Is It Normal to Stop Being Productive When You’re Depressed?

Is it normal to give up being productive in a depressive state?

Yes, it can be very difficult being productive when depressed. It takes great strength to push through the depression to be productive. Even finding a strong motivation can be difficult during depression.

Depression is like a vampire draining you of energy, motivation and clarity of thought. It is like a dark fog surrounding you and filling you.

When I was in clinical depression in the 1980s I had to hire a personal assistant to live in my home to take care of all the cleaning, cooking and other household duties. I had to give up being a psychotherapist during that period of my life but I had a recording studio. I had to work 1 week a month and made a great deal of money. Other than that all I wanted to do was to sleep and die. Even working 1 week a month was difficult but I did it anyway. Something deep inside me kept me going during that one week a month.

Once you overcome the depression you will be productive again.

The trick is to find the motivation, commitment and energy necessary to overcome the depression. Overcoming the depression must be your highest priority. You will need to find the resources within yourself to do this. Believe me, the energy you need is already within you. A good therapist can help you tap into it and to use it.

I have written a great deal about depression and how to overcome it. I have posted everything at this blog. You are most welcome to read more here and to work with the tools and lifestyle changes I have outlined. If at all possible, enlist the help of a good therapist. It will be much easier that way if you have the support you need. If you wish to work with me learn more about how to do so at this link.

Take care.

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If your question is too personal in nature or you would just rather not ask it in public you can contact me directly at reachout@lifesanswers.org.

If you wish to work with me directly to help and support you, you can read more about setting up private sessions here.

The book Freedom From Suffering works through this in depth. Freedom From Suffering — $7.95