[Trua]

Has anyone else experienced a complete loss of interest in almost everything? Perhaps for a day or week or two, or longer?

I have lost interest and have not watched tv, listened to the radio, gone to movies, read any newspapers or magazines for I think almost 2 years. Same pretty much for any hobbies, meeting new people, going places, taking trips, etc.

I did have my own business (during my hypo periods) and was creative and motivated then but had to put that on hold awhile ago.

Just wondering if what I'm describing is typical of someone with BP and should it last that long?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

This can happen with depression. The length of time it lasts varies and it often needs treatment. Do you have a therapist or pdoc you can check in with?

[UpDownAround]

I get it when depressed. I force myself to slog through some things hopeful that doing things I usually enjoy might help me feel better at least for a short time.

[BatsBelfry]

I have this same feeling. I stopped doing almost everything I used to love. For a long time I just "stared at the wall" as I say. Now I force myself to do things as much as I can. I have inattentive ADHD (ADD) along with BP II so I normally lose interest in things fast. The depression is when this happens the worst.

[Wild Coyote]

I've had this happen from severe depression.

I hope you feel more like yourself soon!

WC

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by Trua

Has anyone else experienced a complete loss of interest in almost everything? Perhaps for a day or week or two, or longer? *snip*
Just wondering if what I'm describing is typical of someone with BP and should it last that long?

Sounds typical of someone with depression - if it lasts longer than a week or two you should bring it up with your counselor. I've been there, and it took medication to bring me out of it.

[Guiness187055]

I am the same way when I am going through depression.

This happened to me when my husband died. I’ve recovered my ability to watch a little TV and movies, but I’m still unable to read books, which was my favorite thing. It has been 5 years.

It is most definitely depression.

[~Christina]

mine wax and wane ... Sucks !

[tsrc78]

I'm so sorry. I am going through this exact same thing right now, as I have had a major depressive crash from mania. Everyone tells me to find something to do that relaxes me, but how can you do that when nothing interests you? I'd like to say I'm just looking ke this when depressed, but I am also like this when manic. The difference is when I'm manic all I want to do is work (we have a home-based business) obsessively work, that's all that interests me even though I know it's not healthy. But again, how are you going to take a break from wotk when nothing interests you?

I wish I had some advice, I don't know right now. I can say I do have a new therapist who has helped me with some of this, but I haven't been able to afford the copays and haven't seen her in over 2 months. A good therapist might help, if you can make it to one. I do like to bake, but i often don't have the concentration skills to make it through a recipe. I do hope you are able to work through this. I've been through this for a long time and i know it's frustrating when people tell you to find something fun to do when nothing interests you. Just try to hold out hope you can make it through this until something changes.

[99fairies]

when i'm depressed i dont engage in anything. i lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling.

[GoldenSnitch]

I agree with everyone else that this seems to happen when I’m depressed. And it can lasts really long time unfortunately.

[Trua]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

This can happen with depression. The length of time it lasts varies and it often needs treatment. Do you have a therapist or pdoc you can check in with?

I have had a pdoc for about 3 years, we've tried various meds over time, but now only taking the Wellbutrin and Lamictal that I've been on the whole time, with Ativan 2x a day. I have seen a therapist but not for very long. I guess it helped some. Cost is a factor.

I think I need to look for a new pdoc, my current one spends the whole 15 min. typing into the computer, asks a few questions. I was the one that suggested most of the meds or treatments to try based on my own research.

[Trua]

Originally Posted by tsrc78

I'm so sorry. I am going through this exact same thing right now, as I have had a major depressive crash from mania. Everyone tells me to find something to do that relaxes me, but how can you do that when nothing interests you? I'd like to say I'm just looking ke this when depressed, but I am also like this when manic. The difference is when I'm manic all I want to do is work (we have a home-based business) obsessively work, that's all that interests me even though I know it's not healthy. But again, how are you going to take a break from wotk when nothing interests you?

I wish I had some advice, I don't know right now. I can say I do have a new therapist who has helped me with some of this, but I haven't been able to afford the copays and haven't seen her in over 2 months. A good therapist might help, if you can make it to one. I do like to bake, but i often don't have the concentration skills to make it through a recipe. I do hope you are able to work through this. I've been through this for a long time and i know it's frustrating when people tell you to find something fun to do when nothing interests you. Just try to hold out hope you can make it through this until something changes.

Your situation is very similar to mine -
- people telling me to do something that I like or interested in
- when I'm hypo I concentrate only on work
- looking for new therapist, but cost is a factor (looking for new pdoc too)
- I like to cook, but can only do this when I'm making something for my roommate and me

I'm able somehow to hold a full time job but when the workday is over I panic a bit since nothing interests me and I don't have more work to distract me. I can't lie down or I'll start falling into a past pattern that still haunts me - sleeping and paralyzed 14 -16 hrs a day for months.

I am starting to take "baby steps"
- will attend my first BP group meeting next Wed
- going out for dinner with a friend - have done this once recently in who knows how long
- push myself to adopt a cat from a shelter, maybe this Saturday

[tsrc78]

Originally Posted by Trua

Your situation is very similar to mine -
- people telling me to do something that I like or interested in
- when I'm hypo I concentrate only on work
- looking for new therapist, but cost is a factor (looking for new pdoc too)
- I like to cook, but can only do this when I'm making something for my roommate and me

I'm able somehow to hold a full time job but when the workday is over I panic a bit since nothing interests me and I don't have more work to distract me. I can't lie down or I'll start falling into a past pattern that still haunts me - sleeping and paralyzed 14 -16 hrs a day for months.

I am starting to take "baby steps"
- will attend my first BP group meeting next Wed
- going out for dinner with a friend - have done this once recently in who knows how long
- push myself to adopt a cat from a shelter, maybe this Saturday

I was JUST thinking about asking if you had any mental health/bipolar support groups nearby, I'm so glad you are going to one! Therapy (with a good therapist who is responsive to your needs) is really important, but I've been a part of mental health groups that have been extremely helpful, especially when you can't afford therapy. Not only is it comforting just to talk to people going through similar issues, but sometimes one person giving you just one different way of thinking of an issue, or providing you with just a certain type of support, can mean a lot. And the great thing about groups is that when you are new, they don't expect you to contribute a lot at first, they know you need some time, sometimes a few weeks, before you feel comfortable opening up. Which is a very different experience when you are seeing a new therapist.

One thing I've been trying to tell myself when I'm depressed, is that I will accomplish one small thing each day. I spend so much time focusing on what I'm not doing, what I'm not achieving when I'm depressed (very easy to do when you have a go, go, go personality) that I lose sight of the fact there are small things I do achieve each day.

The day before yesterday it was putting together food in the crockpot for dinner, baking some cookies, and I signed up for this Orlando training course - my husband and I are trying to get a home-based travel agency off the ground. I didn't do any of the training, other than watch 5 minutes of an intro video. There were 1001 other things I could have done, need to do, but I had to pat myself on the back for doing those small things. And I don't work a full time job outside the home, you deserve a round of applause just for getting up and doing that, even though I know you overwork yourself with it. But you just listed 3 things, that's already 3 days of accomplishments. Actually adopting a cat should count for at least 3 week's worth of a pat on the back. .

If you like to cook, just spend 10 minutes looking at recipes online one day. Eventually you'll find a food blog you like and can follow to read their posts as your one accomplishment for the day. I have saved hundreds of recipes I will never make! But since I love to bake, just looking at recipes is nice. Some things I will try, most I won't, but it doesn't matter because it was a positive activity, that calmed my mind even for just a few minutes. Like you said, baby steps.

I hope these things you plan to do will be helpful. And if you don't accomplish something for the day, there is always tomorrow. The point is to make it a goal you work towards. Hopefully I've been helpful, during the few minutes of clarity I have today, they don't happen often! Lol

ETA: I went to an emotional, yet helpful therapy session today. Plus I pushed myself to watch an episode of Mexico Life I had on DVR from months ago, and now I know a tortilla press will change my life. May not even make it through the rest of the episode, but I still accomplished something.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by tsrc78

I do like to bake, but i often don't have the concentration skills to make it through a recipe.

I can relate.

WC

[WildcatVet]

I feel just like you...it happens every time I slide into a depressive cycle... Are you seeing a doctor...preferably a psychiatrist?

[HarryKovert]

A classic symptom of depression as has already been mentioned.

I've been going through my own personal hell for 9 1/2 months and I'm surrounded by things that I usually take great pleasure from such as my partner, my dog, music, art and films which offer nothing at the moment which is hugely frustrating.

I know it will get better, after all I have been here before but I'm frightened as I've never had a low that has lasted this long.

Like others this happens to me when depressed. I'm obsessed with hiking and skiing and if I'm depressed I have no interest in going to the mountains. I used to force it and make myself do a small hike thinking it might help, but it hasn't.

[HarryKovert]

I'm with you there escapeartist - I've been going for long walks in the hills and it does nothing to lift my mood.

I've been reading more and more about ketamine although it's a long way from being approved here in the UK.

[Fuzzybear]

[Trua]

Originally Posted by tsrc78

One thing I've been trying to tell myself when I'm depressed, is that I will accomplish one small thing each day. I spend so much time focusing on what I'm not doing, what I'm not achieving when I'm depressed (very easy to do when you have a go, go, go personality) that I lose sight of the fact there are small things I do achieve each day.

I completely agree about focusing on what things you actually accomplished. I recently heard a simple method for this - before going to sleep, write down 3 things you did that day. At first I resisted, not much into journaling or writing right now, but I did do it last night and I look at it to remind myself. I will try my best to do that each night.

thanks tsrc78 for your detailed replies, I enjoy reading them And would like to respond to other sections as time allows.

And thanks to all that have replied, every response helps in some way

[Trua]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

Thanks fuzzybear, made me smile