When Depression Causes a Lack of Motivation

Sorry for the mistakes but can't find an edit button :)

That's a really good idea. Small steps and all that.

Frankie, I appreciate your comment so much. Everyone reading this article and replying has something in common--we're all experiencing some form of mental/emotional distress, and we're all on the computer reading about it! I must say, computer usage can contribute to depression, anxiety, etc. The internet is endless, and in using it we can forget our bodies. Reconnecting with our bodies can help spark our minds and emotions to shift, repair, spark again. I often feel the anxiety around things I'm supposed to do, and just can't do. I'm learning that it's okay to lie on the couch during the day sometimes, just rest, making it very comfortable for myself with a blanket, a mug of tea, looking out the window. I don't ask myself to do more. I tell myself it's okay. I comfort myself by saying, "I love you". Try this if you can. You don't have to feel it, or even believe it when you start saying it. But you can start saying this as a replacement for what Buddhists call "the second arrow"--all the negative judgements we levy against ourselves when we're already feeling badly. A little time in nature, or with an animal can help, too. Sit by a tree. Look at the details of a flower. You don't have to feel anything. You're not "doing life wrong" if you don't feel anything sometimes. Then, when you feel motivated to do a little something, anything at all, like Frankie says above just do one thing. You'll begin to get out of your mind and see that you can do more things. It doesn't mean you'll never feel badly again, or have to restart like this from time to time, but it can really help.

Thank you, Frankie!
This idea of pulling just one weed, washing one plate, sock hit me. My hubby died suddenly 14 months ago and then we got the Pandemic. Double grief! If you care to write me skyybook@aol.com ....it would be good to share progress and hope. Sky

If you're not feeling like yourself and are feeling apathetic then there's still an underlying problem. Talk to someone about it, the world is full of people looking to help.

It’s harder for people with mental illness to be happy (I have BPD, anxiety, depression, ADD, and trichotillomania), and the truth is that jobs can be soul-sucking and unpleasant circumstances can make things much harder. Society, illness, and being human tend to keep us thinking that if we were in a different place, different job, or had x, y, or z, then we would be able to be happy and do better. However, my favorite quote is this one: “There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.” I’ve learned that, somewhat paradoxically, it’s usually only when we accept the “bad” and find peace / happiness within ourselves that we become able to change our lives and what’s around us. I know that seems like nonesense, but trust me, I’ve been through some atrociously horrible stuff, and this is still what I have found to be true. Take care ???

That's very interesting. I never thought of it like that.

Wow... I will need to rethink my strategy!!! Great thought.

No I don't think so. I never lacked motivation till I got a divorce. Depression causes me to not want to do anything.

Necessary versus Sufficient Condition. This would only work if a lack of motivation is all that depression did. It would be like saying, Coughing is what gave you the cold. If you look hard enough you will find people with depression who are motivated, not always for good and productive things, but then not always for the opposite either.

I find that depression causes the lack of motivation, but it can definitely become a “vicious cycle”, since a consistent lack of motivation can lead to things being undone consistently, and that (for me at least) leads to deeper depression.

Yes, if i had motivation to get out of bed n do things i would't be depressed that i didn't get things done, again

I haven’t seen negative comments on here yet (since I just found this site), but I wholeheartedly agree that they should be kept from being posted. I can really relate as someone with not only depression, but BPD - BPD sufferers are often easily affected by negativity, and even on the more “positive” blogs / sites / articles, the sheer amount of hateful and destructive comments about people with BPD is disgusting, overwhelming, and disheartening. We need to have places to learn and discuss mental illnesses that aren’t dangerous for us!

Ty,
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Reading your post has made it just a little easier to cope.

I can relate to how you are feeling and why. I was born with cp abd teased relenttlessly. I overcame that and the fact that my mother hated me. I dont remember a day without pain since about age 17. In 2002 I was in an accident which caused alot of damage ti my spine, neck, hips, etc. and in 2009 i got two spinal reconstructive surgeries i was put on disability in 2013. since then i have become more and more reclusive. much more likely to not leave my house for weeks at a time. i want ti do things, like i used to, i just cant. im nit living, im surviving

Please also get some testing for Adrenal fatigue, regular doctors don't always recognize it unless it's extreme but it's very real! Naturopathic doctors like mine do testing for cortisol, and Adrenal function usually caused by long term stress. Depression is only one of many symptoms as one depleted organ affects another to keep taking nutrients they need to keep body in some form of stability. Look it up, affects more women than men but men too can have Adrenal Fatigue or Adrenal insufficiency as it's also known. Dr. Wilson and Dr. Lam both have good websites to explain it, but because it affects so many functions in your body, eg. Thyroid, metabolism (of nutrients especially), mood, hormones etc. hard to giagnose and dr's attribute symptoms to other things...aging, depression, here's a pill...but once you get body back in balance (can take a while as it took a while to get depleted) you will gradually feel much better! Hope this makes sense as I can't see what I'm writing only current few words!) I am 2yrs in on this journey, now feel much more alive, as felt I was dying from the inside out! Now fighting residual mild depression and no motivation, mood low etc. Found I'm low in my B vitamins and Vitamin D very low, and other stuff. I also had gut issues from stress, which contributed to malabsorption of nutrients even though I was eating healthy! Sorry to ramble on, hope this helps someone out there. I'm still seeing Naturopath, better than my useless insensitive GP! Taking specializes supplements, and doing blood work to gauge progress. Found hair analysis very helpful too, though bit pricey, gave me a window into minerals low in, heavy metals high in etc., can all contribute to depression and energy. Good luck to all! Again sorry I'm on iPad mini and pecking this out letter by letter lol! Get well!

You have got to be kidding... Depression is a serious deal, just because you don't experience it doesn't mean you should belittle the people who do.
And fyi, mostly even severely depressed people WANT to be helpful but it is a situation that quite literally saps a person's strength to do so. In many cases, when a depressed person causes a problem or makes a mistake in public or at work, they do everything they possibly can to make it right in order not to feel more depressed and like a total failure.
Depression also doesn't just happen. Something, whether it is simply being alone for too long and not being able to trust people, or whether it is something drastic like losing family members or finding out your spouse is cheating on you right after you find out you have cancer....
Posting BS like this just makes things worse, you should be ashamed!

It's pathetic that you have to get online anonymously to make fun of others for feeling a certain way. You obviously ARE VERY ill mentally due to the fact that you're making fun of people who truly feel the depths of depression. Next time you have something negative to say about how others feel, just don't.

You are seriously misinformed. Depression is an illness, not a character flaw. The brain is an organ just like the liver, heart and lungs. It can become ill and cease to function properly. Do you blame someone for getting Alzheimers or a brain tumor? Extensive research has shown that chemical imbalances involving neurotransmitters are a major factor in depression. This can severely affect someone's perception and behavior. I believe people are responsible for their choices, but in the case of depression one cannot simply "choose" to not have symptoms any more than a diabetic can lower their blood suagar just by willing it. The best choice a depressed person can make is to seek medical treatment and emotional support. Unfortunately many do not because of the social stigma associated with mental illness. They are afraid of the judgement that often results from admitting that they have one. I don't doubt that there are some lazy people out there who claim depression as an excuse for their behavior. But to assume that all depressed people are lazy and irresposible is not only wrong, it's cruel and insensitive. They have a serious and sometimes even life threatening illness and are as deserving of support and compassion as anyone else in that situation.
Sorry this got so long but it hit a nerve with me. I have had depression during my life and have known others who did as well. None of us wanted to feel how we felt. We weren't making excuses or seeking attention. It's like being lost in a dark tangled forest and not seeing any way out. My mother-in-law criticized me and accused me of being "lazy" and "no good" for her son. I was already feeling worthless and her scorn almost drove me over the edge to suicide. Thankfully for me, my husband was supportive and I got help and recovered. Not everyone is so blessed. So I implore you to be a part of the solution and not the problem. Learn about an illness and have the facts before you disparage someone and cause unintentional harm.