[bewise93]

Today, I am in my pjs and laying on the couch. I feel lethargic. I feel like a walking zombie. I wish I knew what to do when I feel this way because no amount of self-motivation can push me off the couch. My dog wants to play, but I am too tired. I've been drinking coffee and eating coffee ice cream all morning, but still feel like a lethargic zombie. Anyone have any coping skills for times like these? I'd greatly appreciate it.

I feel bad when I'm in that situation, which I'm in right now coincidentally. It makes me feel very guilty when I don't play with my pet parrot enough.

I actually have a laptop, so I guess I can say that is what I do in bed much of the day. I'm in bed right now typing this on my laptop.

My usual situation is to only get up to eat, and I do that too often (too much to eat). I do feel guilty doing very little, so I tend to finally get my butt up one hour before my husband is due home and somehow rush doing all of the chores and fixing some kind of dinner in that last hour.

I do need to run errands from time to time, but I usually do them in conjunction with a pdoc or tdoc appointment. If I'm already out, I tend to have the motivation to stop on the way home to do one more thing. Actually, I've just added a wellness meeting to my week for the 6 upcoming weeks. I guess my motivation to go there is just to see people. I'm intensely lonely.

I struggle with this guilt as well.

when I did the bipolar mentoring sessions (briefly), it was 1 of the things I braught up to my mentor- that I should be doing so much more, and I'm not.. and she gave me the best peace of advice- she said just do what you can. don't think of it like you've failed, think of it like you are taking care of yourself by just doing what you can and not overdoing it

I

I struggle with this guilt as well.

when I did the bipolar mentoring sessions (briefly), it was 1 of the things I braught up to my mentor- that I should be doing so much more, and I'm not.. and she gave me the best peace of advice- she said just do what you can. don't think of it like you've failed, think of it like you are taking care of yourself by just doing what you can and not overdoing it

I usually watch tv, but I have a short attention span.. so after like half an hour/ an hour, it goes off, and I just stare blankly in to space.

the computer I use is wired, and In another room, so I can't do that

likewise with reading, but with reading it's because I don't have any focus

[bpforever1]

I know how you feel. Usually when I don't have anything to do, I just do nothing. Thus, I try to have a schedule where I have to do something each day. Today, I woke up in the afternoon but did some chores. I forced myself to study also. Then, I enjoyed my free time with things I like to do. If I did not make plans to do anything, I would be sleeping all of the time. I encourage you to make plans for each day. Otherwise, you will be doing nothing but lying on the couch.

[Row Jimmy]

I count up to three - 1, 2, 3 - and then I sit up. I gather up my senses and then I get on my feet and usually walk to the fridge to present myself with a reward.

[annielovesbacon]

I feel you...today (Friday night) I left my house for the first time since Wednesday. It sucks. It's hard.
Sometimes what helps me is making a list of things I either feel like I "should" do (because I feel guilty) or things I want to do. I think about if there's anything on those lists I feel like I can do. Even if it's really really small. Like really small. Like getting up, throwing your trash away, and sitting back down. Sometimes doing something gives me momentum.
But sometimes it doesn't. Or something I truly feel like there is NOTHING I can do. In that case, the best thing you can do is forgive yourself. It's OK to stay in bed or on the couch all day sometimes. Sometimes, that's the best we can do. It's OK.

[emgreen]

Douse the couch with gasoline & light a match. I get up off the couch mighty quick when the heat hits my arse. Just a little levity...Don't try this at home!

[scatterbrained04]

Sometimes, no matter what I do, I can't get up. But in general, if there is stuff to be done, I just get up and force one foot in front of another. There is no motivation about it. The 15 minute timer thing works well for chores and things. Set a timer for 15 minutes, force yourself to do the task for just that amount of time. If I have to go somewhere, I just walk out the door and get in the car. It all sucks and it's hard. Big hugs

[Terabithia]

I second the advice on writing lists. And if there’s absolutely nothing on that list I feel I can do, then I try not to beat myself up. That just makes it worse. I accept where I’m at, get my comforter out, and lie on the sofa, just like I’m having a sick day...or days. I watch tv or get on my iPad, or sleep. I might call my psychiatrist and tell him where I’m at mentally, and see if there’s anything he might want to change with my Meds.

[WildcatVet]

I feel this way most of the time...I force myself to get up and do one thing...no pressure or lists of things I SHOULD be doing. Accomplishing one thing makes me feel better about myself...and I find I can then do another thing...and so it goes...on and on.

[Sunflower123]

You could make a list with 3 small tasks on it. If you complete the three and want to continue, add 3 more. If not, you’ve accomplished 3 things and can pat yourself on the back.

Either way, don’t beat yourself up for being on the couch. It’s part of the illness. Beating yourself up or feeling guilty won’t help any.

[tecomsin]

I find the combination of almost blinding fatigue and anxiety to be the worst and that's where I am now... That suggestion to set a timer for 15 minutes seems like a good one. I had fatigue before during chemotherapy and it was tough but this is worse.