Reviewed By:
Charles Carlson, DO, MS (Psychiatry)
Dr. Carlson graduated from Touro University in Nevada with a degree in osteopathic medicine. He then trained as a resident in Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals where he was also a chief resident and completed a fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry. After training, he started practicing in | Addiction Psychiatry at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he also teaches Psychiatry residents.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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Motivation is decreasing
Reduced motivation
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About the Symptom
A decrease in motivation and willpower means having less control over one's ability to do something. It can be a symptom of depression or other psychiatric or medical illnesses.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Disorder of consciousness
Recent weight loss
Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month
Change in personality
Seizure attack
Difficulty breathing / breathlessness
Possible Causes
Generally, Lack of motivation can be related to:
Depression
Depression is a mental illness that leads to low mood, reduced energy levels, and changes in sleep. This affects everyday activities like attending school and work. As the condition worsens, patients might have suicidal thoughts. Although stress and past trauma can cause depression, it can take time to identify and address causes, and genetic factors may also be at play.
A disorder marked by extreme and persistent shifts in mood that last for weeks to months, from periods of sustained depression to periods of elevated mood and euphoria. The precise cause is unclear, but genetic and environmental factors contribute.
A psychotic disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking (cognition), emotional responsiveness, and behavior, with an age of onset typically between the late teens and mid-30s. Hearing voices and/or believing things that aren't consistent with reality are common symptoms. The exact cause is unknown, but a mix of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors are likely responsible.
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Lack of motivation may be related to these serious diseases:
Cerebral infarction refers to damage to brain tissue resulting from a stroke. It occurs due to decreased blood supply and oxygen delivery to the brain, causing brain cell death and brain damage. It is typically caused by a blood clot or fatty/cholesterol plaques blocking a blood vessel to the brain, but can also occur if a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Do you feel less motivated lately?
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Developed by doctors.
Find Similar Symptoms
Reviewed By:
Charles Carlson, DO, MS (Psychiatry)
Dr. Carlson graduated from Touro University in Nevada with a degree in osteopathic medicine. He then trained as a resident in Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals where he was also a chief resident and completed a fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry. After training, he started practicing in | Addiction Psychiatry at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he also teaches Psychiatry residents.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
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