[dvcrn]

Giving a third +1 here. I had (have) similar issues with motivation and got diagnosed with ADHD at age 25.

I'd describe it as "a disability of knowing how to do something, but not actually doing it unless there are external consequences involved"

[ExtremisAndy]

Oh wow... you just described me with frightening accuracy. I’ve never seen my issue described so clearly and concisely. Basically, if there aren’t negative consequences for me not completing a task, my brain simply never gets motivated. It’s almost as if my brain is saying: “meh... you don’t really have to do this... so go play on Facebook some more”. If I could resolve this issue which has plagued me for years, it would revolutionize my life and career.

[dvcrn]

When in doubt always best to talk to a doc. Best case you are completely fine, but doesn't hurt checking. (The irony is that people with ADHD are probably the least likely to get up by themselves and make an appointment given that there are no consequences of not doing it lol)

ADHD is of course not just motivation but a spectrum of symptoms. I'd highly recommend listening to Dr. Russell Barkley talk about ADHD on this playlist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg6cfsnmqyg&list=PLzBixSjmbc...

Watch from 1B onwards and see if you feel like it describes you

[thatsenough]

How do you differentiate this from laziness/apathy?

[dvcrn]

The feeling can feel similar which is probably why a lot of people think they are just lazy. But ADHD is more of a reduced / lack of self-drive combined with a self-regulation + internal prioritization problem. Maybe a bit like laziness but the feeling is multiplied.

I of course have moments when I feel lazy and just don't want to do anything, but then there are the other moments when I want to do something, work on a project, practice a hobby but just don't. There is this disconnect, it's hard to explain

Best to look at other key ADHD symptoms as well like emotional regulation, rejection sensitve dysphoria, focus, (mental) hyperactivity (= your brain can't just chill), the need to constantly do something, impulsiveness (like with money), etc etc etc.

It's of course a spectrum and some people are worse in x while other people suffer more on y.

Best to talk to a doc if it affects your life. Could be ADHD, could be something else. It's very common though so admitting that there might be a problem is the first step to getting better

[twocats]

Laziness and/or apathy are value judgments; they offer no useful insight into behaviour unless you believe that sin is a real thing.

[thatsenough]

Not really. You're choosing a definition those words that involves a value judgement.

[internet_user]

apathy can be part of dysexecutive syndromes, such as ADHD.

To be pedantic, apathy is lack of emotion and interest.

Often that is not the case in ADHD. The hallmark of that syndrome is the inability to follow through/self-regulate behavior/plan actions to achieve the objective they are interested in.