Depression or lazy habits

[mamabug3]

How can I tell if my sitting, and lack of desire, is depression or just bad habits?  My family says I am just lazy, but I am not sure.

[Paxiled]

Depression is essentially a bad habit writ large.  It's a way of thinking that becomes chronic.  I don't believe in laziness -- that's a term created by people to convince themselves they're better than other people.  If you're still breathing you're winning, and most of what people do in this world doesn't need doing, it's just an obsession to do something, anything.  The important thing, therefore, is if you're content with yourself, and if not, then you need to do something about it.  Rather than categorize yourself, I'd see a good talk therapist and see what you can learn about yourself and what you really want out of life and if you're getting it.

[thatquietgirl]

It sounds very much like it could be depression.  As far as things to do at home: journal about your life, your thoughts, your hopes, your dreams, how you got where you are.  Make it a goal to get out of bed just a little bit earlier each day.  Small increments.  Try five minutes earlier, and if that's too hard, maybe two minutes earlier.  Accept yourself where you're at (easier said than done, I do know).  Validate your feelings and emotions where others might not.  Try to go for a walk daily.  If you can, make it during your lunch break at work.  Sunlight is good for you and can help your mood.  Make it a goal to put one thing from a moving box--just one thing--away in its new home.  If you feel like two things or find yourself on a roll, go with it.  If one thing is too much, go with that as well, but try for one thing, just one thing.

If you find yourself taking one step forward and two steps back in this, don't be too hard on yourself.  It's not easy to get out of this rut depression puts you in.  It's your brain chemicals, not bad habits, not laziness.

Of course, I am not a medical professional beyond having an EMT license and having my pre-nursing out of the way and in no way can diagnose you.  I live with bipolar disorder and was depressed for years, so I can only make a guess when it comes to whether or not you are depressed based on what you have shared.  I would recommend seeking help if at all possible.  This doesn't mean you have to try meds if you don't want to, but a therapist or counselor would help.  If you go to church, many pastors offer counseling services and can help.  Of course, this doesn't work so well if it's a church that won't acknowledge mental illnesses as real (Been there, done that as a teenager).  

Being able to talk to someone who is a professional and therefore someone you know you can trust not to out your feelings and thoughts to others is a huge help.  Sometimes it's just the feeling you can open up to someone that helps.  Other times, they just have such good advice.  Each session will vary.  If you do decide to seek therapy, don't be scared off by a bad experience!  It can take a few bad eggs to find that gem of a therapist you click with and who understands and can help you.

Hope this helps!  Let me know if you have any questions.

[mamabug3]

Yes I have horrible memory loss, sometimes to the point that it affects my job. I am very scattered and disorganized.  I have great intentions, but horrible follow through.  I have moved, and cannot seem to get unpacked.  I basically sit "in my spot" on the couch and watch tv.  I go to the store and buy food with the thoughts of cooking good healthy meals for myself and my kids, and then sit an eat junk food and get take out.

I do not know how to get of this rut?  Again, is it depression or bad habits?

[thatquietgirl]

Your family can easily mistake depression for laziness.  The difference is something you will know.  Do you show any other symtoms?  Do you feel down?  Do you have memory issues?  etc., etc.?