When mental health conditions were less well understood than they are today, people might label depressed individuals as “lazy.” Laziness and depression can be two separate things, but people can also experience laziness from depression. Someone who’s depressed may struggle to find the motivation to do anything. Let’s explore how laziness and depression connect.
Differentiating Laziness From Depression: Why “Laziness” Might Be a Misunderstood Symptom of Depression
You might wonder, “Do I have depression, or am I lazy?” People often use the term “laziness” to describe feeling fatigued, lacking motivation and having difficulty concentrating. In reality, these are common symptoms of depression.
Depression is a mental health condition that negatively impacts brain function. You may have difficulty completing simple tasks, such as running errands, working out or making time for friends and family. Since so many people confuse depression with laziness, you may feel overwhelming guilt when you’re unable to handle normal activities. And the guilt and shame you feel about being “lazy” can cause you to spiral into further depression.
But laziness and depression are very different. Ultimately, laziness is a behavioral decision to avoid action or effort, even though you have the energy and ability to do so. Laziness isn’t a medical condition and is usually temporary.
One of the main signs that you’re depressed, not lazy, is the duration. Laziness typically lasts only a few hours or a day. Depressive episodes can last from a few weeks to several years.
Depression is highly treatable, but without professional intervention, the depressive episode is more likely to persist.
Fortunately, an increasing number of people are coming to understand the importance of seeking treatment. In 2021, an estimated 61% of adults in the United States with a major depressive episode received some form of treatment.
How Stigma and Self-Blame Delay Help-Seeking
Your new mantra needs to be, “I’m not lazy, I’m depressed.” It’s critical to understand the difference between the two and use the correct language. As already explained above, laziness is a choice — a decision to be unproductive in the moment. Depression is a treatable medical condition.
So, if you’re struggling through depressive symptoms but internalizing it as laziness, you’re likely to deal with guilt and self-blame. Rather than acknowledging you have a mental health condition that impairs your ability to function, you tell yourself you’re simply not trying enough.
Mistaking depression for laziness can delay seeking help, such as speaking to a mental health professional. This is a crucial initial step on the path to recovery. If you tell yourself you’re just lazy, you won’t get the help you need.
Failing to seek help promptly can have serious consequences. Depression can worsen if left untreated. In some individuals, depression can lead to thoughts of self-harm. Suicide ranks among the leading causes of death in the United States every year, which is precisely why diagnosing and treating depression is essential.
Differentiating Low Energy From Lack of Discipline
Still unsure if you’re depressed or lazy?
“Lazy” is a subjective term. Some individuals thrive on productivity, while others prefer rest. So, some people may always appear “lazier” than their peers.
How can you know that you have a lack of discipline or are suffering from low energy? Focus on your desire to act. When you have low energy, you want to complete a task but can’t mentally or physically motivate yourself to do it. If you lack discipline, you can do the task but make excuses to delay it.
Here’s a quick checklist of symptoms that may indicate you suffer from low energy:
- Physical exhaustion. You often feel physically too tired to handle simple life tasks, such as cooking, cleaning or taking care of yourself.
- Mental exhaustion. You feel overwhelmed and fatigued at the thought of making decisions, even small ones.
- Poor recovery. You feel unable to bounce back after performing simple tasks, whether mental or physical.
One way to test if you have low energy is to try a low-effort activity. Choose an activity you find enjoyable, like a walk or journaling. If you can’t bring yourself to do this activity, you may be suffering from low energy and depression.
The Mental and Physical Toll of Depression on Motivation
Depression has mental and physical side effects that produce a very real impact on motivation.
The mental toll on motivation includes:
- Emotional and cognitive changes. Depression brings intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, despair and decreased self-esteem. These strong emotions can eliminate all feelings of motivation.
- Reduced interest. A common symptom of depression is losing interest in passions and goals. There’s no desire to pursue or engage in anything.
- Isolation. Depressed individuals often withdraw from others. Social connection can be a strong motivator. When you isolate, you no longer feel a desire to accomplish anything.
The physical toll of depression on motivation includes:
- Chronic fatigue. Someone who’s depressed is often battling chronic fatigue, which can make doing tasks feel like an impossible challenge.
- Sleeping issues. Depression can lead to sleeping too much or too little, both of which can zap motivation to complete tasks.
- Appetite issues. Depression can result in dramatic changes in appetite. Eating too much or too little can decrease energy and motivation.
Unfortunately, all this creates a vicious cycle. Depression can cause symptoms that make it hard to find motivation for daily tasks. However, this inaction produces feelings of shame and guilt, which can further deepen the depression.
How to Reframe the Conversation With Compassion
If you think you may have depression, you can view yourself and your mental health status differently. Be compassionate toward yourself, and refrain from using blaming language. Don’t allow yourself to accept the label of “lazy.” You’re depressed, not lazy.
Recognize how far you’ve come. Moving from confusion and self-blame to understanding and compassion for your mental health condition is impressive. It takes strength and bravery to get help when you need it.
Small Steps Toward Recovery and Functionality
Recovery starts with speaking to a mental health professional who can create a treatment plan. Treatment options for depression may include therapy and medication.
You may also consider implementing lifestyle changes, such as exercising, meditating and eating a healthy diet.
Be patient with yourself and your progress. Depression is curable, but you won’t necessarily see changes overnight. Therapy can foster slow, concrete changes that can have a lifelong positive impact on improving depressive symptoms.
Restore Mental Health
Don’t let depression continue to rule your life. Restore Mental Health offers compassionate care to help you transform your life. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
