Posted by SLS on August 17, 2009, at 6:33:18
In reply to Re: Scott-quick question on lithium-Good to hear, posted by morganator on August 16, 2009, at 23:37:10
Hi Morgan.
I can attest to the destructive power that depression has over motivation. When I have had brief antidepressant responses, I had no problems initiating activities. In fact, a few weeks ago, when I experienced a moderate response to the addition of lithium, I was already beginning to plan a trip down to the Florida keys. Man, it felt so good to be driving with the roof open with sunshine all around me. I couldn't wait to pack.
Motivation/Interest/Energy are lost to this illness. Just how much PUSHING should one person expect of another when the other person is severely depressed? Without medication, my depressive state does not allow me enough motivation to stop staring at the wall and fix my gaze on the TV. Forget about picking up the remote to change channels.
I think it helps to think of the various types and severities of depressions in terms of thresholds of functionality. I am right at the threshold of going back to the gym. These past few days, I have PUSHED myself out the door in order to walk a mile. I think if I PUSH myself, I can get in the car and drive to the gym. Once I'm there, I am hoping that momentum will allow me to begin exercising. If I were feeling any worse than I am right now, though, I would be below the threshold of being able to accomplish this.
One caveat that I try to employ for myself is to not judge another person's experience of depression against mine. Just because I can get out of bed in the morning and cook myself breakfast does not mean that others must be able to do it as well if they would only PUSH themselves hard enough.
I am tired of PUSHING.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:912458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090810/msgs/912550.html