Is Procrastination a Disorder?
The Truth You Need to Know About ‘Procrastination’
Is Procrastination a Disease?
Almost everyone has heard the term ‘procrastination’ these days. But it’s worth noting that the term is more of an internet buzzword than a medical diagnosis name.
Key Facts.
Procrastination is not a medical diagnosis
Just as people often say “I have obsessive-compulsive disorder” but don’t meet the criteria for a disease, most people who claim to have “procrastination” are actually just procrastinating, not suffering from a disease.
Real mental problems to watch out for
Certain mental illnesses (e.g., obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, anxiety disorders) can lead to severe procrastination. In such cases, treatment of the illness itself must be prioritized.
If procrastination has seriously affected your life, it is advisable to consult a psychiatrist first to rule out the underlying illness.
How to distinguish between real and fake procrastination?
Psychologist Timothy Pychyl states:
All procrastination (procrastination) is a postponement (delay), but not all postponement is procrastination.
True procrastination requires three conditions to be met simultaneously:
✅ Reduced efficiency
✅ Unnecessary
✅ Active postponement
Example.
True procrastination: knowing that the report must be completed tonight, you stay up all night swiping your cell phone resulting in staying up late to remedy the situation.
False procrastination: postponing work to the next day due to a sudden high fever (which is a reasonable adjustment).
Why are more and more people claiming to have procrastination?
Three core reasons:
- The special environment of modern society
Work results take a long time to show, lack of immediate sense of accomplishment
Internet entertainment (Facebook/INS/games) provides a convenient way of escape
The social evaluation system that overemphasizes results brings great pressure. - Misunderstanding and labeling of procrastination
Many people simply blame “procrastination” for not achieving their goals and believe that they can succeed if they overcome it.
On social media, “I’m a procrastinator” has become a self-deprecating way to bring people closer together (similar to saying “I stay up late too”). - Cycle of emotional deterioration
Typical pattern: procrastination → anxiety/blame → greater desire to avoid → increased procrastination
Important reminder.
Viewing procrastination as a “personal failure” can add to the psychological burden. Research has found that psychological factors such as perfectionism and fear of failure are the underlying causes.
What to do next?
Now that you understand the nature of procrastination, the next step can be to learn specific solutions (watch for follow-ups).