Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

DEFINITION

I.                    Definition of Procrastination and Disorder

Procrastination

Procrastination according to the Oxford Dictionary means - The action of delaying or postponing something. 

Procrastination is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in favour of doing more urgent ones first. Doing more pleasurable things instead of the less pleasurable ones, thus putting off impending tasks to a later time and sometimes even to the last minute.

Amy Spencer wrote the article, "The Science behind Procrastination." In that article it was mentioned that procrastination can be related to Charlie Brown's Seesaw Sensibility, between two parts of the mind when it’s faced with a boring task: a battle of the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex; whereas the limbic system is connected to our pleasure and entertainment zone and the prefrontal cortex is associated with our internal “planner” or the logical part of our brain.

Spencer says, "The moment you’re not consciously engaged in a task, your limbic system takes over. You give in to what feels good—you procrastinate" (http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/procrastination-00000000055281/) Well that is how man was perceived and probably how it will always be.

It is the chronic habit of illegitimately justifying to oneself that a task does not, should not, or cannot be started now. It is putting off that which should be done now.

Disorder

A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder is a mental or behavioural pattern that prohibits a person to act normally or freely without causing harm to themselves or to the people around them.

According to Psychology.about.com – A disorder is a “psychological symptom that impacts multiple life areas and/or creates distress for the person experiencing these symptoms.”
A disorder is a disturbance or derangement that affects the function of mind or body.

II.                  Factors Why Procrastination is a Disorder

A.      Mental

As much as people believe that procrastination is only a habit it can actually be considered as a disorder not a habit. Procrastination- this isn't a nuance, but a perpetual occurrence - no longer qualifying for the term "habit." Procrastination is not a habit, it may be a result of something that happened to the person and it’s their way to overcome or ignore their problems. (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web1/jmaryasis.html)

Disorders like this and other mental disorders cannot be cured but you learn to manage it more effectively. As said by the article “How Do You Cure Mental Illness?”  By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.  

Taking in that the limbic system is wired with our pleasure zone, once the brain feels bored on the given subject; distractions are everywhere just to keep you from doing work. A lot of people believe that procrastination is only a habit or a phase. They tend to think that someone procrastinating can overcome or outgrow this phase because it’s only temporary.

B.      Emotional

Procrastination has been linked to a number of negative associations, such as depression, irrational behaviour, low self-esteem, anxiety, poor study habits, and neurological disorders such as ADHD. Others have found relationships with guilt and stress.

“Behavioural procrastination is equated with self-handicap. Essentially, this self-handicap provides a means for further blame shifting, as could be seen in an example of a student doing poorly on an exam and using procrastination as an excuse.” (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web1/jmaryasis.html)