Aboulia

The aboulia ( gr ἀβουλία aboulia, helplessness ') is a pathological lack of willpower, weakness of will and indecision. The inability to speak due to a loss of phonic innervation is also called aboulia.

Characteristics

Affected people would like to carry out an activity or action, but can not grasp a decision to do so or are unable to perform this. A aboulia is often associated with an excessive increase of automation and a weakness of sensitivity.

The disease occurs mainly in the frontal lobe disease (cancer, depression or neurosis ) and in schizophrenic psychoses and is often associated with melancholy. Can be added dumbness ( mutism ) or taciturn language with long pauses and the inability to longer monologues.

Effects

Good intentions do not come for execution. It is moved and shifted; concentration to the actual operation or to a single business is no longer possible. It can come in the sequel to the complete loss of will-power and social isolation.

Therapy

The aboulia is not an independent and thus treatable disease, but always is a symptom of another disease represents the treatment of the underlying disease, such as depression, therefore, is in the foreground.

Trivia

In the hospital series House MD " scapegoat with joy " (season 3) is in the episode represented a patient who (TIA ) temporarily suffers from complete aboulia after a transient ischemic attack in the frontal brain.