Thoughts on apathy

[Jack_Uzi]

I would reply, but I just can't be bothered.

Thanks for your contribution to all this. Mutch appreciated!! Really, a 10 for efford and a +1 for your post count! Yeah!!!

It was a poor effort at an apathy joke. Sorry.

It's okay, man. I'm sorry a bit too for that flame here. But having been in such a state gives me a strong bias here. So, no worrys, I shouldn't take things too seriously too, but at some points I do. Everyone is entitled to value things or joke about it to take the weight of

 

[KindOfnElf]

No problem. I was thinking about that state of mind again and, if I may, would like to give you some advice that worked for me:

- Don't pinpoint/judge yourself for the state you are currently in. It doesn't help you and only enduces the state you are in. You feel, or rather say, don't feel, that way for a reason.
(You have explaind why already).
- Talk to people you can trust about it if you can. It really helps. I tried but only got a one-way street of problems they had to listen to myself :S.
- States of being are more or less temporary, some take longer than others, but sooner or later you will find your way out, keep that in mind (sometimes I'm positive too! ;P) But don't force yourself in doing so.

Hope it helps you a bit.

Specialists and "survivors" on this state agree on one thing: it's a state that should be "waited out". As you said time will heal the scars; body will fight through it by itself and eventually will turn on emotions again.
And I also don't feel like talking to friends about it, since most people find it hard to even imagine this state, and the ones that do are supportive, caring, but yeah it's a one-way street, and feeling guilty about being a burden to friends is not helping right now.

And thanks again. You are being very helpful. And I must say I am sorry that you had to go through the same thing.

 

[guntotingtomcat]

Emotions are by definition selfish. Perhaps a lack of them could help consider the well being of both yourself and others.
It's the lack of caring that's debilitating.

 

[KindOfnElf]

I thought the self-defence emotional shutdown was catatonia rather than apathy? Apathy, for me, has always just been a rather foggy, demotivated state of mild misery rather than full on blankness. I'm in this state most of the time really, as I've been rather directionless for a few years now and my uncertain prospects are getting to me. I like to think once I've become a self-supporting person with a developed working attitude it'll pass, I'll find out in the future I guess. Haven't seen a specialist about it, or discussed it much as I've always felt I can deal with it alone for some reason.

Apathy and depression are often replaced. But in apathy, you don't feel misery. You don't feel at all, you are just too "heavy" (and by that I mean as in state of body) to be emotional of any kind.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I hope you find your way through.

 

[Cheesebob]

Has the 'meh' joke already happened?

Awwww man...I'm gonna go off and do...nothing...

Apathy is the easiest emotion ever and requires the least amount of brain power

 

[rabidmidget]

I'm indifferent towards apathy.

 

[ShadowKatt]

I pretty much live that way, but its not a defense for anything, at least not in my case, it's a choice. I found it's easiest to keep a clear and calm head if you keep your emotional level low, and reason an issue out. I also don't get mad either, so when people are flaming furious, I kinda snicker at them and it's all kinds of fun.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

I wanted to share a few thoughts on apathy too, but I really don't care enough.

 

[KindOfnElf]

Have you consulted anyone about this? Cause it's very important to have support, and to find some sort of inspiration to get out of depression.

*Thinking*

Nine. Over the past 6 years I've gone to see nine different doctors, therapists, psychologists, shrinks, what ever you call them. They have not helped what so ever. If they were trying to make me feel rage and contempt, boy did it work.
Here's how it went:

*Standard array of dumb questions that could easily have been avoided if I just had a piece of paper with all my answers on it*
And then:
"Any thoughts of hurting yourself"
"Fuck no"
"Have some medication. NEXT!"

Every single appointment can be summed right down to that for six god damned years. I'm sure there are some that are actually good at their jobs, but I sure as hell didn't meet one. There isn't anybody I can talk to. My mother is a whiney crybaby who'd most likely kill herself if I even tried talking to her (Not kidding) and I avoid her daily, my brothers are just as apathetic as I am, my friends have no clue whatsoever, and professional don't help at all. I'm on my own, and I accept that.

I won't be quick to judge, but I'd like to share this with you. I have a friend, and we are friends for a long time now. What you say you are experiencing, reminds me greatly of his state when we were 17 years old. He was greatly depressed and anxious for years, that lead to an almost complete indifference, not a bit of interest for anything, and everything that he did was only because parents pressured him. He found it really helpful to discuss his feelings, "opening up" completely to someone he trusted. Finding a friend that is good listener I think it will greatly help you for a start. And you don't have to be on your own in this. Being on your own is brave, and I respect that, but the income of friendly love sometimes can heal more than anything.

 

[DSK-]

Oh, so is that it? I've been meaning to go through my lexicon and fix all the little mistakes...
Yeah, I get this all the time, but it has hit me hard over the last few days. Not as bad as it used to hit me, though, but after so long without being hit that hard...

/me huggles

OT: I am still affected by this every now and again - severely or mildly. I'm not out of the woods yet in terms of my depression but I am certainly a lot better than I was a few years ago. If I could get some decent sleep I'd be a lot better off.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Yes, I'm like that as well, since...well, I'm 21, and I can't remember when I got this way. Anyway, I have a hard time giving a shit about anything, to use the colloquial term, especially about people. Random strangers seem to confuse it with shyness, but I really don't care enough to carry on a conversation. Guess there shall be problems down the road, but I have learned to find some things, science, literature, gaming, to be stimulating enough to exhibit some sort of emotional response. What a well adjusted and productive member of society I am...

 

[Dahni]

I wish I could be apathetic more often. I've got too much to worry about, between school, friends, family and trying to find a job. One day where I could sit and just not care about anything would be lovely.

 

[Mr Thin]

Oh, I hate seeing something like this.

For every one person who has actually experienced apathy, there will be a dozen other moody/sulky/angsty people who think that being mellow or relaxed or not actively emotional is apathy.

Just... unless you've been diagnosed with apathy by a medical professional, you're probably just lazy, with nothing exciting in your life right now.

Also, that first post was awesome, shame about the probation.

 

[Vrach]

I don't think the guy who reported it quite got the humour.

Insensitive humour on the side (though I support it as I hate censoring humour just cause it may offend someone, except in the really, really extreme cases, and yes, I found the post funny myself), he added nothing to the discussion, which is kinda against the rules of these boards :|

Anyway, I don't know if I'd describe it as complete apathy, but I sometimes control myself into such a situation if I'm feeling sad or angry, I find it a good way to avoid saying/doing stupid things and/or fueling my own rage. I like that chart (where's it from btw?), I'd say what I'm doing borders somewhere on the lines of Control and Flow, but I might just be flattering myself there

 

[Harkonnen64]

I don't really care about apathy...

 

[Marter]

There was a time in my life where I suppressed almost all emotions that I could. That actually worked quite well, as I didn't get lectured for being emotional.

Lately it's been too hard for me to do that. I can't manage to keep any emotions inside of me. I wish I could go back to how I did it earlier.

 

[Doclector]

I seem to have kind of chosen a partial apathy myself. I have gotten into the habit of "not allowing" myself to feel weak emotions, such as sadness and loneliness. Any time I do, I make a point of angrily adressing myself. This may, or may not be, psychologically healthy in the long run, but hell, I know under the current NHS, getting a decent amount of time with a shrink is highly improbable, and what can I say, it seems to work most of the time.

P.S: I should add that I at no point think I am experiencing the actual condition of "apathy", only that I have experienced something slightly similiar.

 

[KindOfnElf]

I seem to have kind of chosen a partial apathy myself. I have gotten into the habit of "not allowing" myself to feel weak emotions, such as sadness and loneliness. Any time I do, I make a point of angrily adressing myself. This may, or may not be, psychologically healthy in the long run, but hell, I know under the current NHS, getting a decent amount of time with a shrink is highly improbable, and what can I say, it seems to work most of the time.

P.S: I should add that I at no point think I am experiencing the actual condition of "apathy", only that I have experienced something slightly similiar.

Yes, understood. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Thyunda]

I don't think the guy who reported it quite got the humour.

Insensitive humour on the side (though I support it as I hate censoring humour just cause it may offend someone, except in the really, really extreme cases, and yes, I found the post funny myself), he added nothing to the discussion, which is kinda against the rules of these boards :|

Anyway, I don't know if I'd describe it as complete apathy, but I sometimes control myself into such a situation if I'm feeling sad or angry, I find it a good way to avoid saying/doing stupid things and/or fueling my own rage. I like that chart (where's it from btw?), I'd say what I'm doing borders somewhere on the lines of Control and Flow, but I might just be flattering myself there

It's probably not wise to argue with you, since you're presumeably a mod. However, I will say this.
Censor him if you want, it doesn't bother me anyway.

 

[DarkJester]

Apathy is hard. Hard on you, hard on your family and friends, hard on everyone who cares for you.
The only way I ever got out of my depression was through sheer force of will. I didn't want to do anything, I care for anyone, I didn't care about myself. When a friend came to me with a problem, I literally could not find it within myself to sympathize, empathize, nothing!
Eventually though, my health suffered greatly and I had to actually force myself to enjoy life again. In small ways at first, but eventually the emotional stoppage broke and I began to feel once more.
It's tortuous, difficult, and soul-shattering... but it can be beaten. Just surround yourself with caring people and a positive environment.
And it may seem like the "Easy-Road to Ruin" but anti-depressants do help. Talk to a doctor and find one that doesn't adversely effect your sleeping or attentive habits. There are many out there that simply boost the natural chemical balance of your body without introducing foreign substances that could cause dependence.