Bipolar and Boredom, I mean chronically bored

Hello everyone!

I have an issue I don't understand. I am always bored. Like very bored. I have no want or drive or stimulation to do anything. I don't want to go out and socialize because I feel I am too fat to do anything.

I just don't have a need. TV doesn't help, even being online doesn't help like it used to. I tried to pick up a book to read and I couldn't. I guess I am feeling lost because a friend of mine I was looking forward to talking to disappeared on me and I feel like I have no one to talk to. I hate feeling this way. I guess this is one of those low moods that comes to being bipolar.

Does anyone else feel chronic boredom? Like nothing can stimulate you?

Sorry no answer but I understand. I've been bored since grade school

I hear ya. It sucks

You might be a bit depressed. Not enjoying things you used to in the past is one of the symptoms.

I think that might be it. I have my ups and downs. Sometimes it's just more extreme than others

It is hard to read when you are depressed. Does TV help any?

Hi Platinum, I know the feeling. It comes and goes with me. Hope you feel better soon.

i get like this wheni am depressed or very stressed too - i know its really bad if i cant concentrate on tv

i feel for you x

Boredom and loss of interest in the things I like doing is my biggest red flag that I'm getting depressed. It sounds like you had a trigger recently, with your friend disappearing.

I hope you feel better.

Absolutely. It was driving me crazy too. All of my activity came from being manic. When the meds took that away I had no drive to do any of the things I used to enjoy.
And then summer came and I didn't want to watch it go by and do nothing. So I pushed myself to start hiking, walking and running again.
It was real hard at first, but once I got over this odd mental hump I was fine.
I am still adjusting to this new non-manic life and creating a new normal isn't easy at all.

I understand what you mean. I think that after being depressed for an entire year, I've sort of gotten into a rut. I forced myself out of my room to visit friends who are stay at home moms, but since those friendships went down the toilet Idk what to do with myself, should I even have the drive... My actions are depressing, I do nothing except eat, sleep, chat and post. Yet for the most part, I feel good. Winter's here, it's wet and cold, that doesn't help at all, I go from 1 pair of pj's to the next. It's sad really...

Have you ever tried one of those lights to help with seasonal affective disorder? I am the reverse of you getting into Summer time but about October, the beginning of colder weather I turn my light on and leave it on till March. I use it evey morning. Its on my computer table and is a desk lamp. I use it app. two hours every day. It has helped with my depression in the winter

Thanks, I don't have 1 of those, winter has never held me back from enjoying myself before... Idk if it's bcoz I have nothing to do or bcoz I have no money to go anywhere, or bcoz winter is not my friend anymore... It's all quite a bit confusing...

I have this exact problem. Nothing is interesting and I end up feeling suicidal with too much time on my hands. Sometimes I can't watch TV at all, I just go try to sleep or lay down. I hope we find some answers.

Thanks for posting everyone! You know what's funny is I have the tv on in the background while I am online. It's like we live in a world of constant flux and multitasking that we need constant stimulation. I guess that's what it must be. I like the idea of exercising but I have absolutely no drive to do that either. It could really help with my weight problem. Getting up and moving is the hardest part.

But hang in there everyone! And remember keep posting! Being on this site really helps a lot.

I know others have already said this to you, but to me it all sounds more like you're a bit depressed when you get like this. I know what chronic boredom is, I have chronic boredom lol. I want to do something more exciting, more "chaotic" and energetic, to touch life, to experience, but I can't. Things are of interest, and I can get up to do them, but they're not interesting enough, they're not what can actually be stimulating, and I"m constantly searching for something more stimulating, so instead I am bored until I can find that excitement.

Maybe I didn't help LOL, maybe I reiterated what you just said (I'm using loads of big words tonight lol, not sure if they're used correctly). But I think there's a difference between lack of interest and drive vs. not finding that something that will bring you energy and excitement, not knowing what will stimulate you so you can actually have that.

Sorry if I didn't help, just wanted to reply to see if that possbily could help you.

Wow, I'm so glad I read this! I'm a newbie here. I've been bipolar 2 for 25 years. Although, the only time I ever had mania was 25 years ago while on antidepressants without mood stabilizers. Otherwise, just chronic depression. Really chronic.

Lately I've been just like you. Usually I'm ok with going online, watching certain tv shows, etc. But now nothing at all interests me. Except now that I found this new place which helps a little. I think with me part of it is that I have a family who *is* interested in stuff,, my husband is a techie who is always taking pics and posting them on social media, my 12 year old daughter too, they both are basically happy (and boy, I am glad of that for them) but it accentuates how I am. Part of it is that I am 55 and a total techno-dummy, I could take photos off a camera and upload them if I absolutely had to but barely. I can barely take a good pic with our camera. My eyes are bad and I have never been technical or good with manual things.

My husband has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer which is early stage and very treatable, but it bothers me more than him, knowing how much he'll have to go through this summer with the surgery. I feel like a real drag on my family most of the time. I call what I have "anhedonia" which is a fancy term I learned a long time ago which means that nothing gives you pleasure. The one thing I still do is work out, but not as regularly as I used to. None of my meds work and nothing new the doc puts me on helps.

Anyway, best of luck to all of you!

I get this way for sure. Strangely enough on the way up to manic land. I can't do this or that raise of this non issue. Even if I could solve the non issue I wouldn't want to do it anyway.

And then I get here... And this is how I know I'm manic....

Ahhhhh! I'm sooooo bored and nothing is good enough or exciting enough or big enough!!!! And if something can't be the biggest, boldest, baddest, wittiest, most creative and impressive thing ever then I'm not doing it! Ughhhhh I'm soooooo bored.

Yep. Time for help. These are my warning bells.

The best thing to do is try new things while keeping in mind that the first step is always the hardest.

For instance, those first two weeks I made myself start lifting weights were terrible. I felt like people were judging me cause of how scrawny I was, I was tired and sore all the time, and I felt like such a fool. Now, I can't live without it. I squatted 255 lbs. 8 times the other day and felt very, very proud.

Is it for everyone? No. But there is always photography, travel, hiking, or just getting the habit of getting up early and going for a walk. You'll be surprised what you can do and what you like when you take a committed first step forward.