[manicdiamond]

Some days it feels like I'm almost paralyzed and can't think, shower, or work. Does anyone else feel like this? What do you do to make yourself get up and go to work?

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by manicdiamond

Some days it feels like I'm almost paralyzed and can't think, shower, or work. Does anyone else feel like this? What do you do to make yourself get up and go to work?

When I was working, I'd think of the money that I would earn that day, and what I could spend it on.

[newtothis31]

One thing that has helped me is taking my medicine around 7PM the night before- the earlier- the easier it is for me to wake up.

The best thing I've done is set-up a morning routine, and let myself go about it auto-pilot on some days. Usually I snap out of it within the first thirty minutes but it's not easy.

[pirilin]

I'm into flagellation, you know.

a) Come to North Florida and get a good bullwhip from a cracker.
b) Buy a three step ladder and stand in the top step.
c) Bare your torso and get it wet. Gasoline works.
d) Whip yourself silly until you develop desire.
e) Wipe your tears of joy, because the whipping has stopped.

I always got to work happy after I finish.

I can't offer much advice, but sometimes medication causes these feelings. For example, Lamictal makes some people very foggy minded, which makes it difficult to get anything done.

Instead of trying to fix or work around the symptoms, I would look at the potential causes of your problems.

[DesigningWoman]

It can be really hard somedays. I have worked full and part time jobs. I can't claim perfect attendance. But I have never been fired for missing too much. However sometimes I find just taking it mentally moment by moment helps.
I also try to maintain a pretty strict schedule and daily routine. It helps me sleep, and once in the groove, I can get through bad days on autopilot if need be. I set alarms on my phone to ding for pills, going to bed, etc. it helps keep me on track and on time. I allow myself to modify if needed but I like to stick to it. I find myself feeling more comfortable and stable in a life schedule.

[seoultous]

I get up, shower and go to work because I have to. Who else will earn the money and cook the dinner and clean the house (well I usually don't get around to cleaning). I know that if I stay in bed, it will just make everything worse. I won't have money next month, my family will attempt to make dinner and make a horrible mess, and the house will look even more like a disaster. It becomes a downward spiral. Then I never would get out of bed!

Instead I do what others here have suggested and have a strict schedule which includes going to bed and getting up at the same time everyday - including the week-ends. I find showering to be hard but once I get that done the rest of the day seems to go better.

I hope you can find a way to get up and going that works for you.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Truth be told: I don't always. I try my best to not call in, but some days, I really just need the rest and there's not anything I can do about it.

But on those days when there's just enough in me, I think about not letting others down (I'm a big people pleaser), think about the money I'll make, and know that getting out is better for me than staying in.

I worked until I couldn't work anymore. I just got up and did it. Didn't think about it. Work can be fun and offer so much in ways of support and stability. It can also suck sometimes. Are you in the right job for you? Is this a problem at all jobs, or just this one?

[gina_re]

I don't have anybody else to pay my bills or take care of me. So that is a HUGE motivator for me to make the best effort I can. I have been having some off days lately, and when I literally cannot work and am unable to function, I will take a vacation day to rest. I stay in touch with my pdoc during instability, like I am now. I just have to make myself do it so I can continue to get paid. Also keeping my sleep regular is vital for me. If it goes out of schedule, I will definitely have issues.

[manicdiamond]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

I worked until I couldn't work anymore. I just got up and did it. Didn't think about it. Work can be fun and offer so much in ways of support and stability. It can also suck sometimes. Are you in the right job for you? Is this a problem at all jobs, or just this one?

I normally love my job. I don't know if I'm still recovering from the psychotic episode or what but lately it feels like so much effort to do simple things like take a shower. Going to work and thinking takes so much out of me.

I hear you. I wish I could offer something in the way of advise. I knew "something" was wrong while working, but didn't know about my BP until the end of my last career. I now know of things I would do differently and standing up for myself and not feeling guilty for having "needs" would have been something I would have worked harder on.

I know this won't make things easier, but work is hard for nearly everybody at some point. Can you pinpoint anything which might make the situation easier to manage? Is it possible to take some vacation for awhile?

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by manicdiamond

Some days it feels like I'm almost paralyzed and can't think, shower, or work. Does anyone else feel like this? What do you do to make yourself get up and go to work?

I just thought of this...are you even happy with your job? Sometimes hating your job and/or where you work has an impact on being able to get yourself to go and work.

[Raindropvampire]

Originally Posted by manicdiamond

Some days it feels like I'm almost paralyzed and can't think, shower, or work. Does anyone else feel like this? What do you do to make yourself get up and go to work?

it's how I feel almost everyday but I just do it because no one else is going to take care of me. I need money if I want to survive. But survive is all I do there is no quality of life because working takes every ounce of effort I can muster.