A person experiencing avolition may stay at home for long periods of time, rather than seeking out work or peer relations.
In 2006, avolition was identified as a negative symptom of schizophrenia by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),[3] and has been observed in patients with bipolar disorder as well as resulting from trauma.
[4] In order to provide effective treatment, the underlying cause of avolition (if any) has to be identified and it is important to properly differentiate it from other symptoms, even though they might reflect similar aspects of mental illness.
Together with schizophrenia's chronic nature, such facts added to the outlook of never getting well, might further implicate feelings of hopelessness and similar in patients as well as their friends and family.
[8] Compared with social skills training (SST), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) shows more promise in treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, including avolition.