What Is Avolition?

It is one of thenegative symptomsof schizophrenia.

While alack of motivationis not an inherent sign of a mental disorder, it is often symptomatic ofclinical depression.

Man relaxing on sofa holding remote controls

Adrian Nakic/Getty Images

Avolition should not be mistaken forprocrastination, wherein a person actively seeks distractions to delay a task.

People with avolition will more likely not.

Avolition as a Negative Symptom

Avolition is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia.

such as hallucinations,paranoia, disorganization, anddelusions.

With illnesses like schizophrenia, a primary goal of treatment is to either eliminate or reduce the positive symptoms.

This is because, unlike negative symptoms, positive symptoms are inherently more dramatic and easy to define.

At present, there are no drugs able to treat these deficits.

However, the very nature of the disorder makes them less likely to seek or adhere to treatment.

Medications used to treat avolition may includeatypical antipsychotics, such as Zyprexa (olanzapine) andRisperdal(risperidone).