Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects less than 1% of the population. It is characterised by episodes of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking. It also includes negative symptoms like lack of motivation and cognitive symptoms such as memory issues (Massachusetts General Hospital) (NIMH).
Brain scans of people with schizophrenia show a different pattern of neural activity in the default mode network, which is responsible for our sense of self and introspection.
This altered pattern can lead to the break from reality that's characteristic of the disorder.
It's also fascinating that the brains of people with schizophrenia have a harder time distinguishing between internal and external stimuli, which can lead to hallucinations and delusions. This is because the brain's "salience network" - which helps filter out irrelevant sensory information - is overactive in people with schizophrenia, making it harder for them to separate signal from noise.
Research has also shown that people with schizophrenia often have changes in the structure and function of the hippocampus, a key region involved in forming and storing memories.This can lead to problems with memory and learning, as well as disorganised thinking.
Some people with schizophrenia often have a higher rate of irregularities in their brain's dopamine system, which can affect motivation, pleasure, and reward processing. This can lead to problems with initiating and maintaining activities, as well as experiencing pleasure and enjoyment.
Brain waves are also affected in schizophrenia, with research suggesting that people with the disorder tend to have abnormal patterns of alpha and beta waves, which are involved in attention and cognitive processing. This can lead to problems with attention, concentration, and information processing.
People suffering from schizophrenia often have an overactive "fight or flight" response, which can lead to problems with anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation. This is because the brain's stress response system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, is overactive in people with the disorder.
Research has also shown that people with schizophrenia tend to have lower levels of neurotrophic factors, which are proteins that promote the growth and survival of brain cells. This can lead to problems with neural plasticity and adaptation.
Why do people with schizophrenia experience lack of motivation?
The lack of motivation in schizophrenia is linked to disruptions in the brain's reward and pleasure systems, particularly involving neurotransmitters like dopamine. This leads to difficulties in experiencing pleasure (anhedonia) and initiating actions, contributing to the overall reduced drive and apathy seen in individuals with the disorder (Oxford University Press - Academic)
What is the difference between avolition and apathy?
Avolition refers specifically to the lack of motivation to perform purposeful activities, whereas apathy is a broader term indicating a general lack of interest or enthusiasm. People with avolition have the desire to act but are unable to muster the mental or physical energy to do so, whereas those with apathy might not feel any inclination to act at all.
Can people with schizophrenia improve their motivation?
Improvement is possible, but it requires comprehensive treatment that includes psychosocial interventions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help individuals develop strategies to cope with and overcome motivational deficits. Encouraging engagement in structured activities and setting small, achievable goals can also support improvements in motivation (Oxford University Press - Academic)
댓글