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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rainyday on February 11, 2004, at 9:33:21
Between sweating, tingling, and not sleeping due to my meds, I'm told to increase aerobic activity. Where does the motivation come from if you can't even wash the dishes?? Getting dressed for work is an aerobic activity! Frankly, I don't seem worth the effort right now.
Posted by Penny on February 11, 2004, at 10:09:11
In reply to How to get motivated when you're already depressed, posted by rainyday on February 11, 2004, at 9:33:21
Boy - I wish I could tell you!!! In fact, my favorite piece of advice is "You know, exercise helps - increases serotonin! It will make you feel better!" My GP was quite unhappy with my weight the last few times I've seen her, and I got the exercise lecture - and that's easy for someone to say when they don't understand the amount of effort it takes to get out of bed, much less to do anything else!!! Some days, I figure the docs should be happy that I'm not sleeping my life away.
Anyway, my therapist, bless her, told me to not worry so much about motivating myself to do big things (like start a regular exercise routine or change my diet) when I was seriously depressed - instead, to focus on getting on the proper meds and surviving day to day, and, if I happen to get a surge of motivation, then use that, but don't push myself too much. Once I was feeling better, it was much easier to do something. I still have no motivation to exercise, but I'm much closer now that my meds are working better, sans side effects, and I'm feeling better in general.
In other words, you have to crawl before you can walk - so focus as best you can on doing what you need to do to keep going day-to-day, use the occasional bursts of motivation if/when they come, and worry about the rest of it when you get out of this depression. You can't take on the world when you're not functioning at your best.
P
Posted by Wildflower on February 11, 2004, at 10:50:39
In reply to How to get motivated when you're already depressed, posted by rainyday on February 11, 2004, at 9:33:21
Is there someone that you could go for a walk with that would motivate you to crawl out of bed? It's always easier when someone else is there supporting you - or so they say.
Posted by Parisss on February 11, 2004, at 21:40:04
In reply to Re: How to get motivated when you're already depressed » rainyday, posted by Wildflower on February 11, 2004, at 10:50:39
I can sure identify with this thread. I have spent almost the last 6? months on the couch. My dearest friend suggested that I not take on too much also. She suggested that I take small achievements and be happy to have improved at all from the day before.
One day I decided a shower and clean clothes was an improvement over the previous day. Another day I prided myself in cleaning the bathroom floor and sink area. Not all days could I do better, but the days I did, I allowed myself to feel good about the improvement.
Today I was interviewed for a pro-active position within a mental health organization that only hires stable Bipolars/Schizoaffective, etc and I have great hopes that I am getting the job. I was (and still am) willing to just do some volunteer work to get me out of my hole and focusing on someone else.
I should know tomorrow if I get the job. I will be phoning other patients that are missing appointments and seeing if they are okay and what I can do to help. I can't remember a day I have felt as usefull as I do today. To know that I can actually use the hand I was dealt as an asset!
I am sure that you all know that Bipolar people tend to live in their own troubles and there are several theraputic ways to pull yourself up out of depression. This is one way that seems to really work for me.
Posted by rainyday on February 12, 2004, at 14:45:40
In reply to Re: How to get motivated when you're already depressed, posted by Parisss on February 11, 2004, at 21:40:04
> I can sure identify with this thread. I have spent almost the last 6? months on the couch. My dearest friend suggested that I not take on too much also. She suggested that I take small achievements and be happy to have improved at all from the day before.
>
> One day I decided a shower and clean clothes was an improvement over the previous day. Another day I prided myself in cleaning the bathroom floor and sink area. Not all days could I do better, but the days I did, I allowed myself to feel good about the improvement.
>
> Today I was interviewed for a pro-active position within a mental health organization that only hires stable Bipolars/Schizoaffective, etc and I have great hopes that I am getting the job. I was (and still am) willing to just do some volunteer work to get me out of my hole and focusing on someone else.
>
> I should know tomorrow if I get the job. I will be phoning other patients that are missing appointments and seeing if they are okay and what I can do to help. I can't remember a day I have felt as usefull as I do today. To know that I can actually use the hand I was dealt as an asset!
>
> I am sure that you all know that Bipolar people tend to live in their own troubles and there are several theraputic ways to pull yourself up out of depression. This is one way that seems to really work for me.
Good luck with the job! I appreciate all the feedback. Both my p-doc and t-doc agree that I am super hard on myself (who isn't?) and I have found something that is starting to help: yoga. It definitely helps you "listen" to your body and ground you in a healthier way. I also like the non-competitive aspect: you are only trying to better your own efforts. Thanks again everyone.
Posted by gardenergirl on February 13, 2004, at 7:05:36
In reply to Re: How to get motivated when you're already depressed » Parisss, posted by rainyday on February 12, 2004, at 14:45:40
I really like that about yoga, too. I think you have motivated me to do it today. Thanks!
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on February 13, 2004, at 7:06:12
In reply to Re: How to get motivated when you're already depressed, posted by Parisss on February 11, 2004, at 21:40:04
Posted by Parisss on February 13, 2004, at 11:14:20
In reply to Pariss, did you get the job? I hope! (nm), posted by gardenergirl on February 13, 2004, at 7:06:12
Welllll.. I hate to "jinx" it yet, but it appears so! Everyone so far is "very impressed" and think I am "perfect" for the job. I am trying to not get too settled into the idea until it is carved in stone. I did some volunteer work with the agency last night and one of the top people told me that they had met the last one I interviewed with in passing and he said he was "extremely impressed" with me. I am trying to stay humble with all this moral boosting. I did not hear the final word yesterday as I had hoped, but am waiting on pins and needles today.
Thanks for asking, I will post as soon as I know!
Paris
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