[Sunflower123]

Before I got sick and had a nervous breakdown (this was before the Bipolar II diagnosis) I was highly ambitious, productive and high energy. Now, some days it is all I can do to brush my teeth and take a shower. It just makes my depression worse. Does anybody else have this problem? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks much.

[Disorder7]

I have no advice because I'm right there with you.

I get very depressed comparing myself to then and now. I was so ambitious, there was just no way I would have guessed that my life would have turned out like this. No way.

[Sunflower123]

Thank you for your response. I am always comparing then and now and the difference devastates me. I have trouble accepting it. I am sorry you are having the same problems I am but it helps me knowing that I'm not the only one.

I'm with you guys. I used to practice law full time. Now I've been in a depression for more than a year and am having maintenance ECT for it. I don't believe I can practice law anymore - - too much stress - - so am looking for a job as a paralegal. It is hard to lose the person you used to be.

[Blue_Bird]

Yes, I think I may currently be in a depression episode and I've lost motivation to do my schoolwork or even brush my teeth to be honest

[Disorder7]

You're not the only one at all.

It's almost like comparing two different people when I compare then and now. I was fiercely independent and made decent money. Sometimes it just seems unreal. Sigh.

[Hexagram]

I think the biggest challenge we face is to recognize, accept and adapt to the limitations imposed by the disease.

[meganb22]

Motivation has always been a problem for me, I guess because I haven't really pushed myself that hard. When I'm depressed it is even more difficult to get motivated to do anything. The only tips I can think of is to make small goals for yourself of what you want to do or get done. Nothing huge- just something to get you moving forward a bit. It's still really difficult and having family and friends close by to talk to and push you is ideal.

Good luck!

[Gray Rider]

I'm also having trouble. I had solid quality of life, income, nice things, good friends. The past few years of instability have done serious damage to all that.

Of course, who am I to say how things "should" be?

[quasicrystalline]

I'm so glad I joined here... This is kind of dissuading all thoughts that I might not be bipolar, because I'm able to relate to most all of this. Not every thread sounds 100% like me, but close enough it's a little scary.

I totally get motivation issues. It seems like I have multiple levels of motivation or lack there of. Sometimes I have all the motivation in the world to do the things I want to do (which aren't necessarily good things always) but no motivation to the the things I have to do. Other times I feel like a lazy pile of crap who can't find the urge to do anything, and I start to think it's just me. Like I'm a pathetic person who just can't be bothered to do anything.

[Justugh]

nice lady and i think other nice lady

i figured out this answer years ago as a kid i do not know if it will work for u but it has for me many many many time

depression hits u only have 2 choices ride it out or fight back ........for years i been using slow burn anger ....my will vs everything ........u set a list of things that most be done what ever it is in your life and u do it using the anger the will to fight not give in and do what u need too because u need to

now the trick is to maintain polite civil attitude ......u are not angry at the person u are angry at the way u feel .........it took me some time to control it in public (those ppl that just get your buttons u might lose it and unleash a verbal tongue lashing of epic status or completely white out and recover after u have broken hand on their face ) the best way i have found is to reduce your triggers and to let stuff go at the end of the day ......this is revenge on depression not on the guy that cut in line every day

ppl will see u are having a bad day ..........so u need to have those answers ready for them (the ones u are hiding the fact u are u from u need to set 5/7 excuses and rotate them ) for the ppl that know just saying having a bad day and powering tho it (those ppl will watch u and try to improve your mood/day)

anger/revenge is the only emotion that i have found that has enough drive/power behide it to make me move when i am deep down/ going down or locked in a deep hole ......and again it is anger at the feeling (not yourself not your brain not life ) the feeling that is depression

warning now if u do use this and u are in one of those days if u are locked/confined in a area with ppl that just set u off .......u will go off with to much time and exposure no ifs ands or buts it will happen so excuse yourself if u can or have some heavy meds close by to use