How Can I Tell Whether I am Depressed or Just Lazy and Unmotivated?
Question: How can a person tell whether they are depressed or just lazy, unmotivated or lacking in willpower?
My Commentary:
Extreme lack of motivation, inability to focus on priority tasks, sudden burst of enthusiasm, social ineptitude and loneliness could be symptoms of a mild type of bipolar disorder known as hypomania. This often comes with mild mood swings as well as mind depressive episodes:
If it is hypomania, you may experience contrasting swings in mood, ranging from periods of overactive and excited behaviour known as ‘mania’ or ‘manic episodes’ to depressive episodes. You may have stable times between these highs and lows.
Depressive episodes could generate symptoms such as:
- lack of concentration
- forgetfulness
- a sense of hopelessness
- feeling emotionally empty
- chronic fatigue
- difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- weight loss or gain
- changes in appetite
- loss of interest in daily life
- suicidal feelings.
The best way to start is to see your GP to have a correct diagnosis for suitable treatment and support.
Having said that, what you are going through could simply be a phase of discouragements and disappointments that sometimes happens to many people as a result of life challenges. However, if the symptoms persist, try and see your doctor to ascertain the situation.
In the meantime, there are things you can start doing to alter your mindset for wellbeing and positive energy so as to lift your mood and raise your consciousness to a higher level of motivation, focus and productivity.
Here are some articles to help you in this regard:
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