Abulia

This apathetic indifference marked by absence of interest either in one's self or in others arises in a number of disturbed mental conditions. The associated feelings of helplessness and lack of faith or hope distinguish the state from [accidie]

, which is more indicative of lack of concern, and from [anomie]

, where lack of adjustment to changed circumstances causes alienation. In abulia, every effort is meaningless for there is no sense of direction; the result may be uninhibited or unconsidered activity - [hyperabulia]

- or extreme hesitancy. Emptiness is characterized by a feeling of difference from others, an inability to love or care about others or to respond to affection and attention. It may appear to be the entirety of experience when all other feeling is precluded. Spiritual emptiness even under conditions of success and prosperity may be due to a breakdown in social standards and values. [Logotherapy]

is one system intended to counteract this tendency. The term abulia is also extended to include a level of consciousness in hypnosis when the conscious mind becomes passive and the will is relinquished.