[internettie]

It's another one of those days where I can't seem to get going. I only do things when I absolutely have to. Otherwise I just sit around or return to bed. I have an appointment in 2 hours with my therapist and I still have taken a shower. I know I will take a shower, but I hate that I'm always waiting until the last minute. Instead of wasting all this time I could have been cleaning the house. Not something that is fun, but it is productive. I did manage to start the dishwasher and the laundry, but I have no motivation to finish either job. But I've got to get the laundry done so my husband will have work clothes for tomorrow. I'm only talking about one load of laundry. I feel pathetic.

What do you do when you're feeling stuck and having a hard time getting anything done?

[gimmeice]

((((((((((((( internettie ))))))))))))))

I have those kind of days all the time, I know it is so hard. I have found picking whatever absolutely needs done and not thinking about just doing it, is the best approach for me. If I sit and think about doing something I wear myself out dreading doing what needs done or I become so overwhelmed by everything that needs done then I am just stuck there. I struggle with this issue often.

[internettie]

(((((gimmeice))))) Thanks for responding. I finally had to get going because of my appointment with T. It felt good to take a shower and get dressed in something besides sweats. The dread is what gets me too. I just need to jump in and get whatever it is I've decided to do, done. I'm sorry that you struggle with this issue too. I think you're on the right track though - don't spend hours thinking about something that will only take 15 minutes to do. Good advice.

[Sannah]

Sounds like a good plan Nettie........

[nowheretorun]

hoping you feel a little better today Nettie, its very very hard somedays but please take only one moment and think of something very wonderful and personal.. it might be a favorite print or color or object but just something to help you feel good one moment and then let yourself be you a bit, k? sending hugs and care ...

[internettie]

(((((Sannah, nowheretorun)))))

I've planned to go over to a friends house later this morning. She and I always have a good time and laugh. That will do me a world of good. So today is another day that I have to get going with the shower and getting dressed. I need the motivation of leaving the house and visiting a friend today to get things going.

[internettie]

Originally Posted by nowheretorun

hoping you feel a little better today Nettie, its very very hard somedays but please take only one moment and think of something very wonderful and personal.. it might be a favorite print or color or object but just something to help you feel good one moment and then let yourself be you a bit, k? sending hugs and care ...

I took your advice and I'm listening to classical music, something I really enjoy. I think I'm also going to dig out a really pretty marble that a tech at the hospital gave to me years ago and put it in my pocket today. It will remind me that people do care about me.

[Sannah]

More good plans, you go girl!

[internettie]

I can seem to get going and be somewhat animated when I have something to do (am I faking it?) but when I don't have something to do, I just sit around or sleep. Sometimes I just sit in my chair in the living room, with my head hanging down, just wishing the day would end. Am I really depressed if I can muster up something for those occasions that I need to 'be there'? I don't know that I really have a sense of joy right now. I do smile and laugh once in a while, but it just doesn't seem to stick with me. I don't know what I'm talking about. Just needed to get these thoughts out of my head.

I do appreciate all of the suggestions and encouragement.

[nowheretorun]

when i had some of the worst days (which lasted for years) i had what was described as 'lack of affect' .. that made sense to me cause that pretty much was how it felt for me.. i felt like a lifeless rag doll and movement felt like i was in water, arms heavy, body slow, almost a dream state at times, not really here, but not really there either.. it really annoyed me cause i knew there was an inner self inside me yelling and screaming to get moving, get doing, but doing what??? it kept screaming tho and after awhile it started calming down when i began to accept less and less in life but found simple little ways to feel as if i mattered... giving someone else a hand made me feel the least selfish and most useful so i started doing that more often and not asking for or expecting any kind of help or reward for it...

pretty soon i was able to look myself in the mirror again...

for you it might be a little different.. maybe you spend a lot of time helping but still dont feel this connection to others or with your own life that you are seeking...

to feel good sometimes we need to know what we believe good is... how we define goodness will help help us arrive there...

i am sending you kind thoughts and prayers for your joy today Nettie

[debbie_tabor]

I've spent years questioning if I was depressed or not because I felt better sometimes if I was with friends, because I could keep moving if I had to, and basically because I wasn't suicidal every moment of the day. Therefore didn't get the help I needed.

I went into a day program with other depressed people and realised you could be depressed and still laugh at jokes and be functional enough to get to the program (I can be depressed and get myself to work). Behavioural therapy suggests you do things which you enjoy to raise your mood, and being with people who raise your mood, as you have done already. i.e. you can be depressed and there will still be things you can enjoy. Another thing is to appreciate yourself for each small thing you achieve, because when you're depressed small things are an achievement.

Have you talked to a doctor or your therapist about this? You may feel like you're faking it to them, I still question myself. It sounds like meds could help.