Depression VS Laziness - What's The Difference?

Have your parents or someone you know called you lazy? When in reality, you're just too depressed to do anything. But how do we tell the difference? After all, on the surface, depression and laziness can look very similar. Both conditions can result in the lack of productivity and a general inability to function through life’s challenges.

So, here are a few ways to tell the differences between depression vs laziness.

Disclaimer: This is a disclaimer that this video is for informative purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional if you are struggling.

Writer: Joshua Munoz
Script Editor: Caitlin McColl
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

REFERENCES:

[sinnamon-troll]

The best way I've heard this explained is: If you have depression\Executive dysfunction you actually WANT to do X thing on some level, feel bad about not doing it, but simply cannot force yourself to start. Lazy people can start whenever they want and feel no guilt or self blame for not doing the task.

[neptunem]

what i saw once that always stuck with me is that no one is simply lazy ‘for fun’. no one wants to fail or feel like a failure or disappointment which those feelings often arise when we are lazy. but there’s always a reason for someone being lazy. i truly don’t believe people are lazy just because. it doesn’t have to be a serious reason, maybe their simply tired that day, or it may be more serious such as depression or other mental illnesses.

[omnilawrence]

It’s weird I feel like I’m in the middle. I can be happy about life and still manage to get to work and hanging with friends but I also feel depressed and unmotivated to do anything else with my life. I’m always exhausted and overwhelmed by life but I still have moments where I feel like I could do anything.

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

What are the top 5 symptoms of depression?
5 Most common signs of depression
Persistent depressed (low) mood. It's natural to feel down from time to time.
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed. Sometimes we lose interest in things we used to love.
Feelings of worthlessness.
Poor concentration.
Thoughts of harming yourself.

[JonBrownSherman]

I guess the fact that I broke down crying while watching this at 3 am means this video must be right on at least a few things. Thank you for another great video!

[yomi]

I believe laziness and procrastination is a trauma response. More related to the freeze response of the dorsal vagal.

[cheesoodle]

I really love that you didn’t put a ross any shame towards people who may be lazy, you just stated simple facts like them having a lack of motivation and may need a better work environment.

You really put across the points so well in such a non-judgemental manner and it made me feel so much calmer when I watched the video so thank you <3

[JohnDiggle]

Poor concentration is the big one for me. Currently doing my final exams of the year and so far I have definitely failed 2 of them due to not being able to answer the questions. This is because of poor revision, but it's not that I didn't want to, I couldn't. I even started going to the library to make sure I do not get distracted when revising but after about an hour (while using pomodoro) I start to feel physically sick (slight nausea, headache etc) when revising to the point I have to just leave. I recently emailed my personal tutor about it and he told me to refer to the uni support stuff but it's such a hassle to navigate around it that I just gave up.

[chickennugget]

I always feel so worried that I’m just lazy, and even though I relate more to the depression side of these it still worries me. It’s so embarrassing to feel like this and have other people hear and know about it

[aishwaryasinghhhh]

I feel like my depression is coming back, i dealt with it for almost 2 years... There's a lot of pressure of studies, my mother is always saying shit like "u don't do anything, u r so lazy" etc... It breaks me

[KatarinaP]

I'm clinically depressed, been on AD therapy for 8yrs straight, I don't know how I would have managed some semblance of functional life without it. I'm still constantly sad, just know I need to stick around.

[lving_under_a_rock]

1. length of time 0:30

2 sense of control 1:20

3.chemical imbalance 2:15

4.excessive worry 3:07

5.physical health 3:47

hope this helped you guys !❤

EDIT : I 'm very sorry guys, I changed it now, enjoy the video . (psych2go, sorry for my mistake 🥺)

[greysonG]

I have severe anxiety and depression, been dealing with it since I was like 14. I'm 26 now and honestly tired of living like this, it's making it impossible to live my life. No motivation to do sh**, even though I want to. It's tearing everyone else in my fanily/life down, I've lost virtually all of my friends. And have no self-esteem. It's sad, because I was a pretty popular kid growing up who played sports, skateboarded/snowboarded almost daily, started working at like 12 and was super independent and outgoing. Now I'm a slug, living at my aunt's with no job. The last 3 years in particular have been tough, because I'm finally starting to feel the shame and humiliation of my life. Genuinely not positive I'll make it too much longer.

[Chibz]

It's still really hard for me to tell the difference if I'm not doing the dishes out of laziness or depression.

[cain]

Studying human emotions is like looking for a way out of an endless maze.

which can be concluded it is very strange and illogical.

[domh]

Struggle with both of these. Thanks for the video

[Castiel_Chuuya.irl.fr.]

Everyone calls me lazy.

Even when people try to motivate me with an award, I just feel like I will never achieve it.

My body just doesn’t want to do anything and my brain constantly tells me things such as: “you aren’t good enough”, “what if they hate you?”, “great, now they hate you more than they already did”, “look at yourself, you will never be a guy!”, “look, your emotions caused them happiness and you pain!”, “be glad that they are with someone better!”, “you were never good enough!” And many more.

I’m in a constant state of worry and panic.

I’ve been stalked by a classmate at our school dance, I’m really scared about going back to school tomorrow.

There is nothing I can do as I have no proof.

If he even touches me, I am going to smack him in the head so hard that he gets a concussion.

I’ve had enough emotional trauma causing physical effects such as uncontrollable impulses, twitching, and breakdowns during the day.

Even when doing things I used to love, I don’t feel a spark.

These feelings have been going on for about 5 years, is it depression?

[Lucky-vuhw]

0:17
"feeling down after a hard day"

**shows Nanami**

[gasparsanchez]

I have so much appreciation for this channel and especially when I am divinely guided. I was on a total different subject but this popped up and I am so grateful thank you

[joelmavity]

I’m both perpetually depressed and habitually lazy