What's the difference between depression and boredom?

[bartelby]

One of the main symptoms of depression can be expressed as “I don’t feel like doing anything.” which can be similar to boredom in a way. But when a person is bored, he/she should find something that interest him/her. And that person is possibly able to find a way to end boredom easily.

In depression, the symptom that is similar to boredom is called “aversion”. “Aversion usually appears as procrastination. The interest in things normally done as a result of responsibility decreases. For instance, the patient does not want to go to work, even if he goes, he struggles. A student never feels easy to prepare for exams. He stares at the book for hours without reading. Aversion is a main symptom of depression. The person doesn’t feel like doing anything at all. In severe depression, it might become impossible to leave the bed. After a while, interest in pleasant things disappears. If a friend calls, you just make up an excuse and stay at home instead of doing anything. You don’t even feel the need to check the results of the football games that you used to watch every week. People who normally spent hours in front of mirror before leaving the house turns into a homebody. They say that they feel older.
In severe depression, aversion becomes excessive. The patient may not leave the bed for days. Even if one wakes up early, he or she prefers to stay in the bed and wants to stay like that forever. Doesn’t watch TV, doesn’t read, doesn’t talk and doesn’t eat if someone else doesn’t prepare the food. In more serious cases, patient may even feel impossible to go to the bathroom."

https://mydepressiontreatment.com/

[keeponkeepingon]

Someone might be "bored to death", but I don't think being bored drives you to suicidal thoughts - that's probs the difference.

[eblclinic]

Depression:- Depression is a mental disorder characterized by low mood. It is the constant state of being unhappy. It is characterized by irregular sleep patterns, feelings of worthlessness and sometimes, false beliefs and paranoia.

Boredom:- Boredom is simply a state of mind in which the individual is not mentally stimulated by his/her surroundings. This leaves them unmotivated to do any work.

The major difference between Depression and Boredom is that "Depression" is a mental disorder characterized by continuous low mood. "Boredom" is when a person is not mentally stimulated by his surrounding.

[MissCandyGirl]

I read this thread with interest. Because years ago, I would often lie in bed, unable to get up. I wondered if it was depression or just being lazy/bored. So I saw the doctor and told her. They realized it was - in fact - depression. Because I am now much better. I know this because I am much more motivated to do things and I make the effort to get out of bed and to go to work.

It can be easy to confuse boredom with depression: it is never clear cut. But I'd advise anyone lacking motivation - when they're normally active - to go to their doctor and find out if it isn't boredom but depression.

Depression can be treated: and I am proof of that.

[Prycejosh1987]

Mentality. Everyone gets bored, even the happy people. But depression is a mindset. Boredom is a feeling.

[MissCandyGirl]

There IS a way to tell the difference between depression and boredom. But if a person is usually active, it is important they find out the difference. Because depression can be mistaken for boredom or laziness.

Because of this it IS best to talk to a doctor. She/he will ask questions to determine a diagnosis. On the otherhand, it could well be boredom a person feels. But only the person themselves can answer that question. Again, though, if a person is usually active and busy, then depression would be a possible diagnosis.

[grindwalter]

The two are almost nothing alike. Boredom is not a mental illness like depression. It’s just not being entertained. Depression is an actually illness of the body and needs medical treatments and psychotherapy.

[MissCandyGirl]

You're right, grindwalter.

[Abigail Wenderson]

Boredom is the feeling of being restless, unsatisfied, or not finding anything interesting whereas Depression is an intense condition in which someone feels severe sadness, hopelessness, fatigue which affects their daily life.
Depression directly affects the mental health of a person. Boredom can be an indicator of depression or it can trigger depression because a bored person can think negatively and worthless that leads to depression.

[isabellsophie]

Depression and boredom, though markedly different from each other, maybe somewhat similar. When you're simply bored, you ought to stop jumping to conclusions about being sad. But you need to take the signs of depression seriously at the same time, and not shove them off as boredom.
Let's say that you've been feeling bored all day while working, but you can get excited again by going to a party at night. You will, of course, get bored again while working the next day. But, to be clinically diagnosed, depression needs to last for longer than 2 weeks, on an ongoing basis. With a change in events, it does not go anywhere.

By trying out new stuff, boredom can be cured. To get rid of boredom, you can make a change to your lifestyle, job, or try out new hobbies. But, depression is an uncomfortable feeling that, no matter what you do, will make you feel out of place.
For depression, psychotherapy helps. Psychotherapies based on people and families both have good effects. Sometimes, for depression, drugs are also prescribed.