[2024] Am I depressed or lazy? Fact-based Answer! - Depression Open Talks

You start to question, “Am I depressed or lazy? What’s happening to me?” You’re not the only one to have this inquiry. It’s normal to question why you find it difficult to complete any activities. Depression Open Talks will help you answer this tricky question.

Although it may seem as though idleness and depression are related, their root causes are extremely distinct. Those who are having trouble deciding which route to pursue on their road toward their recovery can benefit from being aware of the distinctions between depression and laziness.

You can be unsure whether you have depression if you feel unmotivated and lethargic. If so, are there actions you can do to regain your sense of self? What distinguishes depression from laziness, then? Am I depressed or lazy only? These questions will be addressed right below.

What is laziness?

Definition

The sense of being unmotivated and uninterested in undertaking things like work, socializing, hobbies, and routine daily tasks is known as laziness. Laziness is frequently a sign of more serious conditions like depression or anxiety. When you’re feeling lazy, you generally feel exhausted, unworthy, and easily distracted. You also tend to put off crucial activities.

Signs of laziness

If you’re feeling lazy, you’re probably low on energy. Throughout the day, you could feel worn out and uninspired to do anything. Stress or burnout can both contribute to fatigue. You can frequently feel the need to sleep or relax if you’re overworked physically and mentally from work or school.

If you feel lazy, the feeling easily comes and goes. You may be aware that you don’t usually feel this way, even if you are or have been feeling lethargic today. There may be days when you feel productive, have a lot of energy, or are inspired to accomplish things you like. Going outside, getting out of bed, or seeing people are not frightening to you.

Solutions

• If you’re finding it difficult to stay motivated, think about speaking with a therapist or wellness coach. You can get assistance finding answers depending on your personality or way of life from them.
• Consider giving your phone to a friend to hold for a bit or keeping it in a drawer if you discover that being glued to your phone prevents you from finishing sending emails or doing schoolwork.

• Take regular pauses and divide a large project into smaller components. Try to take a couple of quick 10-minute breaks during a three-hour assignment if you expect it to take that long.
• Get some fresh air, hydrate, or stretch while you’re on break. Take a contemplative stroll and consider all the options available, or consider the past actions you’ve taken to lift yourself out of a funk.
• Explore a passion you can maintain, organize your room, or rearrange your furniture. Find motivational blogs, articles, or videos online, or check out some Ted Talks, podcasts, or uplifting music.

What is depression?

Definition

Over 8% of American adults suffer from depression, a prevalent psychiatric condition. It has an impact on every part of life, including how you think, feel, and act. Depression is not only marked by intense, persistent sadness, but it also renders people incapable of experiencing pleasure.

Depressed people can experience a range of medical issues, and lose interest in activities they once found enjoyable. They also withdraw from friends and relationships and lose or gain weight unintentionally without trying.

People with depression experience fatigue and lethargy. It also destroys one’s capacity for interest in anything, including once-pleasant pursuits. Even though they may be sleeping a lot more than usual due to depression, their energy levels also plummet.

Symptoms of depression

Rapid mood fluctuations are common among depressed people. If you’re depressed, you can notice that your mood swings from being content to experiencing fits of rage or melancholy. Other signs you might be displaying include difficulties concentrating, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, and eating more or less than normal.

Anhedonia is one of the symptoms of depression. According to doctors, it needs not to be utter discontent but rather a diminished level of enjoyment for activities you once found enjoyable. It’s a typical sign of sadness and other mental health conditions. There are two categories of Anhedonia:

• Social: You don’t enjoy being with other people and would rather avoid social settings.
• Physical: You don’t find pleasure in activities like caressing, having sex, or even eating.

Depression can cause people to slumber or daydream all day. As seventy-five percent of those who suffer from depression also have sleep problems, depression and sleep problems are intimately associated. The mind may use daydreaming as a means of escaping from situations that it perceives as unpleasant or overpowering.

Daydreaming is common, but when it takes over your thoughts and becomes addictive, it can be troublesome. This can cause you to put off dealing with real-world responsibilities and relationships.

It could be difficult for you to get out of bed in the morning when you’re depressed. There can be a severe loss of motivation to do anything when you have depression. If your day doesn’t excite you, getting out of bed in the morning doesn’t seem like a smart idea, particularly if you like the warm, cozy, and secure feeling of being in bed.

📚 Related Blog: How does a depression room affect you?

Additionally, you can have problems focusing. Because it’s challenging for you to focus on one thing for an extended amount of time, you might discover that you’re slipping behind at work or school, for instance. You can struggle to achieve a deadline on time or lose out on crucial information during a meeting.

Furthermore, you could discover that some of your relationships deteriorate as a result of your inability to hold a discussion. During a conversation, you can find your thoughts wandering, which the other person might interpret as a lack of interest.

Some depressed individuals have suicidal ideas. It’s an urgent problem that requires immediate action. Someone having suicidal thoughts may talk or write openly about dying or wanting to die, start giving away possessions, act aggressively, experience significant mood swings, and withdraw from social situations.

Treatment

Consult a mental health professional or your doctor if you’re experiencing depressive symptoms. Your primary care physician can help you find resources and steer you toward seeking out your options for mental health assistance. To be sure they are a suitable fit for you and your needs, you may schedule your free phone consultation right away.

• BetterHelp (Online Therapy) – BetterHelp offers simple and cost-effective online therapy through its network of more than 20,000 qualified therapists. BetterHelp’s weekly rate is $60. Fill out a short form to be matched with the best therapist.
• Online-Therapy.com – Receive help with treatment. A weekly 45-minute video session, unrestricted texting in between sessions, and self-guided exercises like journaling are all included in Online-basic Therapy.com’s package. They most recently uploaded Yoga videos. 
• Brightside Health (Online Psychiatry) – If you’re struggling with depression, finding the appropriate prescription can make a difference. Treatment programs at Brightside Health start at $95 per month. You can have FDA-approved drugs delivered right to your home after completing a free online examination and acquiring a prescription.

To discuss your feelings and thoughts with a professional, you might find it helpful to write in a diary while you’re awaiting your first visit.

Even though it may be challenging, trying to understand your thoughts and feelings is a necessary step in the healing process. Even just reading this article can help you learn and develop in meaningful ways. We hope it has given you some knowledge and comfort.

How do I know: Am I depressed or lazy?

After reading the symptoms of both laziness and depression, you now probably better differentiate between them. Based on those symptoms, you can confidently answer the question: “Am I depressed or lazy?”

Depression and laziness have many characteristics so many people are mistakenly categorized as lazy. Both of these have an impact on productivity, energy levels, focus, and motivation.

Because they lack self-awareness or understanding of what motivates them, lazy people are simply unmotivated by factors beyond their control. Depression, on the other hand, harms one’s mental health and mood with underlying impacts.

It’s common to experience brief episodes of sadness, as was previously stated. These phases may span a few days, but what if the feelings persist for weeks or even months? Then, it’s possible that you might suffer from depression combined with the above depression signs.

The length of your depression may vary depending on some variables, including whether you’re getting the right care or changing your lifestyle. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional as soon as you can if you have acute dejection and interest loss for longer than two weeks.

Have there ever been times when you were going about your day and all of a sudden had an undesirable thought or image that you couldn’t shake? Despite your best efforts, the thought keeps coming to mind. Having gloomy thoughts or sentiments is common in depressed people. They can feel overpowered or puzzled if they appear at random and without prior notice. When they first start to cross your mind, it can also be incredibly terrifying.

Answer to Am I depressed or lazy

Laziness and depression are not rare human emotions. Neither are right nor wrong. Hope when you can tell “am I depressed or lazy?“, you can also find the most suitable treatment methods to overcome your own dilemma.

Depression is a treatable illness, so the sooner you begin to overcome it, the sooner you’ll be able to lead a fulfilling life. To discuss the best options for your care, speak with your doctor.

References

Am I depressed or lazy? (n.d.). MyWellbeing. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://mywellbeing.com/therapy-101/am-i-depressed-or-lazy

Am I Depressed or Lazy? How to Tell the Difference. (2022, February 7). Choosing Therapy. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/depressed-or-lazy/