Am I lazy or depressed? Ways to Recognize the Difference

Highlights

• Over 20 million persons in America suffer from depression, a mental illness.
• Two of the main signs of depression are exhaustion and a lack of drive.
• Laziness is a decision-driven condition in which an individual chooses not to put in the effort necessary to accomplish activities that they could.
• It might be challenging to distinguish between sadness and laziness because of their overlapping traits.
• People may be unable to receive much-needed depression treatment because of stigma and contempt for what is viewed as “lazy” conduct.

 When we feel lethargic, we frequently experience a great deal of guilt. When we aren’t working at Energizer Bunny pace, it’s simple to wonder whether we’re depressed or “lazy” in a culture that rewards drive and continual output. People with varying energy levels don’t appear to be treated with grace by society. When can a lack of drive truly point to a mental health ⁽¹⁾ problem? Let’s dispel some fallacies around indolence.

What Signs Indicate Depression? Does Laziness Qualify?

A consistently low or sad mood that lasts for at least two weeks or more, frequently coupled with a lack of interest in once-loved activities, is the hallmark of major depressive disorder (MDD). According to estimates, about  21 million individuals in the US ⁽²⁾ (8.1%) ⁽³⁾  have gone through at least one serious depressive episode. Adults aged 18 to 25 are the demographic most impacted by depressive episodes.

Typical signs of depression ⁽⁴⁾  include:

• A chronic feeling of melancholy, anxiety, or “emptiness.”
• Pessimism or hopelessness.
• Sensations of restlessness, frustration, or impatience.
• Senses of powerlessness, worthlessness, or guilt.
• An abrupt decline in interest in pastimes and pursuits.
• Having trouble focusing.
• Having trouble concentrating.
• Memory problems.
• Having trouble making decisions.
• Modifications to sleep habits, from trouble falling asleep to excessive sleep. Some people who have depressed episodes wake up too early.
• Modifications in eating and appetite.
• Weight fluctuations, such as notable weight gain or decrease.
• Pains and aches.
• Physical health problems that cannot be explained, such as recurring headaches, cramping, or inexplicable digestion problems.
• Death, suicide, or attempted suicide thoughts ⁽⁵⁾.

Traditional signs of depression include fatigue, poor energy, and feeling “slowed down” or “mired down.” Simple actions might make you feel like you’re struggling through a difficult situation. It’s crucial to remember that different people have different experiences with depression. Only one or two symptoms may be present in some persons. Some people may have all or most of the symptoms.

What Makes Depression Seem Like Laziness?

The common thread in depression is that its symptoms make it difficult for a person to go about their everyday life normally. For someone who is depressed, the repercussions of low energy and subpar performance that appear to others as “laziness” can be distressing. Depression symptoms may appear as follows from the outside:

• A rise in rage and mood swings ⁽⁶⁾.
• Anxiety or restlessness.
• Extending oneself or becoming aloof.
• Having a pessimistic attitude.
• Taking part in dangerous activities.
• Self-segregating actions.
• Problems with desire or sexual performance.

While some persons with depression are able to carry on with their regular lives, many find that it becomes hard to keep up with their obligations. Many depressed persons are unable to fulfill their responsibilities to their families or relationships. The illness may also have an impact on schooling and professional life.

Does Being Lazy Always Indicate Depression?

Not always. When talking about sadness and idleness, we must be careful not to generalize. Lack of motivation can also be attributed to personal preference. But abrupt and inexplicable “laziness” usually indicates a deeper issue, including medical ⁽⁷⁾ ailments or mental health concerns like anxiety or despair. Persistent weariness can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including heredity, autoimmune illnesses, underlying diseases ⁽⁸⁾, and difficulty sleeping.

Burnout ⁽⁹⁾ , which leads to exhaustion, can also be caused by an overly hectic or demanding schedule. If someone is physically worn out by working long hours, studying for difficult tests, sitting up all night with a baby, tending to a sick loved one, or practicing for a sporting event, their behavior or energy levels may resemble certain depression symptoms. Even a lack of sleep brought on by excessive media intake, screen time, or other habits that don’t emphasize getting eight hours of sleep every night can leave someone feeling exhausted and sluggish.

What Could Be Inferred as Laziness?

It’s not only depression that may be confused with being lazy. As discussed above, it can also be mistaken for other illnesses, such as autoimmune disorders. Typical medical conditions that initially may be confused with weariness or exhaustion include:

• Lyme illness.
• The syndrome of chronic exhaustion.
• Problems with the thyroid.
• Deficits or imbalances in hormones.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Diabetes type 2.
• Celiac illness.
• Apnea during sleep. ⁽¹⁰⁾
• Heart problems and heart disease.
• Anemia.
• Rheumatoid arthritis in children.
• Lupus.

Fatigue is a symptom of hundreds of illnesses. A person should ideally speak with a doctor if they are suffering unexpected and inexplicable symptoms. Blood panels and other testing ⁽¹¹⁾ can determine whether your feelings of laziness are caused by an underlying issue.

Furthermore, what seem to be “lazy” actions might also be caused by certain other mental health disorders ⁽¹²⁾. This encompasses obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety. These disorders can cause ⁽¹³⁾ people to become so consumed by their compulsions, fight-or-flight reactions, or distractibility that they overlook their everyday responsibilities.

Am I depressed or lazy? Important Distinctions

It is generally accepted that if someone chooses not to perform an action that, given the effort required, they could perform both cognitively and physically, they are being lazy. Usually, this leads to a condition of inactivity. If they try at all, they could either perform it poorly or choose a less demanding version of the work. The ultimate definition of laziness is allowing our desire to save ourselves work to triumph over our desire to put our best effort into a task.

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to tell if someone is lethargic or suffering from a mental health illness based just on their physical symptoms and emotions. The Beck Depression Inventory is a useful tool to begin with (BDI). The most popular depression test is this one.

Self-diagnosing, however, may result in missed opportunities for appropriate therapy. For this reason, it is essential to obtain a precise diagnosis of depression from a qualified mental health ⁽¹⁴⁾ practitioner. To evaluate your symptoms, a trained professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, authorized questionnaires, and other reliable resources.

What Is Laziness’s Primary Cause?

There could be a gap in your everyday life if it turns out that your actions can be attributed to laziness rather than significant depressive condition. Because the benefits appear so distant, many persons who engage in lazy activities lack the internal desire to complete tasks.

Experts quickly clarify, though, that not everyone who seems lethargic is truly lazy. People frequently find themselves in a rut of lethargy because they haven’t discovered anything that inspires them. Some people may adopt a “why bother?” mindset as a result of their fear, pessimism, and despair about the future. Furthermore, those with poor self-esteem may use lazy behavior as a self-destructive strategy to effectively stop themselves before they are let down by failure or mockery.

Ways to Increase Your Motivation

If you think you have depression or have been diagnosed with it, motivational advice is not a substitute for a professional intervention. However, there are several methods for the typical individual who struggles with lethargy to find motivation. Try using these suggestions to get more energy:

• Develop stress-reduction strategies: If stress causes you to become paralyzed or give up, it’s possible that you have never developed constructive coping mechanisms that enable you to continue moving ahead despite stress. Healthy coping mechanisms for stress include joining a support group, prioritizing eight hours of sleep each night, and using self-care techniques.
• Benefit from improved stress management ⁽¹⁵⁾ with improved time management: If you feel lethargic due to your workload, think about mastering time-management skills that eliminate the uncertainty and fear of finishing daily duties. For instance, you may minimize the stress that comes with having an overfull schedule by using the 3-3-3 approach to set a reasonable amount of priority for your days and weeks.
• Make exercise a priority: Research shows that exercise improves well-being and motivation. It could even affect how well you perform at work. Experts claim that regular exercisers are more likely to report feeling more satisfied with their jobs, having more energy, being able to focus better, and being more creative.
• Develop self-care techniques: Understand that what appears to be indolence may actually be burnout or tiredness. Make an effort to set aside time to recharge from the rigors of everyday obligations. Taking a short break from a “hamster wheel” situation might help you determine if your feelings are a sign of depression or something else entirely.

The Dangers of Untreated Depression: The Value of Getting Expert Assistance

Instead of getting a diagnosis, there is no honor in “shaking off” or “pushing through” sadness. It’s risky to wait for depression to go away on its own. Experts are aware that depression alters the brain if left untreated. Numerous neurological alterations, such as atrophy ⁽¹⁶⁾ , cortical thinning ⁽¹⁷⁾ , and abnormal activity in certain brain areas, are linked to untreated depression.

Additionally, depression seems to change the brain’s neurotransmission mechanisms, making it harder for various brain areas to connect with one another. Depending on the intensity and duration of a depressive episode, untreated depression might have different long-term effects. To develop a customized treatment plan, it’s critical to speak with a medical expert ⁽¹⁸⁾ or mental health specialist.

Conclusion

If you are truly experiencing the symptoms of depression, you might not be in a position to fight off idleness on your own. When you’re feeling exhausted or listless, well-meaning family members and friends may encourage you to just “pull yourself up by the bootstraps,” which might exacerbate the issue. They believe that a motivational speech is sufficient to overcome indolence. Clinical depression is actually a severe mental illness that calls for expert treatment, such as online or in-person counseling,