Avolition
Pronunciation: ay-voh-LI-shun
A marked decrease in the initiation of and persistence in goal-directed activities, classified as a negative symptom in psychotic spectrum disorders.
Full Definition
Avolition is characterized by a profound lack of motivation that impairs a person's ability to carry out routine tasks such as self-care, work, or social engagement. It is a core negative symptom in schizophrenia and related conditions and must be distinguished from depression-related anhedonia, which primarily reflects the absence of pleasure rather than an absence of drive. In behavioral health documents, avolition is often listed among the criteria met for a diagnosis or cited as a functional impairment justifying a specific level of care. Editors should note the correct spelling (not 'avolation' or 'abolition') and be aware it is not interchangeable with 'anhedonia' despite frequent colloquial overlap.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate. Verify spelling carefully—'abolition' is a common OCR and transcription error. Distinguish clearly from 'anhedonia' in diagnostic narratives.
In Context
- "The clinician documented avolition as a persistent barrier to the client's participation in vocational rehabilitation." — Psychosocial rehabilitation plan
- "The assessment report distinguished between avolition and depressive withdrawal before finalizing the diagnostic impression." — Psychiatric evaluation