Depression and Lack of Motivation

By Trisha Bartle Friday January 29, 2010

Lacking a bit of motivation sometimes is normal. We don’t always want to do the things we have to do. But when your lack of motivation starts to interfere with your every day life, this could be a sign of a serious problem.

Though sadness is the most recognizable symptom of depression, lack of motivation is also a sign that you might be going through a depressive period.

You may not know you’re depressed though. You could feel perfectly happy about yourself and your life, but you just can’t seem to bring yourself to do the things you have to or normally want to do.

Signs of Depression-Induced Motivation Problems

You don’t seem to want to do things that normally make you happy, such as watching a movie, reading a book or hanging out with friends.
Your lack of motivation gets so severe that your work, home or family gets threatened.
Others notice your lack of motivation and comment on it to you.
You go through many days, weeks or months in a row with no improvement in your motivation.

If your lack of motivation is this severe, you may be experiencing the symptoms of depression. In this case, it’s best to visit your primary physician to talk about what you’re going through. They’ll suggest a course of action from there.

Small Ways to Improve Your Motivation and Mood

There may be ways to bust through the depression on your own. Try these small acts if you don’t have a way to visit your doctor:

Any time you consider doing something and your inner voice tells you not to, killing your motivation, stop and think of something good. It could be anything. “I like the color pink” or “that flower is nice” may help.
Smile. Even if the smile seems forced, it will still improve your mood. Smile, and force yourself to think of positive thoughts. After a while, your real attitude will change and you won’t be pretending anymore.
Think of everything you like about the thing you’re avoiding. If it’s a project for school, think about all the ways that getting a good grade would improve your life. If you’re lacking the motivation to watch a movie you normally love, think of all the things you like about it and remember that it’ll only last an hour and a half.

For more information on lack of motivation and depression, read this article from WellSphere.