Is there really any such thing as being lazy?

Question

My boyfriend thinks I am lazy because I don't do much around the house. I think it is because I am depressed, and I am on medication for this, but I am still depressed and some days find it hard to get out of bed.
I wonder if, 'laziness' can always be explained by emotional and/or pyschological difficutles, and if this is the case, then do we have th right to call people "lazy?"

Thanks for calling me dirty, Simon - that did not help. Guess who's answer is not going to be chosen?

Answer 1

Depression can cause a person to shut down mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Even if you don't feel good, however, maybe just getting up and taking a shower and going for a walk....do something little....may help lessen the power of this painful illness.

Also some people suffer from not being able to turn off the depression....no matter how much they desire, try and/or medicated. They feel they live with it all the time...even though they may have better days here and there.
It's callled dystymia or dysthymic disorder.

Look up University of Michigan Depression Center and check on
Dysthymic Disorder.



Are there truly lazy people out there in the world as in the negative sense?

Some just don't have as much get up and go as another, some may never have never had to try much to get what they wanted and are conditioned. Then they are some that are are just plain selfish. Let someone else do the job, take care of it.



Again regarding the depression.... It takes a lot of patience toward yourself, concern and support from others. Often it is hard to pray and rest correctly. Ask people to pray for you and encourage you as often as possible.

Guilt can make the problem worse than it already is. And it takes time to heal...there's not a quick fix....which can make it harder on the person suffering and those around them.

A person who is truly depressed doesn't want to be in that state. It's terrible. It's no picnic. Ask those who have walked in those shoes. They want to get well. Otherwise, after awhile they fight thoughts of not wanting to live...it is so debilitating....and strange....and eats up your life. And it's hard mentally and emotionally because it's an illness that cannot be seen like a break or a cut or surgery....many don't understand... which can put more pressure on the one fighting the illness.

God bless you. I do hope you get well. Try to do some things if you can...even if they are little. Try baby steps if you have to.
I wish you didn't have this illness and hopefully they'll find a cure for it or be able to greatly reduce your symptoms and causes.

Answer 2

Good question. I personally don't believe there is such a thing as laziness. People have all sorts of reasons for not doing things and they are all psychological.

As for your depression, remember that depression is basically bottled up anger. Counselling can help because it allows you to explore the issues that otherwise you cannot give a voice to. It can take a while and it isn't always pleasant or easy but it really does help. Speak to your doctor, in the UK many doctors surgeries offer free counselling (up to 12 sessions usually). Medication can help too, but it just deals with the symptoms not the underlying emotions. Reading about depression can help also, there are a lot of good self-help books out there.

When it comes to things like housework try to do a little bit at a time. This can help to get you going again, it is very hard to force yourself into a lot of activity when you are depressed and can make you feel worse.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Laziness is the lack of desire to act or work in general or to do an act or work that is expected of the person. In extreme cases, a generalized tendency to do nothing may verge on apathy and be a symptom of depression. What is considered laziness in any given instance, however, varies depending on cultural/societal context and magnitude, but it is generally considered a negative quality, as in sloth (see Seven deadly sins). Laziness can be considered an exaggeration of the natural instinct to do nothing that makes people get healthy rest. Laziness is usually associated with procrastination.

It has been argued that laziness is the source of many innovations that would have stemmed from the will to spare oneself a tiring job.

The expression "intellectual laziness" is frequently used to describe a tendency not to ask questions, and not to scratch too much behind the apparent, applying a kind of mental routine (availability heuristic) or just following the crowd (herd behavior).

Answer 4

Of course we have the right to call anyone we think lazy "lazy". I'm afraid I don't buy your excuse of depression for not doing housework. Perhaps you are not lazy, just dirty? Personally, nothing cures my blues better than a well-scrubbed kitchen floor and clean fridge, if only because I know I won't have to clean for at least 24 hours!
Why not lay off the anti-depressants, which may be making you feel worse, and attack that flat with a scrubbing brush and a cannister of Vim? You'll feel great after, I promise, a true feeling of achievement!
Good Luck,
Simon 2

Answer 5

Depression is a serious illness, and needs to be separated from laziness. Treat your depression 1st -- and your boyfriend seems to be abusing you by telling you are lazy if you really are in treatment for depression at this time. I'd question the relationship more if this is the case.

For myself, I define LAZINESS as a choice -- you choose to NOT do anything because you feel you have to do nothing and don't need to contribute anything and won't move or help anyone and just sit there and vegetate. This is NOT depression, this is just plain not wanting to do any work or help.

And yes, I did have a LAZY abusive ex-spouse. He not only did not help, but he damaged property, stole items, and abused -- which is definitely WRONG in many ways.

Answer 6

I just don't like housework. I think its because you have to do it over and over again. In a battle between a xword and a basinful of dishes, the xword wins everytime. I have the 'in a minute' syndrome. I suppose you'd have to call it lazy, I don't know. The things get done in the end but almost always under pressure.

Answer 7

Your medication could be partly to blame for the tired feeling. are you really very bored with you life the way it is??. We need to be happy to be motivated to do mundane chores around the house. If we have no purpose why bother??. Look at your life ,is it interesting?? can you make it better?. You need reasons to get up in the mornings, things to look forward to. If we do not have something to bring us a little joy each day we all feel down and tired, your whole body feels heavy and too much to drag about. look for something to bring you some joy and lighten that load. Hope you feel better soon,

Answer 8

if you think all the time that you are depressed, you will always be! i know a good medication for it ;) get off the bed and do some works around, keep yourself busy and you'll see how you will forget about the depression and how you will stop to be lazy. don't spent your money on stuppid medications that never helps...
and you'll see... everyone will stop to call you lazy ;)
good luck!

Answer 9

I think that what you are going through is not lazyness. Try to have some fresh air, make a habit of morning walks outdoors.Eat well balanced meals so your body get some nutrition in and your energy level will rise.

Have a mental attitude of " I can do it! " and then you can. Cheer up. Do not forget to live you life. God did not want you just endure your life, enjoy it. Find your purpose. You are not an accident. Jesus loves you!

Answer 10

Do some sports or involve in some extracurricular activity in some subject that you really like. I can assure you that this will help a lot. Is not a psychological thing only, when you do sports you produce serotonin and this reduce the depression.
Good luck.
Diego