Motivational Deficiency Disorder

The moment I read this, I was almost certain I had this disease myself. And so will a lot of you, who might read this. Don't worry, you don't!! Being lazy is normal. However, on being pointed out by my roommate - I think one of my doctors (no name - I'm gonna get into trouble), is suffering from this disorder. He is not 'just' lazy, but rather "extremely" lazy. More than I could ever imagine someone to be.

This disorder is relatively newly described. So there wasnt much information that I could collect. I shall, therefore, probably quote from the articles that I read.

Actually, its just 'an' atricle published by British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Extreme laziness may have a medical basis, say a group of high profile Australian scientists, describing a new condition called motivational deficiency disorder (MoDeD).

The condition is claimed to affect up to one in five Australians and is characterised by overwhelming and debilitating apathy. Neuroscientists at the University of Newcastle in Australia say that in severe cases motivational deficiency disorder can be fatal, because the condition reduces the motivation to breathe.

Neurologist Leth Argos is part of the team that has identified the disorder, which can be diagnosed using a combination of positron emission tomography (PET scan) and low scores on a motivation rating scale, previously validated in elite athletes. "This disorder is poorly understood," Professor Argos told the BMJ. "It is underdiagnosed and undertreated."

Professor Argos is an adviser to a small Australian biotechnology company, Healthtec, which is currently concluding phase II trials of indolebant, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist. Although still unpublished, the preliminary results from the company's phase II studies are promising, according to Professor Argos: "Indolebant is effective and well tolerated. One young man who could not leave his sofa is now working as an investment adviser in Sydney."

David Henry, a clinical pharmacologist at the University of Newcastle and long time critic of pharmaceutical marketing strategies, says that although he appreciates that some people with severe motivational deficiency disorder may need treatment, he is concerned that the prevalence estimates of one in five are inflated and that ordinary laziness is being medicalised. "Indolebant may bring some relief to those with a debilitating form of MoDeD, but common laziness is not a disease. People have an absolute right to just sit there."

*Just in case you're wondering... CB1 receptors are receptors in the brain, mostly in the basal ganglia and limbic system. Bsal ganglia are associated with motor and learning functions, and limbic system is involved with emotions and motivation.

I would like to emphasize this particular sentence from the article..
"he is concerned that the prevalence estimates of one in five are inflated and that ordinary laziness is being medicalised."

This could actually pose as a danger, at some point. Just as these days, any small margin of lack of attention, is diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - or minor fatigue, depression and weight loss is considered as hyperthyroidism. I witnessed a worried and anxious mother, who was convinced that her daughter was suffering from hyperthyroidism. Her daughter was apparently, sleeping more, looked more depressed, and was losing a lot of weight (she failed to mention that she was eating less too).

Similarly, we will reach the stage (or have we already? - considering my reaction to the article initially) where any minute amount of laziness (which is normal) is considered as a disorder, and there will be unnecessary drug intake.

Also, it is probably one the "best" excuses so far that kids can use as to why they did not complete their homework, assaignments and did not study well for their exams.

Quoting David Henry, from above, "People have an absolute right to just sit there."!!