Art therapy can help people express their emotions and trauma into art, instead of using speaking or writing. It can help bring out your emotions, which apathy often mutes, and bring you joy. Art therapy is used successfully for people with depressive disorders and significantly reduces apathy in people with Alzheimer’s disease. 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT can help you question thoughts that may be contributing to apathy, like, “I’ll never feel motivated again.” This type of treatment can also help you better understand your motivation and goals. 

There are some lifestyle changes a therapist may recommend, too. You can try to tackle your low mood through establishing a consistent routine to support motivation, practicing self-care, and talking about your feelings with someone you trust. But know there’s no shame in seeking professional support if your apathy or depression isn’t improving with self-help. 

Sometimes, a licensed mental healthcare provider will prescribe medication to manage the symptoms of depression, including apathy. There isn’t an approved medication for apathy alone. When considering medication, always consult your doctor.

Find care with Rula

Apathy and depression can make it difficult to live your life the way you’d like. A lack of motivation and interest can take away your drive and joy. A mental health professional can pinpoint what’s behind your apathy or depression and help you access treatment. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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