Is it normal that i can't concentrate because i'm depressed?

I'm so depressed right now that I simply can't concentrate/get motivated. I am so supposed to be designing a piece for an exhibition that is in less than a week and I am not even done with the first piece ( I have to submit two pieces). It is like I WANT to fail. I mean obviously I don't but why else am I being so counter productive? I'm pretty sure I'm depressed. I have been depressed before so maybe I never really got over it? Who knows.

I hate myself for being this way I really do. I hate my job. I hate the fact that my career just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. ( I graduated from my design course 6 months ago and it was a waste of time). I really just wish I could give up. Sometimes I think I would rather be dead than have to deal with this for the rest of my life. The future looks hopeless. I can't do this anymore.

So is it normal for all of this to cause a complete lack of concentration?

Voting Results
88% Normal
Based on 95 votes (84 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • dappled

    Demotivation is a genuine symptom of depression. Many people who are depressed slide into it slowly and don't realise how down they are. I've struggled with it all my life and the best way to deal with it is small concerted efforts to keep yourself on the right track.

    I keep a number of plants around the house. If they start looking a bit ratty it's because I'm getting demotivated and am not watering them enough. At that point, I think about the things which will improve my mood (exercise, being social, planning a trip away, feeding the ducks, taking time out to be creative with either art or music, or just watching comedy).

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    • I'm terrible at looking after plants. I had one once and it lasted for a week, I'm not even kidding haha. I don't know if it had anything to do with being depressed or if I just over watered it. I should just buy a cactus next time :)

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      • dappled

        Have to admit, I'm not great with them either. I don't always follow my own advice. I also lie to myself - I've got fake plants dotted all over the house and every time I look at them and they look the same as ever, I think, hey, I must be doing okay. :)

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        • Yup that was my theory behind the cactus. Although, I would probably manage to kill that too! haha

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  • Shrunk

    oh yes, i am feeling the same too... i don't do my homework or study and i don't even care anymore... not because i am lazy cos normally i would care about my grades... all i can focus on now is drawing, so i can get lost in the creation of fantasies... life is hopeless... you just have to find something that you really like, and emerse yourself in the perfect world of it all... all i can enjoy is fictions, my life isn't even real anymore there's nothing to do about it but stay home and dream... but hope that one day these feelings will be gone, it will happen we just have to be patient...

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  • Karmasbitch

    Being depressed can make plenty of things difficult. Just brushing your teeth becomes a hassle. So when you say you aren't motivated and cannot concentrate due to your depression, makes sense and is normal for those with depression.

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  • Jraiderz

    The thing is I feel this way and am depressed because I was born with adrogynism, I am a straight guy but I have some feminine facial features. I get made fun of and some guys and girls question my sexuality. I am a regular guy, love sports, play sports, watch sports. and I am very athletic. But I have adrogyny so it has ruined my life. On top of that I have acne so i have no confidence whats so ever. So I ask if there is a lord? Why was I born like this? MAybe so I can suffer for no reason even tho I just wanna be a normal guy and look forward to starting a family if I could eve get a wife..

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  • Other09

    Not being able to concentrate is common in depression. I can sympathize with you because I am going through the same thing. But it's important to just do it! Force yourself to do things, even if it takes everything out of you.

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    • That's pretty much what I've been doing but to be honest, I don't think I can keep it up for the rest of my life...

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      • Other09

        I understand how you feel. I hope things get better for you.

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  • I love to draw too. I'm a Graphic Designer but at the moment it is impossible to be creative. It is a major inconvenience really. It wouldn't be nearly as unbearable if I didn't have anything important to do but I have a ton of stuff that needs to get done and it just isn't happening. I'm pretty sure that the work I am producing at the moment would be so better if I were happy/motivated and that just makes me even more frustrated/depressed.

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