[shamon86]

I'm pretty sure I've asked this question before, but how do you know the difference between depression and laziness?
My apartment is a mess and I can still mange that small stuff like washing clothes and dishes, which is not that hard considering a machine does it for me; but I've still got boxes from when I moved here 2 years ago. I want to have friends and people to talk to. I want to feel like I have my life together and have fun and have a family, especially since I'll be 30 in August. But I don't want to do anything to get there. The only thing I do once a week is see my T. I've told bed now I feel to which she responds "then what are you doing here?". Which is a valid question. I know that just going to therapy isn't going to change my situation, I have to. It all seems so hard. And now I'm just making excuses. This is the constant battle that happens in my head 24/7. So when does depression turn into laziness?

[Clara22]

Hi
I do not know what laziness is, really. But I think laziness may entail the habit of doing nothing while you can do something. But when you have depression, depression does not allow you doing stuff, and it comes with additional symptoms, for example you lose interest in things you used to care about before, etc

[adam_k]

I think the breaking point is when you have a choice. Often when I get depressed I just can't do somethings. I want to but it is just too much to handle. There has been some times when I didn't clean the house for a week or I let the grass get almost to my knees.

If there is something like trying to make a new friend but you don't put the effort in because dealing with people feels like sand paper then it more likely depression than laziness.

[Ceara1010]

Depression isn't "laziness." Depression is an illness.

However, some people don't want to do what they need to get better. But the fact that you posted about this is a sign you want to understand why you may be stuck, and that's proactive, not lazy. It's a tiny step, but it is a step.

As for me, I know that the only way it's going to happen is with lots of little steps because I've been stuck for a long time, myself. Part of that is that I had a crummy T who hasn't helped me. But it's also because I haven't known what to do to get unstuck.

Finding this forum here this week, and posting is my first step in a long time. And I know the more little steps I take, the easier it will become to be proactive in my recovery.

--Ceara1010