Avolition is an intense, ongoing loss of motivation that can make daily functioning difficult. It’s typically associated with serious mental health concerns, like schizophrenia or depression.
Avolition isn’t just a temporary decline in energy or willpower. It’s a debilitating experience that can prevent a person from doing the most basic tasks (like maintaining hygiene, going to work or school, preparing meals, etc.).
People experiencing avolition can improve their motivation with the right support. This will typically include therapy, medication, and self-management strategies.
Our motivation and energy levels can fluctuate for various reasons. We all have days when we’d rather take a nap than tackle our to-do lists. But avolition is different. Avolition is a clinical term that refers to a severe and ongoing lack of motivation to start or complete purposeful activities. This includes basic activities like showering, eating, or going to work.
This isn’t the same as procrastination or occasionally feeling tired. Avolition can be a sign of a mental health condition like schizophrenia or depression. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a deep loss of drive that’s making it hard to function in day-to-day life, know that help is available. Understanding what avolition is — and isn’t — can be an important step toward getting the right kind of support.
What avolition feels like
Avolition goes beyond feeling lazy or unmotivated. It’s a persistent inability to start or follow through with everyday tasks, even ones that used to feel meaningful or necessary. This loss of drive affects basic self-care, responsibilities, and social connections.
People with avolition may:
Neglect hygiene and grooming for days or weeks
Skip meals despite feeling hungry
Miss appointments even when transportation is available
Stop showing up to work, school, or volunteer programs
Withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or family time
Spend long hours in bed or on the couch
Avoid returning calls, texts, or emails
Leave bills unpaid or avoid maintaining their home
It’s important to know that avolition isn’t the same as being tired or lacking resources. Skipping a hobby because of cost, or missing a call because someone is hard to reach, is different. Avolition shows up even when access isn’t a barrier — and even when someone is well-rested. The motivation to act just isn’t there, no matter the circumstances.
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What causes avolition?
We don’t know exactly what causes avolition. But there’s some evidence to suggest that it may be tied to differences in brain activity. Specifically, there’s a part of the brain that helps us plan and carry out actions, which includes motivating us to do things. Experts believe that, when this part of the brain isn’t working properly, it might contribute to the severe loss of motivation seen in various mental health conditions.
Avolition’s link to mental health conditions
Sometimes, avolition can be difficult to detect because it’s largely an internal experience. However, providers can identify avolition by paying attention to how it might be showing up in a person’s life. For example, if a person is unable to maintain a hygiene routine, attend school, or get out of bed, they could be experiencing avolition due to the following conditions:
Schizophrenia is the condition most frequently associated with avolition. It’s known to reduce motivation and self-initiated behavior.
Depression is a mood disorder that can involve fatigue, a sense of hopelessness or worthlessness, a loss of interest in formerly enjoyed activities, and an inability to feel pleasure.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause problems with motivation, procrastination, and focus. These symptoms can make it more difficult to initiate and complete tasks.
Bipolar disorder creates severe mood fluctuations. During depressive episodes, a person may experience symptoms of depression, like low motivation and a loss of drive.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can lead to social and communication challenges, sensory overload, and issues with executive functioning. These symptoms can make it harder to engage with others, complete tasks, and maintain a self-care routine.
Steps to overcoming avolition and regaining motivation
People experiencing avolition typically need professional help to manage their mental health. So, if you or someone you care about is having trouble functioning due to a significant loss of motivation, don’t hesitate to ask for help. A therapist or psychiatrist can provide a thorough evaluation of your avolition and other symptoms to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis.
Your path to feeling better will depend on your unique needs and the underlying cause of your avolition. But, in most cases, a combination of the following can support progress and help you gradually regain motivation:
Therapy: By exploring the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behavior, approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people address the defeatist thoughts and negative expectations that might be contributing to low motivation.
Medication: For some people, medication can be an important part of overcoming avolition and managing other symptoms. You can talk to your provider about the pros and cons of adding medication to your treatment plan.
Self-management: While not a replacement for treatment, simple daily structure can support recovery. Try creating a schedule that includes both essential tasks (like showering or making a meal) and small moments of connection or pleasure (like texting a friend or listening to music). Start small, and give yourself credit for each step.
With time, support, and practice, many people find that their motivation returns. Over time it can gradually increase steadily enough to rebuild confidence and momentum.
Avolition can lead to feelings of frustration, guilt, and helplessness because it makes it difficult to accomplish even simple tasks. It's important to understand that this struggle is not a personal failure. With support, there’s hope for improving motivation and coping with these challenges.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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Everyone has low energy days once in a while. But when a person feels unable to complete basic life tasks, it might be cause for concern. Avolition is a clinically significant loss of motivation that can accompany serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia. Fortunately, avolition doesn’t have to be permanent. By treating the underlying condition that’s causing your avolition, you can increase your motivation and ability to function in daily life.
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.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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