In an interview with the HuffPost UK, the Dr. Bijal Chheda, a consulting psychologist and founder of the London clinic our curare, said that what is often considered to be laziness can actually be the sign of psychological disorders or neurodivergence. She thus highlighted seven behaviors commonly deemed “lazy”, but which could actually report a real need for support.
Difficulty getting up in the morning
According to Dr. Chheda, “Raising the bed in the morning can represent a real challenge for people with mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder “.” This phenomenon is particularly marked after phases of great emotional intensity, where episodes of euphoria are followed by a brutal fall that is felt physically “. She explains that during these periods of intense activity, the people concerned can go far beyond their capacities. Result: a state of exhaustion so deep that it can give the feeling of being nailed to bed, making the simplest gestures almost impossible to make.
Neglect basic personal care
Doing down shower, forgetting to brush your teeth or wear the same clothes for several days in a row can be perceived as laziness. Putting, as the Dre Chheda points out, “This type of negligence, whether hygiene or essential acts such as eating regularly, can be a reflection of a deep discomfort, often linked to a major depressive state “. In these situations, the brain is put in “survival” mode, relegating daily routines to the background.
According to her, “It is not a sign of irresponsibility, but rather an indication that the mind focuses on the most urgent emotional management, to the detriment of the usual functioning “.
Avoid social situations
Cancel outings, even if it seems rude, can translate a feeling of emotional overflow, explains the Dre Chheda. “”For many neurodivergenous people, especially on the autistic spectrum, it is a way to protect yourself from a overstimulation. “ “”Noisy environments or unpredictable interactions can push them to isolate themselves, sometimes for a long time. In these moments, even a simple conversation can be very mentally tiring “.
Give things back to later
The psychologist specifies that there is sometimes a scientific reason behind the tendency to procrastinate. “”A low dopamine rate, the hormone linked to motivation and the feeling of reward, often makes it difficult to start a task in people with attention deficit with hyperactivity (ADHD) “, she explains. “”This difficulty, combined with a bad perception of time, that is to say the inability to correctly estimate the duration of the activities, further complicates the management of the time necessary to accomplish certain tasks. “
Fatigue linked to decisions
Dr. Chheda explains that always saying “I don’t care” or “chosen” can reflect real mental fatigue, not just indecision. This decision -making fatigue is frequent in anxious or depressive people, whose brain is overloaded by invasive thoughts. Thus, even the simple choices become exhausting to manage.
Do not achieve your goals
DRE Chheda believes that not to do what is said to be linked to a low dopamine rate, often present in people with bipolar disorder or ADHD. These disorders cause high energy cycles followed by long periods of decline, making it difficult to pursue objectives. This can even lead to abandoning projects that fascinated us before. Recognizing these signs does not necessarily mean having a disorder, but if your mood or your fatigue disrupt your life, it is advisable to consult a specialist.