amotivational syndrome

A popular term for the lack of desire to participate in social activities, personal interests, professional pursuits and interpersonal relationships. Authors in the 1970s to mid-1980s attributed the lack of motivation to marijuana abuse; the term was adopted by popular culture and was said to most commonly affect young men, the learning disabled, and emotionally immature individuals. The World Health Organisation has deemed there to be is no evidence to support the diagnosis of amotivational syndrome.

amotivational syndrome

Substance abuse A condition linked to chronic marijuana abuse, which most commonly affects young, learning disabled, and emotionally immature individuals. See 'Gateway' drugs, Marijuana.

amotivational syndrome

An effect of prolonged heavy use of MARIJUANA (cannabis). There is apathy, unwillingness to persist at any task and usually a gain in weight.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

(38,47) Amotivational syndrome, a disorder that includes apathy, callousness, and antisocial behavior, has been described, but the interplay between cannabis and motivation beyond recent use is unclear.

Recreational cannabinoid use: the hazards behind the "high": marijuana use can cause concerning physical, psychomotor, cognitive, and psychiatric effects, not to mention a near-doubling of car accidents

In adults, studies have shown chronic marijuana use induces psychosis, schizotypal traits, amotivational syndrome, anxiety, sad moods, dependence and permanent learning issues.

LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG

Kristen Babinski of New York University and her associates presented a case of PML that presented in a 26-year-old man being treated for multiple sclerosis whose only symptom of PML was subacute amotivational syndrome,

New data may tweak Natalizumab's use in MS

I would ask about a chronic marijuana smoker who develops amotivational syndrome whether we should look for this extraneous finding as if the information we have were not sufficient to explain the completely screwed-up life of this young person.

Fink! Still at large: a study on youth involved with the child welfare system suggests that they may be 'at risk for negative outcomes.' To what extent might CWS contact affect a child's mental health?

Impaired emotional regulation and amotivational syndrome are often the results.

Address client myths about marijuana: professionals can counteract mixed messages in society that impede healing

Since 1971, other pathological claims have been made against marijuana in the areas of immune dysfunction, reproductive disturbances, pulmonary debilitations, and amotivational syndrome in the psychological realm.

Three positive shifts away from marijuana use, 1979-1988

1 letter, headlined "Legal pot benefits outweigh risks," he stated that the "amotivational syndrome" is poor research from long ago.

LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG

For me, one of the current dilemmas is how to care for young people in their 20s who have amotivational syndrome as a result of marijuana addiction.

A recent study shows that the provision of psychotherapy by psychiatrists has declined sharply. Is psychiatry in danger of losing psychotherapy as a tool?

Their testimonials, which suggest that pot turns people into useless zombies eager to snort cocaine and shoot heroin, draw on two major themes in anti-marijuana propaganda: "amotivational syndrome" and the "gateway effect."

Marihuana: just say no again: the old failures of new and improved anti-drug education

An analogue is amotivational syndrome, often seen in patients who have used marijuana regularly and sometimes excessively over several years.

Alexithymia requires persistence, empathy

Zimmer and Morgan also demolish claims about marijuana's psychological effects, including "amotivational syndrome." Their critique of the "gateway theory" - the idea that marijuana use leads to the use of more dangerous drugs - is particularly incisive.

Drug Crazy: How We Got Into This Mess and How We Can Get Out

I have seen a significant number of late adolescents and young adults who develop an amotivational syndrome, which is common and, to me, the most difficult symptom of marijuana addiction.

Helping elderly drug abusers