Why Can’t I Get Motivated? ‘Avolition’ Explained

Do you find it hard to get motivated to do even the smallest-seeming tasks? Struggle to make plans? Express little to no interest in day-to-day activities, and/or stay in the house “doing nothing” as often as you can?

These, MedicalNewsToday explained, can be signs of “avolition”, a symptom that’s sometimes, but not always, associated with depression and bipolar disorder.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, clinical psychologist Dr Tracy King said that avolition is “often mislabelled as laziness or lack of motivation, but clinically it is very different”.

Here, she explained what the term means, its symptoms, and what to do if you suspect you might have it.

Researchers have referred to avolition as “an inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities”.

Dr King added that although avolition can sometimes be misread as “laziness”, that just is not medically accurate. “Laziness implies choice,” she explained.

“Avolition reflects a genuine difficulty initiating action due to neurological, psychological, or nervous system factors.

“It is commonly associated with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum conditions, trauma, and burnout, but it is also frequently seen in neurodivergent people, particularly those with ADHD or autism.”

Avolition is itself a symptom, but Dr King said it can manifest differently depending on its cause.

“In neurodivergence, avolition is often linked to executive function differences rather than low mood. The person may want to do the task, understand its importance, and still feel unable to start,” she said.

“This can be worsened by sensory overload, demand avoidance, chronic masking, or cumulative nervous system stress. Unlike everyday overwhelm, avolition involves a shutdown in initiation and reward processing, not simply having too much on your plate.”

She continued: “Common signs include difficulty starting even simple tasks, emotional flatness or disconnection, reduced response to reward, and intense shame or self-criticism.

“People are often told they just need to try harder, which can deepen distress and paralysis.”

“If someone suspects avolition, the first step is to remove self-blame and seek a proper assessment that considers mental health, trauma history, and neurodivergence,” Dr King said.

“Support focuses on treating any underlying condition, regulating the nervous system, adapting environments and expectations, and using small, low-demand steps rather than relying on motivation or willpower.”

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
• CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
• The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.