Depression is like being handcuffed and tied to a bed

I feel like such an idiot. This is the most stupid disease/illness/whatever ever "invented", this depression. Mine has become so ridiculous at this stage that it's laughable. I have been given so many signs to show me how to be more happy but it's like I just can't do it. It's like there is an anchor tied to my backside, or I'm cuffed to a bed or something. It's hard to explain. It's just that lack of ability or will to reach out and grab the things available. It's like someone giving you the winning numbers to the lottery beforehand, telling you to go play it because you WILL win, and then you deciding not to do it anyway, because you just can't get out of bed or face the woman at the ticket counter. This is how I feel every day, all the answers are there, they are staring me in the face, but I just can't "take" them and use them like I should. I know exactly how to be happy, where it lies, but I convince myself that I don't. I even say to myself "Is it really worth it to have all those things?". This is how I convinced myself out of having more money already, a loving relationship, a healthier body, a better appearance, a happy career, even a closer relationship with God. This is so debilitating, it's unbelievable .

Hello, StbGuy. Start with goals you can succeed at.

Good luck.

You're right depression is the most stupid illness ever. Someone once told me the difference between a cold and the flu was that with the flu if you saw a £20 note lying in the middle of the road you just wouldn't have the energy to go and pick it up. Depression has exactly the same debilitating effect, but the stakes are so much higher. Unlike the flu depression doesn't normally get better in a couple of weeks,even with the right meds it will take a few months, sometimes longer. Unfortunately, doing all the right stuff to feel better is usually something that you can only achieve once you start to feel a bit better, until then like Glok says concentrate on doing really easy stuff even if it is only getting out of bed every day.

What answers are right in front of you???

I know the feelings that you've written all too well, handcuffed is a great way to descirbe it. I've also heard it referred to as the cold gray hand of death just about to tap you on the shoulder and seemingly there at all times; but I'm inclined to join with the others that suggest to do some of the simplest things first...I keep on going because I once knew life without this horrible illness, and I'm determined to know it like that once again...I do hope that things get better for you, even if just a little bit.

No. Some people enjoy the tied to a bed thing.

Everything. How to be happier at what I'm doing, healthier, more enjoyment out of life, everything. Just can't reach out to grab it .

((( StbGuy ))) I know what you mean, it's like been shackled to the floor and encased in concrete.

When I'm at my lowest it feels like I'm dragging hundreds of pounds of lead weights around with me trying to get anything done. It's so much easier to stay in bed and not drag those weights around. I totally get it and it frustrates me too.