Depression and laziness are vast topics to discuss; you may have read many articles on this topic, but let me simplify this discussion. Around us, so many people are facing depression and laziness. Over the past few years, depression has been spreading rapidly among people.
Depression may result from abuse or other forms of violence, the death of someone, or family problems, but now it’s also prevalent in teenagers. But on the other hand, laziness is not a disease; it’s a symptom of a disease, or sometimes it’s a choice.
It’s vital not to conflate the two ideas because laziness and depression are two entirely different medical conditions. Knowing the essential distinctions between laziness and depression will make it easier for you to obtain the support you require.
Depression
Depression is a psychological disorder. It is a momentum stage. Nearly 10% of the world’s population suffers from depression, a mood disorder that is increasing fast among teens and young adults.
Many people are dealing with depression, but only a few are aware of it. Depression can only be identified by one’s behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Depressed people mainly focus on the negativity surrounding them, which is dangerous and affects their mental well-being.
Depression doesn’t always have a clear trigger. Therefore, it is hard to find.
Depressed persons’ feelings change with time; sometimes, they feel sleepy all day and night, but sometimes they face insomnia. To understand depression, we need to talk about symptoms, and several factors, including environmental factors.
Types of Depression
Depression is a disorder that may lead to serious health problems. However, most people aren’t aware of the type of depression they are going through.
Here is the list of its forms so you may become clear before seeking medical advice or taking any medication.
1. MDD
It’s major depressive disorder, a form that has intense symptoms that can last longer. It interrupts daily life routines.
2. Bipolar Depression
Bipolar disorder patients experience manic and depressive mood swings regularly. They also experience symptoms of depression, including distress, sadness, or lack of energy.
3. Postpartum Depression
Primarily, mothers suffer from this type of depression. It occurs around birth, specifically during pregnancy or one year after having a baby. The “baby blues” are only one symptom that results in mild sadness, anxiety, or stress.
4. Persistent Depressive Disorder
Dysthymia is another word for this type of disorder. Its symptoms are less severe than major depression. However, it can have a period of two years or longer.
5. Premenstrual Disorder
It is found in females. Some women might experience related signs and symptoms days or weeks before their period starts.
6. Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression includes hallucinations delusions, and other depressive symptoms. Hallucinations mean people see, touch, and hear those things that don’t exist.
At the same time, delusions are those beliefs that aren’t reality-based. Therefore, people with all these symptoms and those around them may suffer greatly.
7. SAD
Seasonal depression, often known as SAD, typically begins in late fall or early winter. It often vanishes before the start of spring and summer.
Symptoms Related to Depression
- First, depression has symptoms related to how someone feels, which include a constant feeling of sadness, anger, guilt, or hopelessness.
- Secondly, behavioral symptoms; include isolation, lack of energy and motivation, poor concentration, insomnia, and significant changes in appetite.
- Thirdly, the feeling of sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness, and frustration over small matters.
- Finally, changes in thoughts include poor self-esteem, thoughts of suicide, and loss of interest; they think they don’t deserve anything better, everything is hopeless, and there is no point in doing anything to benefit themselves.
Factors Affecting Depression
Many factors significantly increase the risk of depression; it doesn’t have a single cause.
- Stress
- Poor physical health
- Living alone
- Genetics or family history
- Conflict
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Dealing with grief and loss
- Hormonal imbalance
Lifestyle Changing Factors
Physical health is an integral part of mental health; people who are not healthy are at an increased risk of mental illness, such as depression.
Some of the lifestyle-changing factors are as follows:
- Usage of drugs and alcohol
- Poor diet, including excess sugar or caffeine
- Overwork or poor sleep
- Lack of exercise
- Excessive use of smartphones and social media
- Childhood trauma
Environmental Factors
- Poverty and financial insecurities
- Housing and homelessness
- Education and lifelong earnings
- Employment
- Crime, violence, and safety issues
- Natural disasters
- Cultural and religious upbringing
Socio-Demographic Factor
Among all psychological disorders, depression is one of the most prevalent. It affects any person of any age group. It’s estimated that 10% to 15% of the world population experiences mental disorders.
According to research, most women are suffering from depression or have other mental illnesses. The World Health Organization estimated that 5% of men and 9% of women live with depression; nowadays, teenagers are also getting by it.
For young people aged 15 to 24, suicide is the third-leading cause of death; about 20% of teens experience depression before they reach adulthood. If we talk about a particular region or country, the United States is the most affected area by depression.
Treatment for Depression
Depression can be treated with proper medication, family or couple counseling, self-help strategies, meditation & relaxation, exercise, and psychotherapy.
The majority of depressed people find relief from their symptoms with medication and counseling. Medication can be prescribed by your primary care physician or psychiatrist to treat symptoms. But many depressed people also gain from consulting a psychiatric doctor, psychologist, or other mental health experts.
Laziness
Lazy people are not motivated but are perfectly happy not to do anything. Laziness is not a personality disorder or disease; it can be a symptom of a disease or a habit.
Due to laziness, people constantly ignore important things for later. Lack of motivation or not having enough energy to do something.
But once lazy people are placed in a suitable environment, they feel much more motivated. They don’t have any significant behavior alterations and are not affected by physical issues, but sometimes they feel fatigued and have insomnia.
Types of Laziness
- Physical Laziness
- Spiritual Laziness
- Mental Laziness
- Existential Laziness
Disclaimer: Existential laziness is closely related to depression.
Reason for Laziness
According to psychologists, a lazy person may reflect a lack of self-esteem, a lack of positive recognition by others, low self-confidence, and a lack of interest in the activity.
There could be a multitude of reasons, or it’s a personal choice to do nothing. These are some possible reasons for laziness. Lack of motivation is the primary reason for laziness. Sometimes, laziness can also happen due to lack of sleep or excessive workload.
It can occur due to some health issues or iron deficiency. If you do not eat or sleep properly, you experience low energy and aren’t motivated to do anything. If you are dehydrated, have an unhealthy or unbalanced diet, have poor lifestyle choices, or do no exercise that might be the reason for laziness.
An unambitious person with no specific goal in life, having fear of responsibilities, some distraction or exhausting issues having a dependent life with procrastination (when a person always postpones essential things) problems might be suffering from laziness.
How Do I Know I Am Lazy?
- Spend lots of time on social media
- Delay doing work and wait until the last minute
- You give yourself excuses
- You don’t set goals and plan for the future
- Low energy and motivation
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Difficulty in concentrating
How to Overcome Laziness?
- Firstly, don’t accept that you are perfect.
- Make your goals manageable.
- Use positive instead of negative self-talk.
- Create a plan for your work and do it for sure.
- Use your strength and motivate yourself.
- Do your task with a positive attitude.
Difference Between Depression and Laziness
Depression and laziness have many similarities; both can result in a lack of productivity. However, depression is a medical condition, but laziness is a habit of being lethargic. Depression and laziness have so many common factors and symptoms.
Depression vs. Laziness
| Depression | Laziness |
| Depression is the most common type of mental health condition. | Laziness is may a momentary stage, but it is not a psychological disorder. |
| Depression can happen as a reaction to sadness, violence, or stress. | It’s a matter of choice not to do a particular activity. |
| Depression is a mental illness; it’s not emotion. | Laziness is all about emotions. |
| It results in extreme fatigue, loss of sound power, irritability, restlessness, or agitated. | Lack of self-esteem, a lack of positive recognition by others. |
| An exaggerated feeling of guilt | Lack of discipline |
| Worthlessness | Uneasiness, wanting to do nothing, sitting alone |
| Difficulty thinking and concentrating, and making decisions | Poor self-confidence |
| Suicidal ideation | Lack of positive attitude |
| Depression is treated by psychopathy and proper medicine | Lack of healing’s purpose |
Conclusion
- Depression is a psychological disorder. Whereas laziness is often just a temporary state or habit.
- Depression changes how you think, feel, and act. Laziness, on the other hand, is just not feeling like doing things or being interested in stuff.
- Treatment for depression involves medication, counseling, self-help techniques, and lifestyle changes. Overcoming laziness may require setting goals, positive thinking, and planning tasks.
- Depression can be caused by stress, trauma, or genetics. In contrast, laziness may stem from a lack of motivation, low self-esteem, or unhealthy habits.
- Symptoms of depression include extreme tiredness, loss of interest, irritability, and suicidal thoughts. Laziness can look like waiting until the last minute to do things. And not sticking to plans. It can also be not wanting to do tasks you’re supposed to do.
- Seeking professional help is important for managing depression. Overcoming laziness might involve looking at yourself and making healthier habits.
- Understanding the differences between depression and laziness is very important. It helps you get the right help and support.
- Both depression and laziness can affect life a lot. But if you know about them and use the right strategies, you can handle them well and feel better.