how do you get motivated to do something when u are depressed??

In the recent past I was a peer educator leading mental health groups in wellness & recovery principles, for which I received training. Getting the motivation to do anything was a very common problem. Our answer was: Start with doing a few small things; recognize and reward yourself for the accomplishments; this provides momentum to increase to bigger things; make sure to always include things you enjoy and which make you feel better (with obvious exceptions like drugs). Many of these ideas were mentioned in previous posts. Hopefully this will help.

For me personally, a big part of my depression was the burden of guilt and shame, which a couple people also mentioned. For this I found it helpful to read alot and learn the causes of disorders like depression. Learning that it was due to an alcoholic father helped me to heal-- it wasn't my fault.

On occasion, I've gotten some mileage out of visualizing myself doing the task easily, painlessly, visualizing feeling energy for it. It's sort of a mental rehearsal, which though sounding dumb and simplistic perhaps, has actually worked for me. Even to get out of the house for a social invite or activity, I've had to visualize myself having momentum, easily slipping on my coat, keeping moving, grabbing my car keys from the hook and walking out the door.

I make a pleasure activity list and write things down Iwant to achieve and then predict how much satisfaction I will get out of it. Mostly, my anticipation of doing the task is a lot higher than when I do the task. Once I have completed something, it gives me a sense of mastery and the motivation to tackle bigger things.

Thank you for sharing your techniques. I feel so encouraged to see all of you having such similar experiences to mine. I usually recognize I am dealing with a bout of depression when suddenly I can't make a simple, unimportant decisions. Buy this pen or that? (it really doesn't matter which, but I can't decide!) But I procrastinate all the time, even though I know how great it makes me feel when I get stuff done. It does get worse when depressed.

I found I can get some energy to do a thing if I get out and walk first. (Though some days getting dressed is a FIRST hurdle. lol! Few times it got dark on me, before I got ready) But the sun, fresh air, body movement, gives me energy to tackle something usually, and the satisfaction of 2 things done, can give energy to do yet another.

Music too, rhytmic, foot tapping kind, like to dance to.

Also, even when all depressed I manage to keep appointments, can go to my eye exam or whatever, so i make the task I choose feel like that. I make an appointment. Tomorrow I am doing that (whatever). Works sometimes.

Another self-talk that I use, is a language of love not coertion. "Do this because it is good for you to do this, it is a medicine, it is recovery."

All of this sounds good, but just reading them makes me cry because I feel I am on the brink of losing my mind. I am angry, I cry all the time, I have no motivation, idk what to do. I have tried over 50 different meds and none have worked. I feel there is not light at the end of this tunnel and I just want it over with. IDK what else to do. AND I HATE IT.

Maybe you can reward yourself with something you truly enjoy after working or taking care of responsibilities. There are moments of struggle and moments of outlet. Don't let the moments of struggle get the best of you. Journey well in life. Blessings.