These 6 Signs Of 'Laziness' May Prove You Actually Just Need Support

Person struggling with exhaustionAuthor and psychologist Devon Price doesn’t just think “lazy” is a harsh term – in an interview with NPR, he said he doesn’t think the attribute really even exists. Instead, the expert suggests, the word is bandied about to shame people into prioritising productivity over health.Speaking to HuffPost UK, consultant psychologist and founder of London mental health clinic Nos Curare, Dr Bijal Chheda, said that so-called “laziness” really can be a sign of mental health issues and neurodivergence.She shared seven behaviours some may label “lazy” that might indicate you actually need more support:1) Struggling to get out of bed“For many people living with mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, just getting out of bed in the morning can feel impossible,” Dr Chheda said.“This is especially the case after high-energy periods where intense emotional highs are followed by a sudden crash that reflects physically.”During very high-activity spells, people with bipolar can push themselves far beyond their limits, the psychologist told us.“In these cases, exhaustion is so overwhelming it can feel physically paralysing, making even simple tasks feel impossible.” 2) Skipping basic self-care stepsMissing showers, not brushing your teeth, and wearing the same clothes for days can leave some people feeling “lazy.” But, Dr Chheda told us, “Neglecting personal hygiene or even basic self-maintenance tasks, such as eating regularly, can actually stem from feelings of numbness or hopelessness, symptoms often linked to major depressive disorder (MDD).”During these times, the brain shifts into survival mode, leaving your previous routine in the dust.“It’s not a lack of responsibility, but a sign that the mind is prioritising basic emotional survival over everyday functioning,” she shared. 3) Withdrawing from social occasionsCancelling plans, though impolite, can be a sign of overwhelm, says Dr Chheda. “To many neurodivergent individuals, especially on the autism spectrum, this can be a protective response to overstimulation,” she wrote.“This type of sensory overload is typically triggered by loud environments or unpredictable social dynamics, causing them to retreat from group settings for indefinite periods at a time. In these instances, even brief conversations or small talk can be extremely mentally taxing.”4) Procrastinating Sometimes, the psychologist explained, there’s a science behind why you keep putting that one task off. “Due to low dopamine levels (the hormone associated with motivation and reward), for example, individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often have difficulty with task initiation,” she told us.“Combined with time blindness (the inability to keep track of time) it makes it harder to gauge how long certain tasks will take.” 5) Decision fatigueIf the thought of choosing dinner one more time is enough to make you nope out of the meal altogether, Dr Chheda says that may be a red flag. “If someone’s default answers are ‘I don’t care’ or ‘you choose,’ they might not be indecisive or indifferent. In fact, they might just be mentally exhausted,” she advised. People living with generalised anxiety disorder or high-functioning depression may be especially more likely to show the sign, the expert continued.“While often appearing composed on the outside, their minds work in overdrive, internalising their issues. As such, the burden of making daily decisions while battling intrusive thoughts wears down the brain, making even the simplest choices feel debilitating.” 6) Not following through on your goals Not doing what you said you would can make you feel guilty, but sometimes it’s down to your dopamine, Dr Chheda said. “These patterns are... classic symptoms of emotional dysregulation caused by low dopamine levels, common in individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder and ADHD. This is why these two conditions are often misdiagnosed as one another.”Some with the condition can have weeks or months of intense, overactive motivation, followed by long, uninterrupted lulls.“The turbulence makes it difficult to maintain momentum, forcing them to leave goals unfinished, even ones they were once excited about,” the psychologist ended. Noticing one, more, or all of these signs does not definitely mean you are neurodivergent or have a mental health issue. But if your day-to-day life is affected by your mood, stress, or exhaustion, speak to a professional about how to address it.Help and support:Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email [email protected] Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.Related...Running Got Me Out Of The Worst Mental Health Dip Of My Life – Here's How I Started From ZeroThis Is How Optimism Can Help Your Physical And Mental HealthIt’s Not Social Media – What Teens Say Is Damaging Their Mental Health Most

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