Listlessness describes a persistent state of lack of energy, the cause of which can be various disorders or medical conditions. Because of the variety of causes, a thorough medical history and individualized treatment are required. Mild forms of listlessness can be prevented and may be cured without medical assistance, while more severe cases require medical attention.
What is listlessness?
Listlessness represents a short-term or long-term condition characterized by a general lack of energy. Listlessness represents a condition lasting for a short or longer period of time that is characterized by a general lack of energy. A person suffering from listlessness often has an increased need for sleep. He or she is still unable to motivate himself or herself to perform everyday tasks. The environment perceives the behavior of a listless person as lacking initiative and lethargic. The affected person strives to complete daily tasks. However, he/she cannot bring himself/herself to carry them out. Listlessness sometimes announces itself by a milder form, the so-called lack of drive. The opposite of listlessness is drive excess. It is not a disease, but a symptom of listlessness. It may be rooted in various physical or psychological disorders. Therefore, treatment includes locating the underlying disorder and eliminating it.
Causes
Causes of listlessness are varied and range from short-term states of exhaustion to severe medical conditions. Causes of short-term listlessness can be an incipient infection, temporary stress as well as lack of exercise. Since listlessness usually leads to an increased need for sleep, one of the causes may be sleep deprivation. This often occurs in connection with high demands in everyday life and can develop into the so-called burnout syndrome. Malnutrition can cause the body to lack important substances for energy conversion. For example, a permanent lack of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid or iodine can lead to listlessness. Other possible causes can be depression, schizophrenia or stupor. The latter is a state of rigidity with full consciousness. Stupor can occur as a result of severe depression or schizophrenia. Addictive disorders can cause listlessness, as can the side effects of some medications. Diseases affecting the brain are also possible causes of listlessness. These include dementia, strokes and meningitis. Tumors or other inflammations in the body can lead to listlessness, as can heart, liver or kidney diseases, as well as thyroid disorders.
Diseases with this symptom
- Burnout syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fatigue Syndrome
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Hypothyroidism
- Drug allergy
- Diabetes mellitus
- Affective_disorders
- Hypercalcemia
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Serotonin deficiency
Diagnosis and course
In order to be able to diagnose a lack of drive, the doctor or the physician conducts a medical history. For this purpose, possible causes are considered and the affected person is asked about his economic and social situation. Medication and drug use as well as dietary habits are also discussed. A subsequent examination provides indications of physical disorders, such as tumors. The course of a lack of drive can be very different: If it is due to temporary disturbances, it usually disappears by itself after the disturbance has been eliminated. In severe cases, the listlessness can become severe. The person affected may then no longer be able to meet basic physical needs, such as eating and drinking. Often, the duration of listlessness is related to the severity of the underlying illness.
Complications
Listlessness is the leading symptom of depression and may also occur as a symptom of other mental illnesses.To a certain extent, the failure to perform necessary activities can be regarded as a “complication” or a problem resulting from listlessness. This leads to neglect of personal hygiene and, in more extreme cases of listlessness, also to neglect of food and fluid intake. This can result in various health problems. There can be a loss of body weight and the affected persons can become downright neglected. Of course, this does not occur in all cases of listlessness, but only when listlessness is a symptom of an illness and is also very pronounced. Various social problems can also arise from the pronounced listlessness. These include, for example, the loss of a job or the loss of a partnership and friendships. This is due to the fact that the affected persons can almost no longer perform any activity of their own accord and thus neglect social obligations. The problems caused by listlessness will worsen if the cause of listlessness is not recognized and treated. Treatment cannot be expected to bring about an immediate improvement in the situation – this takes time. Nevertheless, therapy of the underlying disorder is necessary in any case to enable the affected person to live his or her life independently. The ability to live a normal everyday life is lost insidiously with the listlessness.
When should one go to the doctor?
In the case of temporary listlessness, exhaustion or fatigue, it is not always necessary to see a doctor directly. However, if the condition persists for a longer period of time or occurs repeatedly, it is recommended to have the symptoms clarified by a doctor. It is possible that the listlessness is due to a serious illness. This may be indicated by complaints such as night sweats, blood in the stool, irritated mucous membranes or problems with bowel movements that accompany general exhaustion. It is also advisable to see a doctor if the symptoms cannot be treated by typical countermeasures such as sleep, a change in diet or exercise, or if the fatigue is particularly intense. Patients who feel restricted by the lack of drive in their everyday life and work or who experience accompanying depressive moods should consult a specialist. The same applies to unexplained attacks of fatigue or exhaustion after less strenuous activities. It is possible that there is a psychological problem that cannot be combated without outside help. If the listlessness occurs after taking medication or using drugs, a doctor can determine the causes and usually treat the problems quickly. In general, listlessness is a reason to see a doctor if it occurs in children or otherwise apparently healthy people, or if it develops insidiously. Chronic development of the symptoms can usually be prevented by early intervention.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on the underlying disease of listlessness, treatment also varies greatly. Temporary forms may be cured with relaxation techniques and regular exercise in the fresh air. In some cases, this can be extended to a transformation of the entire lifestyle. The goal is to provide the body with more energy and replenish its reserves. If there is an underlying deficiency of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 or iodine, an appropriate preparation is administered in high doses. In addition, a doctor or nutritionist can work out a diet plan in collaboration with the person affected to support a balanced diet. Mental illness is usually treated with antidepressants, antipsychotics and/or psychotherapy. In the course of psychotherapy, a therapist tries to work out the causes of the listlessness in cooperation with the affected person and to cure it. In the case of physical illnesses, the respective clinical picture is usually treated with medication. In the case of tumor diseases, radiation and chemotherapy can be performed, as well as surgery to remove tumor tissue.
Outlook and prognosis
Listlessness has various physical and psychological causes. However, its effects are largely psychosocial.People who suffer from listlessness no longer have the energy to perform everyday tasks, which can lead to a number of problems in their professional and private lives. Even if the professional tasks are mastered and thus economic security is given, listless people like to neglect the private life and eventually suffer from it. Friendships and relationships with family members are lost to them and they run the risk of becoming lonely or developing problems such as depression. In addition, listlessness usually leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which ends in obesity if the diet is wrong or unhealthy. Since this in turn affects the hormone balance of the affected person, in many cases this worsens the already existing listlessness and it becomes very unlikely that the patient will still be able to cope with his health problems without outside help. Although listlessness can have consequences, this does not mean that every occurrence of it must be dangerous. In healthy people, there are occasional phases of listlessness caused, for example, by failure or a general rethinking of previous decisions and actions. These are normal and are part of a psychological process that people go through before they recognize problems and act accordingly. The resulting lack of drive should just not become a permanent condition.
Prevention
To prevent listlessness, it helps to pay attention to a balance between exercise, rest and fresh air, as well as a varied diet. A balanced diet should include enough iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and iodine. Iodine is responsible for the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland, so a diet rich in iodine can prevent hypothyroidism. Sports and exercise in the fresh air, as well as plenty of daylight, help prevent depression, which is a cause of listlessness. Regular consultation with a doctor is advisable for physical illnesses.
What you can do yourself
Listlessness can be very stressful in everyday life. However, those affected have a few options for getting their listlessness under control by specifically planning their daily routine. For one thing, structured planning of everyday life is a good way to start the day with orderly thoughts. Many listless people have a hard time with their daily routine when they are faced with many points of unfinished business. They don’t know where to start and this intensifies the problem of listlessness. It makes sense to give the day a structure with clear time sequences and fixed schedules. On the other hand, those affected should make sure to set themselves small goals in everyday life. Nothing makes you less motivated than constantly thinking that you are faced with a mountain of unsolvable tasks. Small, achievable goals, such as a fixed half hour for clearly defined household chores, provide security. Once this point has been reached, the motivation to get on with the day increases. Lack of motivation in everyday life can often be reduced by spending time in the fresh air. Body and soul benefit from exercise and oxygen. Even a short walk often helps get over a phase of listlessness.
