There is a correlation between individuals struggling with depression and chronic procrastination.
People with depression will often struggle with a lack of motivation, fatigue, or self-doubt, which can impact the ability to meet deadlines, complete important tasks, or achieve short-term goals. In a recent study, procrastination was associated with worse subsequent mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress symptom levels), having disabling pain in the upper extremities, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (poor sleep quality and physical inactivity), and worse levels of psychosocial health factors (higher loneliness and more economic difficulties).1
Additionally, an individual living with depression may be engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors. By putting off important tasks, an individual may be faced with the negative consequences of their actions. Ruminating in self-doubt, saving tasks to the last minute, and feeling overwhelmed by time management can have a negative cyclical impact on one’s symptoms of depression.
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There are different factors that may be at play when an individual struggling with depression is working through procrastination behaviors.
Another layer to procrastination is the role of perfectionism. An individual may lean into procrastination behaviors out of a fear of failure–struggling to find the “right” way to complete a task, and instead not completing it at all out of that fear of failure. You or your loved one may be waiting for a “perfect moment” to complete a task, and instead, the to-do list will build up, and the moment may never come.
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 and improve well-being.
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.2 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.3 If you are looking for treatment for depression, depression fatigue, or other related conditions, reach out to AMFM Mental Health Today.
The general consensus has been that with an increased use of social media, comes low self-esteem, skewed body image, FOMO (fear of missing out), increased eating disorders and more.4 The issue is the misuse of social media, the comparison of one person’s highlight reel of his or her life, being internalized and compared to another young person’s perception of self. A person may appear to be perfectly “happy” on social media, while battling depression day in and day out.
According to one study, “Cultural trends contributing to an increase in mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors since the mid-2000s, including the rise of electronic communication and digital media and declines in sleep duration, may have had a larger impact on younger people, creating a cohort effect.”5 In another, more recent study, 5395 individuals “reported that use of Snapchat, Facebook, or TikTok were more likely to report increased levels of depressive symptoms on a later survey.”6
These days, social media sites have become increasingly entangled in our society and all social interactions. It would be difficult, and likely unrealistic, to remove them altogether. Even in the case of Linkedin, a professional social networking site, social media use is linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety.7 Research shows that for the sake of teen mental health, there need to be guidelines in place to ensure that social media is being used properly, rather than as a tool for self-harm, communities of common distorted self image, or self-harm.8 Community guidelines, mental health resources, and awareness campaigns are constructive to the proper use of social media. When using social media, keep in mind that appearances may not speak to a person’s truth and happiness.
The average adult should be getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, while adolescents and young adults require 8 to 10 hours.9 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.10 Other epidemiological studies have pointed out that insomnia in nondepressed subjects is a risk factor for later development of depression.11 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.12
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, and grow through self-compassion. 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.
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.
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 across negative emotions 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.
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 family members 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.
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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.
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.
Johansson F, Rozental A, Edlund K, Côté P, Sundberg T, Onell C, Rudman A, Skillgate E. Associations Between Procrastination and Subsequent Health Outcomes Among University Students in Sweden. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jan 3;6(1):e2249346. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.49346. PMID: 36598789; PMCID: PMC9857662.
Targum SD, Fava M. Fatigue as a residual symptom of depression. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2011 Oct;8(10):40-3. PMID: 22132370; PMCID: PMC3225130.
Nawaz FA, Riaz MMA, Banday NUA, Singh A, Arshad Z, Derby H, Sultan MA. Social media use among adolescents with eating disorders: a double-edged sword. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 9;15:1300182. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1300182. PMID: 38404474; PMCID: PMC10884122.
Twenge, J. M., Cooper, A. B., Joiner, T. E., Duffy, M. E., & Binau, S. G. (2019). Age, period, and cohort trends in mood disorder indicators and suicide-related outcomes in a nationally representative dataset, 2005–2017. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 128(3), 185–199. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000410
Perlis RH, Green J, Simonson M, Ognyanova K, Santillana M, Lin J, Quintana A, Chwe H, Druckman J, Lazer D, Baum MA, Della Volpe J. Association Between Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Nov 1;4(11):e2136113. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36113. PMID: 34812844; PMCID: PMC8611479.
Jones JR, Colditz JB, Shensa A, Sidani JE, Lin LY, Terry MA, Primack BA. Associations Between Internet-Based Professional Social Networking and Emotional Distress. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2016 Oct;19(10):601-608. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2016.0134. PMID: 27732077; PMCID: PMC5067824.
“How Sleep Works – How Much Sleep Is Enough?” NHLBI, 24 March 2022, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep. Accessed 15 May 2025.
Nutt D, Wilson S, Paterson L. Sleep disorders as core symptoms of depression. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(3):329-36. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2008.10.3/dnutt. PMID: 18979946; PMCID: PMC3181883.
Franzen PL, Buysse DJ. Sleep disturbances and depression: risk relationships for subsequent depression and therapeutic implications. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(4):473-81. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2008.10.4/plfranzen. PMID: 19170404; PMCID: PMC3108260.
