Correct me if I'm wrong, Berries, but are you bipolar? Is your brain slowing down, causing you to be in this cycle? Are you coming off of a manic phase, or cycling into a depressive?

When I'm overwhelmed with stuff, or when my brain is in super-slow-mo, I tend to paralyze. Can't get my "start" button pushed. Here is what is helpful to me in that situation:

Break tasks down into the smallest unit possible. If cleaning the house or even an entire room is too much, which it usually is, resolve to wash one dish or pick up one piece of paper. No, it won't make a difference to the big picture, but it will give you the tiniest feeling of accomplishment and may help push that start button. In one of my favorite self-help books, Dr. David Burns (Feeling Good) points out that "motivation follows action." He says sometimes you have to prime the pump, and doing that one little thing may get you going.

Or it may not, in which case at least there is one clean dish and you've accomplished *something.*

Even a bath or shower might lift your spirits just enough to get you going.

Don't worry about your T's opinion of treating you when you're sick. That's the T's job.

Your mother sounds a bit unrealistic. So is mine, sometimes. She's a dreamer, overly idealistic, living in a fairy tale world. That's her. That's not me. Sometimes my mother also frustrates me because she doesn't seem to get it, or wants me to join her in chasing pink clouds and rainbows. Sorry, mom. Whatever would I do with a pink cloud if I caught one, anyway?

Which reminds me--don't neglect humor. Try to read, watch, or listen to something that makes you laugh.

And do you have a pet? Mine do wonders for me.