6 Signs You’re Depressed, Not Lazy
We all have days where we want to lie in bed
and do absolutely nothing.
We all feel unmotivated and uninspired from time to time.
However, in our hyper-competitive society,
we often feel guilty for resting.
But what if your “laziness” is more than just feeling burnt out?
Here are six warning signs that you might be dealing with depression, not just laziness.
1. You Can’t Snap Yourself Out of It
Laziness usually creeps in when you are overly stressed
or have been working too hard.
Often, you can use tips like making a to-do list
or listening to motivational talks to get back on track.
- Depression isn’t a choice: It is not something you can just shake off or “get over,” no matter what people tell you.
- Professional Help: It is a serious mental illness that often requires therapy or medication.
2. You Can’t Cheer Yourself Up
Do you struggle with unexplained loneliness, sadness, and hopelessness?
If you feel exhausted all the time
and nothing seems to cheer you up, it might be depression.
- No Relief: No amount of sleep, comfort food, or fun times with friends seems to brighten your spirits.
- Loss of Joy: Even doing things you used to love or spending time with loved ones doesn’t make you feel better.
3. You’ve Lost Interest in Everything
A markedly diminished interest
or pleasure in activities is a hallmark of a depressive episode.
- Total Withdrawal: If your “laziness” has made you lose motivation for everything—including school, work, and hobbies—something is wrong.
- Staying in Bed: You prefer to stay at home and lie in bed doing nothing because you just can’t find it in yourself to care anymore.
4. You Can’t Function Like You Used To
Is your lack of motivation getting out of hand
and becoming unmanageable?
- Dysfunction: Psychologists look for “dysfunction” as a sign of abnormality.
- Interference: If your state significantly interferes with everyday tasks and feels like a constant hurdle in your work, school, or personal life, it may be time to see a professional.
5. Your Laziness Isn’t Triggered by Anything
Laziness or procrastination can usually be traced to specific causes like
low self-esteem, lack of discipline, or lack of interest.
- No Clear Trigger: Depression often doesn’t have a clear, singular trigger.
- Sudden Onset: If you find yourself feeling down, disheartened, and unenergetic all of a sudden without a clear reason, depression may be the cause.
6. Your Laziness Isn’t a Choice
While laziness can be changed with rest, inspiration,
or productivity hacks, depression is not easily altered.
- Not a Choice: You are not choosing to be depressed or stay depressed.
- Guilt and Shame: People with depression often feel extreme guilt, shame, and helplessness because they cannot just “snap out of it”.
Conclusion
If you relate to these signs, know that mental illness goes
much deeper than just “seeking attention” or being lazy.
If you or someone you know is struggling,
please do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional.
