[Shaymus]

Ive recently started taking Lexapro and have noticed very good changes. One thing i still worry about is once you start feeling better how do you all get motivated to changing the things you hate about yourself? I think if i got a job id feel a lot less self hatred. For the last six years or so ive basically hidden in my house as i have a pretty strong social phobia. Im a person of habbit also so im just curious what you all do when your used to being lethargic but think your strong enough to make some steps now? Rereading this makes me want to yell at myself "What the heck! Just get off your lazy butt and do it!" but im hoping im not the only one feeling like this and hopefully some others have felt like this and gotten passed a few of the early steps and can share their advice.

[mj14]

Shaymus, I know exactly what you mean...it can be so easy to stay where you are, even if you don't really like that place. And turning things around looks like such a difficult task. The thing that has really helped me is to focus on the direction I'm heading, and not to expect a certain amount of progress, or to look at a goal too far ahead. Taking even the smallest step, maybe just finding one activity to do every day, starts you heading in the right direction, and soon you will find that one step leads to more.

Another thing that has helped me a lot with this particular aspect is group therapy. It's such a common problem, getting moving again after suffering for so long, that I find other people struggling with the same thing can really help with finding ways to start heading in the right direction. Also, I've noticed that a number of people in the group have been able to make steps by promising the group they would. Especially when you're suffering with self-hatred, doing something just for yourself sometimes isn't as powerful a motivator as doing it because you promised someone else you would.

So, maybe you could come up with one little thing that you could do to get started? If you've been pretty much housebound, something like taking a short walk every day might be a good idea.

Good luck, and let us know what you come up with.

mj

<font color=green> If she spins fast enough then maybe the broken pieces of her heart will stay together, but even a gyroscope can't spin forever</font color=green>

[Shaymus]

I went to my parents house yesterday and that made me feel better. For being horrible parents growing up they sure are helpful now that im an adult. I also went to the grocery store during the day. That doesnt sound like much but i usually go at 3am cause usually only the check out clerk is there then Today i sent in my health insurance/medical assistance application in. That should have been done a week ago but better late than never right?

I talked to my sister who also has anxiety and depression problems but went and got help for them sooner(Shes the smart one) and she told me when it comes to depression and stuff its very normal to take two steps forward and then one step back. That helped me out a lot as i tend to do things and then once there is a sign of possible failure just drop it cause whats the point. But if i can jam it in my head that everyone has setbacks with these things then i think even if i do step back ill keep my eye on the prize. Hopefully.

[Butterfly_Faerie]

The motivation for me comes when I think abojut how much GAD has taken over my life... not wanting to anymore, getting the right treatment, learning different coping methods etc. I was tired of feeling sick all the time.... tired of being afraid to do something , go somewhere..

I think once you realize that something needs to change in order to make your life better, that is enough motivation to do something about it..

Did that make any sense?

<font color=red>~</font color=red><font color=blue>S</font color=blue><font color=green>u</font color=green><font color=blue>n</font color=blue><font color=green>d</font color=green><font color=blue>a</font color=blue><font color=green>n</font color=green><font color=blue>c</font color=blue><font color=green>e</font color=green><font color=red>~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>