When Depression Kills Your Motivation (And Why It’s Not Laziness)

Odile McKenzie, LCSW
Jan 13
2 min read

Living in New York City can make it feel like everyone else is keeping up, while you’re

sadness. depression. woman sitting by the window.

struggling just to get through the day. For many Gen Z and Millennial adults, depression doesn’t always look like constant sadness. It often shows up as low motivation, mental fog, exhaustion, and feeling stuck, even when you want to move forward. In a city that glorifies productivity and hustle, it’s easy to assume something is wrong with you when, in reality, depression is affecting how your brain works.

👉 Looking for therapy in NYC? Book a consultation today.

Why Depression Makes Everything Feel Harder

Depression isn’t a lack of willpower. It impacts the parts of the brain responsible for energy, reward, focus, and motivation.

You might notice:

things you used to enjoy don’t feel rewarding anymore
starting tasks feels overwhelming
your energy disappears even after resting
small decisions feel exhausting

This isn’t you “falling off.” It’s a real mental health condition affecting your nervous system and brain chemistry.

The Motivation Myth (And Why It Keeps You Stuck)

You’ve probably heard:

“Just push through it”
“Start small”
“Motivation comes after action”

While well-intentioned, this advice often backfires when depression is present. Forcing productivity without support can increase shame, burnout, and self-criticism—especially for high-functioning people who are used to holding it together.

Depression doesn’t need pressure.It needs support.

How Medication Can Help With Motivation

For some people, medication doesn’t magically create motivation; it removes the weight blocking it.

Antidepressants can help regulate brain chemicals involved in mood, focus, and reward. When medication is a good fit, people often notice:

clearer thinking
reduced emotional heaviness
slightly more energy or initiation
less rumination and self-blame

Medication doesn’t change who you are. It helps your brain access the version of you that depression has been suppressing.

Let’s Clear Up Some Medication Myths

“Needing medication means I failed.”

No—it means you’re responding to a medical condition with care.

“I’ll be numb or not myself.”

The goal is relief, not emotional flatness. Adjustments are always possible.

“I’ll be on it forever.”

Not necessarily. Many people use medication temporarily while building other supports.

Why Therapy Still Matters (With or Without Medication)

Medication can help stabilize symptoms, but therapy helps you heal.

In therapy, you can:

unpack shame around productivity and self-worth
understand how depression shaped your patterns
rebuild motivation in a sustainable way
learn to relate to yourself with compassion instead of pressure

For many people, therapy + medication together leads to better, longer-lasting outcomes.

Therapy for Depression in NYC & Across NY & NJ State

At Odile Psychotherapy Service, we offer therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, and low motivation for Gen Z and Millennials in NYC, with teletherapy available across New York State and New Jersey.