Among others, lack of motivation, lack of interest, and lack of energy are symptoms of depression. While laziness refers to an avoidance of completion of a task, or avoidance of effort, depression is a larger mental health condition that may get in the way of one’s ability to complete a task. Depression is not the same as laziness, and is a mental disorder with a biological basis.
A person struggling with depression may appear–to one who does not fully understand the condition–as lazy, but there are key differences between the two. When an individual is experiencing Major Depressive Disorder or a depressive episode, he or she may be lacking serotonin or dopamine, causing a lack of energy, a lack of focus, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Depression may make it more difficult for someone to complete tasks that seem simple to an outsider. Someone struggling with depression may be more likely to fall into procrastination or isolation, due to low energy.
However, if you or a loved one are struggling with depression, there are ways to manage and treat the condition with the help of a mental health professional. By incorporating wellness strategies, alongside psychotherapy and psychiatric care, professional help can make daily life easier.
Fatigue, or a feeling of exhaustion, is a common symptom of depression. Coupled with sleep disturbances that commonly occur alongside depression, fatigue can have a lasting effect. Symptoms of fatigue can affect physical, cognitive, and emotional function, impair school and work performance, disturb social and family relationships, lower physical activity and energy levels, and increase healthcare utilization.1 This loss of energy can also increase emotional disturbances, and may have an impact on physical health, in addition to making it more difficult to complete daily tasks.
In order to overcome fatigue, it’s important to incorporate physical activity into your daily life, as well as to get better sleep on a regular schedule. Managing stress with daily activities like meditation, yoga and breathwork can also help increase dopamine, counteracting fatigue. There are also several alternative pharmacological strategies to treat fatigue in depression.2 If you are looking for treatment for depression, depression fatigue, or other related conditions, reach out to AMFM Mental Health Today.
The average adult should be getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, while adolescents and young adults require 8 to 10 hours.3 It’s estimated that about 75% of depressed patients have insomnia symptoms, and hypersomnia is present in about 40% of young depressed adults and 10% of older patients, with a preponderance in females.4 Other epidemiological studies have pointed out that insomnia in nondepressed subjects is a risk factor for later development of depression.5 Insomnia does not precede depression in all cases, and nor do findings of recent studies prove causal relationships between insomnia and depression. Further evidence suggests that both depression and depression treatment can induce sleep disturbances.6
By adjusting sleep patterns, regulating and increasing dopamine levels with daily activities and self-care, you can begin to combat the tiredness that comes along with depression fatigue. If you are struggling with depression, you may be experiencing any of the following sleep problems:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Clinical Depression is a mood disorder that is known for causing feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and a range of other emotional and physical symptoms. Symptoms of depression can affect your daily routine, relationships, and overall quality of life. Mental health treatment, through a combination of psychiatry and therapeutic care, can help you to manage these symptoms over time, increasing the quality of life.
Major Depression can affect individuals of varying ages and other demographics. Causes of depression can vary, including genetics, self-esteem, experiences you’ve had in life, and a chemical imbalance within your brain. Depression therapy can help you in overcoming depression and may include the use of depression medications and holistic therapies.
According to the DSM-5, there are nine criteria to diagnose depression, and an individual must express at least five of the following:
Depression can present differently among those experiencing depressive symptoms. There are several types of depressive disorders, each of which have their own features and recommended treatments. While this is not an exhaustive list of the types of depression, it does highlight some of the most common:
There are a variety of different antidepressant medications that have been proven as effective treatment (in combination with psychological treatment) for depression. Some types of antidepressants are listed here, but inquire with a licensed medical professional or psychiatrist for detailed information on different treatments. Never take psychiatric medication unless it is prescribed to you, and be sure to consult with healthcare professionals in case of external risk factors.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are antidepressant medications that treat different neurotransmitters in order to block the reabsorption of serotonin or norepinephrine, keeping more of the chemicals in the synaptic cleft. However, both SSRIs and SNRIs have been known to impact fatigue and energy levels, and antidepressants may have fatigue listed as a side effect. Both are effective treatments for depression, but depend upon the individual, and should be approached with medical guidance and professional advice. Click here to learn more about the importance of medication management.
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Depression can affect individuals differently, which often requires individualized treatment. There are a variety of depression treatment options that can be used to address the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of this condition. Some of the most common approaches used in treatment plans include:
Couples and family therapy may be used when a loved one’s depressive symptoms are affecting others. This can increase everyone’s understanding of depression and talk about how to support each other. Couples and family therapy sessions can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another.
Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, that your peers are also walking through these challenges, while also providing guidance, suggestions and communications from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help you change your cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow coping mechanisms that may no longer be serving you.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.
The AMFM Mental Health Treatment admissions and mental health intake process begins with an initial contact; you’ll reach out to our facility to express your interest in treatment. This step allows us to gather information about your situation, look into your insurance plans (when applicable and confidentially), and discuss your needs. You can call us directly at (866) 478-4383 or use our online form below to start this process.
Once we receive your initial information and are sure you meet the admission criteria, you’ll be scheduled for a comprehensive clinical assessment. This assessment includes interviews with our intake specialists, where you’ll discuss your mental health history, current symptoms, and any other issues. Our goal is to understand your circumstances so we can tailor the treatment plan to best support your recovery.
After the pre-treatment assessment, our team will review your information and design a personalized treatment plan. We’ll discuss this plan with you, covering the types of therapies and support services available. For those seeking inpatient treatment, you’ll also receive information about what to expect during your stay, including daily routines, treatment schedules, and any preparatory steps you need to take.
Finally, we’ll handle the administrative details to finalize your admission. This includes arranging your arrival (in the case of residential programming), completing any necessary paperwork, and preparing you for the start of your mental health treatment. Our team will be there to guide you each step of the way, ensuring a smooth transition into your treatment program.
Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.
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If you’re noticing persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, trouble concentrating, sleep changes, or feelings like worthlessness—especially when you want to function but feel unable to—those patterns can be signs of depression rather than laziness. We can help you sort through what you’re experiencing with a clinical assessment and next-step recommendations.
Yes. Fatigue is a common depression symptom, and sleep issues like insomnia or oversleeping can also occur. When sleep and energy are disrupted, daily life can feel much harder—supportive routines and professional treatment can make a meaningful difference.
We provide individualized depression care that may include psychiatric support and medication management, plus evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, group therapy, and family therapy. We also offer multiple levels of care, including residential treatment, PHP, and IOP, depending on clinical needs.
We accept most major insurance providers and can help check your coverage. If we aren’t the right fit for your needs, we’ll assist you in finding a provider who can help.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental illnesses beyond depression through evidence-based therapies, including but not limited to the following:
Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide cohesive treatment plans to help you or your loved one as you move forward.
