Hi guys.

I have missed my last two shifts of work due to being depressed and anxious. I stopped my meds cold turkey recently enough, and I'm very discouraged at how low my mood has sunk without medication.

I wake up on work mornings with the feeling that everything is too much. Waking up? Too much. Taking a shower? Too much. Going outside? Definitely too much.

I'm curious if anyone has any strategies that help you get the day started, when even the simplest things seem impossible to tackle.

[hopeless2015]

I struggle with this to. I have found that I have to get up as soon as the alarm goes off....if I give myself time to think the bad thoughts take over. My depression is always worse in the morning. I try not to be so hard on myself on the days I don't make it in....sometimes that's easier said than done. HUGS

[Skeezyks]

Many years ago, my father used to like to say: "You're not required to like it. You're just required to do it." I wake up depressed & at least passively suicidal every morning. I simply don't allow myself any other option than to get up & do what needs to be done...

[LucyG]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

You might think about trying alternative treatments for depression and anxiety where you give your brain the nutrients in the form of amino acids it needs to produce the neurotransmitters it needs so you feel normal, and are able to function.

I've been using amino acids and the mineral lithium orotate for 9+ years now to treat my bipolar 2 after being on meds for 13 years with limited success. Since using the amino acids and lithium orotate, my mood has been a thousand times more stable than it was on meds, and I no longer feel like my life has no meaning. Now I'm actually happy with my life without being hypomanic--just a normal upbeat happy where every little thing doesn't throw me for a loop like it did when I was on meds.

Here's a brain function questionnaire that shows the emotions/feelings that are related to which neurotransmitter and what amino acid to take to produce it. I used this when I decided to try amino acids to get me started.

http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf

This is an article from Natural News about using amino acid therapy for depression, anxiety, and other conditions:

Amino acid therapy for depression, anxiety, ADHD, addiction and more - NaturalNews.com

Another article on amino acid therapy for depression:

https://experiencelife.com/article/a...-improve-mood/

[Fuzzybear]

[MtnTime2896]

I had this issue, too. Much like Skeezyks, I just didn't let myself have another option. I didn't allow myself to even ponder a choice. Regardless, this is difficult and I hope that things get easier for you over time. I'm sorry you're going through this.

[with or without you]

I've been missing work more as well. Wish I could give you some inspirational advice, but all I can say is that I force myself to go because my paid leave is running out and I can't quit working because I am self-supporting.

As I get closer and closer to my office, I can feel my chest tightening up and I have trouble breathing. There's nothing stressful about my workload or any of the people. The unbearable anxiety comes from having to give an 8 hour performance while hiding severe depression. As the day winds down, I start to loosen up again.

Thank you everyone so much for your replies, they mean a lot.

I am finally feeling capable of forcing myself to go to work today, which is awesome. Crossing my fingers that all goes well.

Work went OK and I'm proud of myself for going.

[with or without you]

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

Work went OK and I'm proud of myself for going.

Congrats.

I didn't. I didn't sit or lie around all day though.

Time to get my act together tomorrow.

[PenguinExMachina]

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

Work went OK and I'm proud of myself for going.

Try and hold on to that feeling. Use it as fuel the next time you can't get up. "Remember how good it felt when I did it? I like that feeling, I think I'll get it again."

Sometimes it works.