Am I Depressed or Lazy?

Does Having Depression Make You Lazy?

If you have ever suffered from a bout of depression, you know that it can leave you feeling listless and unmotivated. You may even wonder, “Am I depressed or lazy?”

The fact is that, if you do meet the criteria for depression, you are indeed not just being lazy. Depression is known for causing low energy and fatigue, and that impacts your life in many ways. Keep reading to learn more about the effects of depression.

Learn About Depression

What is clear is when you are depressed it affects not only your mental state but also your body itself. The mind-body connection is a powerful one. This translates to the deep sense of fatigue and even excessive sleeping that happens when you are depressed.

Depression is a common mental health disorder among American adults. According to the NIMH, about 21 million adults struggle with a depressive episode each year.

Along with a rise in depression, rates is a concurrent increase in suicides. In fact, suicide now ranks as the second leading cause of preventable death among the cohort aged 10-34. This only confirms the importance of getting expert help to manage the condition.

Symptoms of major depressive disorder include:

• Persistent sadness, a sense of hopelessness, or feeling “empty.”
• Irritability
• Changes in appetite; sudden weight change.
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or shame.
• Fatigue
• Slowed speech or movements.
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions.
• Symptoms such as gastric distress, headaches, or body aches.
• Lack of sleep or excessive sleeping.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

There are different ways that depression presents clinically, each type having its own unique features. These types of depressive disorder include:

• Postpartum depression.
• Persistent depressive disorder.
• Seasonal affective disorder.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
• Bipolar depression.

Causes of Depression

The causes of depression are still somewhat of a mystery. Science continues to reveal some clues into this complex disorder. There are five factors that are known to play a role in who might be prone to depression:

• Genetics. It has been found that depression runs in families.
• Brain chemistry. Neural activity and brain chemistry imbalances are factors in faulty mood regulation.
• Personality. Our unique personalities may play a part in how we process and manage stressful life events.
• Medical conditions. Some health issues can trigger depression. These include cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, lupus, stroke, dementia, or HIV. Drugs used to manage health conditions can cause the side effect of depression as well.
• Stressful life events. Trauma, abuse, the sudden loss of a loved one, divorce, or a job loss can trigger a depressive disorder.

How to Manage Depression

When you begin to ponder, “Am I depressed or lazy?” this shows you are rightly concerned about your mental health. The first stop should be your doctor, just to rule out any health problem that could cause the depression symptoms. If there are none, then a mental health expert is in order.

Here are the treatment elements employed to manage the symptoms of depression:

Antidepressants. Antidepressants take 4-6 weeks to reduce the depression symptoms. It is common for a patient to trial a few drugs before finding the right fit.

Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is prescribed with the drugs to provide the patient a place to work through any contributing emotional issues. These might include grief and loss, a history of trauma or abuse, or relationship struggles. CBT is most effective in depression treatment.

Holistic actions. Holistic methods can enhance the clinical results by helping the patient achieve a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind. These include meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage, equine therapy, and art therapy.

When to Seek More Focused Treatment for Depression

There are some signs of a more severe state of depression that require a more intensive treatment approach. When these signs are present, you or your loved one will benefit from a residential mental health program:

• Extreme fatigue. When you feel like you have no energy at all, it could be that extreme inertia has taken hold. our ability to function is impaired.
• Changes in eating habits and weight. A sudden change in weight is a sign of depression and should be followed upon.
• Loss of interest in life. A sense of despair or hopelessness can make the person not want to participate in life any longer. They may isolate or avoid social settings.
• Increased substance abuse. Increased substance use is a common way to self-medicate the symptoms of depression.
• Suicidal ideation. Thoughts of suicide or threats of suicide are red flag warnings that should never be ignored.

How to Improve Your Attitude While Depressed

If your depression is being managed but you still feel a lack of interest in life, you can combat that. Here are some tips to help you improve your state of mind when battling depression:

1. Set some small, attainable goals. Depression may leave you curled up in bed all day. Even the smallest tasks might seem daunting. But if you can set some small goals and see them through, it will make you feel better.
2. Take a brisk walk. Going out for a walk may not be very inviting, but go ahead and do it anyway. Science is very clear about the multitude of mental health benefits associated with physical activity.
3. Try positive self-talk. When we are depressed, nothing in life seems to look very promising. To combat a dour mindset, try practicing positive self-talk. Train your mind to focus on the positives.

If you have been worried, “Am I depressed or lazy?” you should have a much clearer picture of depression now. If you have the symptoms of depression, go ahead and reach out for some expert help today.

Mental Health Hope Offers Guidance for Depression Treatment Options

Mental Health Hope provides a free service to people in need of help for a mental health condition. If you are feeling depressed and have no energy, contact our team for some helpful guidance. Call (877) 967-9274 today.