Getty/AnnaStills Procrastination could be a symptom of a mental illness
If you feel like "I do not want to do anything with my life," or "I do not want to do anything anymore," - the first thing you need to ask yourself is why. Do you feel like you don't want to do anything because of recent upheaval in your life? Or have you been feeling this way for some time, and you're wondering if the feeling could be an indicator of a deeper issue?
If you have felt a lack of excitement or desire to engage in activities that used to make you feel happy and fulfilled, that could be a symptom of depression. In this article, we talk about depression symptoms and other reasons potentially leading you to feel like you don't want to do anything anymore. If these feelings have been causing you distress, know that you’re not alone, and it is possible to feel motivated again with the support of an online therapist.
Lack of motivation and energy are symptoms of depression When you get to the point where you feel "I do not want to do anything with my life," and you feel hopeless about your future, this could be a sign of depression. With over 21 million adults in the US experiencing a depressive episode at some point in their life, it is safe to say you're not alone.
So, what's driving the high number of adults who experience depression? Is it that everyday life has become too stressful for us all at once, or is it due to an increase in mental health awareness ?
While there is likely a combination of reasons as to why more people report experiencing depression, it’s clear that it is a major issue in the US for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Depression has no age preference. One of the most common symptoms of depression is a lack of energy or losing the desire to do things that are used to bring you joy . It is common for someone to feel down from time to time. However, when the reason you feel you don't want to do anything is because you're coping with depression, it can feel like every day is a bad day.
Depression can cause people to feel like they don't want to do anything, they’re too tired, they’re out of energy, or they can barely get out of bed. Yet, they have a job, a family, and a life to tend to that may start to feel overwhelming. This is especially true for people who are considered as the "head of household " or "breadwinner."
What are other symptoms of depression? While feeling down and low on energy is a symptom of depression, what you’re feeling could be as a result of something else. For this reason, it is important to consider the other common symptoms of depression. If some of these symptoms listed below describe how you feel or what you are going through, it may be more likely that you have depression:
Fatigue Sleep disruptions Difficulty concentration Feelings of worthlessness Irritability Changes in appetite Inexplicable, persistent aches and pains If depression is indeed what you are experiencing, know that it is important to receive a mental health diagnosis before embarking upon a course of treatment. While many people in the world will experience depression, it is one of the most treatable mental disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition). According to the American Psychological Association (APA), between 80-90% of people who seek treatment for depressive disorders will see their symptoms go away or significantly reduce over time.
How to find motivation when you don't want to do anything Though it can be challenging to motivate yourself to get better when you’re experiencing depression, there is a whole world of possibilities waiting for you. Some examples you can try at home include writing in a journal, exercising, making more time for fun, and joining a common interest group. Often, taking the first step to do something that feels “big” is the hardest part, and once we get back into a routine or pattern of activity and connection, we may feel reconnected with a sense of purpose or joy.
Reaching out to a loved one for support is a great first step, or finding a depression therapist who you feel that you can connect to for support. Though you may continue to experience a lack of motivation, having tools to combat symptoms of depression can be extremely helpful in regaining a sense of excitement about the world around you.
There are options for telehealth and online counseling that allow you to attend live sessions with a primary care physician or licensed mental health professional online. Your doctor or mental health professional may perform a depression screening to assess your needs and help you plan your next steps.
So, what now? It’s important to follow up on any follow-up, prescriptions, and care referrals that were given to you during your medical or behavioral health benefits. It’s possible that your provider will recommend a combination of medication and talk therapy to help you ease the symptoms of depression , regain your motivation, and apply new coping skills and life strategies that you've learned during your talk therapy sessions.
Talk therapy can help motivate you Have you considered meeting with an online therapist? When you enter online talk therapy, you're entering an environment that isn't much different from an in-office counseling appointment. Online therapy sessions comprise the same question-and-answer-based interaction that you have with an in-office provider. Your online therapist will ask you questions about your symptoms, how you've been feeling, and how you've been following up on your medication.
Following the recommendations that you and your therapist agree to when you make your treatment plan is likely to yield the best results. One of the most important things that you need to remember about therapy in any capacity is not to expect results overnight. It didn't take you one night to find yourself in a situation, and it won't take you one night to turn the situation around. Trust the process and know that you're doing the best thing for yourself and your family by taking part in mental health care services and following up with related self-care.
When you attend talk therapy sessions , you may have a set number of sessions with your therapist, depending on the severity of your condition. If your chronic mental health condition is more severe, you may require more sessions than someone with less severe symptoms. If your depression is running concurrently with another physical or mental illness or considered as being more severe, you may be given different suggestions on how to move forward.
How to get started with online therapy Getting started with online therapy can seem intimidating because it is a new experience. It’s also something you may feel you “need to do,” and you may struggle feeling motivated to look for a therapist. Online counseling platforms like MyTherapist can reduce that burden by matching you with a counselor experienced in your area of need, whether that’s overcoming symptoms of depression, grieving a loss, or struggling with social anxiety.
Another reason many people prefer online therapy is because of its flexibility – users can engage with their counselor via SMS messaging, video therapy, and chat. There’s no need to travel to an in-person therapist’s office and online counseling is often viewed as a more affordable alternative to in-person therapy .
Getty/PeopleImages Procrastination could be a symptom of a mental illness
Many studies have been conducted to see which treatments are most effective in mitigating the symptoms of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) continues to be affirmed as one of the most promising approaches; in this modality, therapists focus on helping clients identify negative thought patterns and behaviors in order to transform them into empowered, healthy coping mechanisms. Online CBT is just as effective as in-person therapy in reducing the symptoms of depression , in addition to mental illnesses like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Online sessions are intended to provide guidance, counseling, and support for non-emergency-related issues only. If your issue is an emergency, don't wait to see a therapist online or offline. Get help immediately by visiting your nearest emergency room. If you or someone in your immediate vicinity is in danger of imminent physical harm, call 911 or reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) for immediate support from a trained professional 24 hours a day.
Takeaway
If you have been feeling low on energy and motivation for quite some time, to the point that even your loved ones have reached out in concern, know that support is available. When you go online to a counseling platform like MyTherapist, you open yourself up to the possibility of learning more about yourself, anticipating situations that may prompt you to withdraw from social activity, and employing effective coping mechanisms that don’t drain you of a desire to live and connect with others. When you’re ready to start feeling excited and energetic about life again, reach out to a professional licensed counselor at MyTherapist.