1. < Depression & Anxiety

Having trouble getting out of bed.

Posted by triciq50 @triciq50, Jan 21 11:10am

I'm on an anti-depressant, but still don't want to get out of bed. I think about things I have to do like take a shower and do laundry and am overwhelmed, so I stay in bed and do nothing but think about how lazy I am.

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walk4life | @walk4life | Jan 22 11:18am
In reply to @triciq50 "Mike, I have been on this particular anti-depressant for over a year now. I still have..." + (show)
@triciq50

Mike, I have been on this particular anti-depressant for over a year now. I still have days where I think I just don't want to be here anymore...I was really hoping the anti-depressant would eliminate that feeling. I just don't enjoy doing much of anything anymore and I feel like I just get throughevery day so I can do what I enjoy the most ... sleep (when I actually CAN sleep) or just rest and do nothing because I'm so tired of feeling so "blah" about everything. I just keep thinking ...what happened to me?... And what have I become and how do I change it? I know the way I feel is not normal or healthy...one should not wish for the end to one's own life, but I find I often do wish that for myself. 🙁

Jump to this post

@triciq50 Have you talked with your doctor about trying a different medication. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or counselor for the depression? Has the dosage of your antidepressant been changed at all? It sounds like you may need a different medication or to add another medication.

REPLY
1 reply
lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Jan 22 11:44am

Yes, mine is a vicious circle. I have chronic pain and lifelong depression. I cannot keep up with my house work because of the pain and mobility issues. Then the depression over everything piling up puts me in a state of overwhelming anxiety. So I do nothing.
At the moment I’m on the 3rd week of not taking a shower! I hate myself.
The disorganization around me makes my brain that more disorganized.
If it wasn’t for my dog needing walks and play, I would be in my bed.
I’ve been on numerous meds over the span of nearly 50 years. They don’t help my depression.

REPLY
triciq50 | @triciq50 | Jan 22 12:15pm
In reply to @walk4life "@triciq50 Have you talked with your doctor about trying a different medication. Are you seeing a..." + (show)
@walk4life

@triciq50 Have you talked with your doctor about trying a different medication. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or counselor for the depression? Has the dosage of your antidepressant been changed at all? It sounds like you may need a different medication or to add another medication.

Jump to this post

Thank you, Mike. I agree...it is likely time to adjust my meds or add something to it. I will do that:-)

REPLY
Scott R L | @scottrl | Jan 22 12:52pm
In reply to @mikekennedy759 "triciq50, thank you for sharing your feelings. I get those feelings on occasion too. Especially when..." + (show)
@mikekennedy759

triciq50, thank you for sharing your feelings. I get those feelings on occasion too. Especially when I have a "blue day"...that's what I call them. Anti-depressants help, as I can recall how I was before I started taking them. I have great days too; days where if you were to say I have been diagnosed with depression I would not remember it. So I know I am better but really not cured. Sometimes I feel trapped in this. I get the sense you might feel the same way.

In addition to medication, what else are you doing? I have been very active in the past year doing outdoor activities, social activities, journaling, and really just about anything I never have done before. Getting out with people was so important. I go to therapy and it helps to talk about things (actually it has been the most helpful).

Like you, I ask myself the question, "what happened to me?" Not sure when was the onset of your depression. A year ago perhaps? Mine came from a cardiac event/survivor's guilt. In reality, I have a great life. I should be happy. Even with all these activities, I could never get past the "blah" myself.

I will tell you it took a while for me to really turn a corner on this. It is when you recognize what is it that makes you feel the way you do, that's when you have something. For me, it was my emotional relationships between myself and others. I had lost my self-esteem and self-worth through my depression. I am too scared to get this back. That is when you are facing your inner feelings head on. It is hard, but knowing what path to take is so important. Hopefully, you will have a guide (therapist) and those who will support you (family and friends).

Getting back to your post. If the medication is not entirely working, a change may be in order. Just know, you should trust your feelings/instincts on this. My personal advice is any changes in medications you need to be watchful in your behavior and feelings. You are the only one who truly knows what is going on.

Jump to this post

Mike, it sounds like you're making a lot of progress. Congratulations!

REPLY
triciq50 | @triciq50 | Jan 22 5:55pm
In reply to @mikekennedy759 "triciq50, thank you for sharing your feelings. I get those feelings on occasion too. Especially when..." + (show)
@mikekennedy759

triciq50, thank you for sharing your feelings. I get those feelings on occasion too. Especially when I have a "blue day"...that's what I call them. Anti-depressants help, as I can recall how I was before I started taking them. I have great days too; days where if you were to say I have been diagnosed with depression I would not remember it. So I know I am better but really not cured. Sometimes I feel trapped in this. I get the sense you might feel the same way.

In addition to medication, what else are you doing? I have been very active in the past year doing outdoor activities, social activities, journaling, and really just about anything I never have done before. Getting out with people was so important. I go to therapy and it helps to talk about things (actually it has been the most helpful).

Like you, I ask myself the question, "what happened to me?" Not sure when was the onset of your depression. A year ago perhaps? Mine came from a cardiac event/survivor's guilt. In reality, I have a great life. I should be happy. Even with all these activities, I could never get past the "blah" myself.

I will tell you it took a while for me to really turn a corner on this. It is when you recognize what is it that makes you feel the way you do, that's when you have something. For me, it was my emotional relationships between myself and others. I had lost my self-esteem and self-worth through my depression. I am too scared to get this back. That is when you are facing your inner feelings head on. It is hard, but knowing what path to take is so important. Hopefully, you will have a guide (therapist) and those who will support you (family and friends).

Getting back to your post. If the medication is not entirely working, a change may be in order. Just know, you should trust your feelings/instincts on this. My personal advice is any changes in medications you need to be watchful in your behavior and feelings. You are the only one who truly knows what is going on.

Jump to this post

Thank you.

REPLY
katiegrace | @katiegrace | Jan 22 10:37pm

You are not lazy. One saying that I sometimes need to say to myself, that helps me get out of bed is "Make muscles move" (MMM). If I can just make my muscles move enough to put one foot on the floor, it helps me get out of bed.
Regarding getting things done- If I think of all the things I need to do, it is sometimes too overwhelming and nothing gets done. It helps me if I just think of one thing to do at a time, and then I don't get overwhelmed. And it also helps me to think how nice it will feel to have a clean organized room, or how nice I will feel after a shower or after a walk, or to think of the benefits of doing the work that needs to be done.

REPLY
1 reply
triciq50 | @triciq50 | Jan 23 12:13am
In reply to @katiegrace "You are not lazy. One saying that I sometimes need to say to myself, that helps..." + (show)
@katiegrace

You are not lazy. One saying that I sometimes need to say to myself, that helps me get out of bed is "Make muscles move" (MMM). If I can just make my muscles move enough to put one foot on the floor, it helps me get out of bed.
Regarding getting things done- If I think of all the things I need to do, it is sometimes too overwhelming and nothing gets done. It helps me if I just think of one thing to do at a time, and then I don't get overwhelmed. And it also helps me to think how nice it will feel to have a clean organized room, or how nice I will feel after a shower or after a walk, or to think of the benefits of doing the work that needs to be done.

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
dfb | @dfb | Jan 23 12:48pm
In reply to @triciq50 "Mike, I have been on this particular anti-depressant for over a year now. I still have..." + (show)
@triciq50

Mike, I have been on this particular anti-depressant for over a year now. I still have days where I think I just don't want to be here anymore...I was really hoping the anti-depressant would eliminate that feeling. I just don't enjoy doing much of anything anymore and I feel like I just get throughevery day so I can do what I enjoy the most ... sleep (when I actually CAN sleep) or just rest and do nothing because I'm so tired of feeling so "blah" about everything. I just keep thinking ...what happened to me?... And what have I become and how do I change it? I know the way I feel is not normal or healthy...one should not wish for the end to one's own life, but I find I often do wish that for myself. 🙁

Jump to this post

I have had long stretches of waking up suicidal. I am in one now. Antidepressant have never worked for me, and I've been on many, some for a long time. ECT did not work for me nor did Ketamine, though it was nice to be high for a couple of hours.

At my best I am a little sad. It is a level of sadness that I can live with. Loving my ex-wife and raising my children made it receed. Now that they are no longer in my life the clouds are over my head everyday. Most days I just want my life to end. Some days I think I will make it end.

What does work a little is getting out of bed and heading to the gym to exercise, even though I do not want to. It also helps that I eat a very nutritious diet. I plan it out so I don't have to try to figure it out in the morning when my depression is at its worst.

I'm not okay, but I'm functioning. If I am not going to kill myself, a daily decision, I am going to do everything I can to get better; mainly for my kids.

I have known peace and joy in my life, I suspect you have too. If I am not going to die, then I fight the best I can to get back there. Somedays all I can do is get up, have some breakfast (no sugar mind you) take a shower and turn on the television. On a good day I work on rebuilding my life.

I hope you live in peace and good health.

REPLY
1 reply
stellasmama | @stellasmama | Jan 24 5:19am

It’s common to lose executive function and not be able to get out of bed or move. You’re not lazy. Your body and mind want you to stop, be still and silent. To remove yourself from everyday routine/life and just exist. It makes sense.
I was depressed for 4-5 years after my family died and my life fell apart. Lost my business, my partner. Self isolated and got caught in a seemingly endless downward spiral. I couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t clean the house or shower. It would take for me to stink before I could shower. Weeks, sometimes. I would lie there talking to myself, crying, asking aloud “what’s the f-ing point?” Or “why did you all go and leave me here to suffer this pain?” At times I was angry at myself. At times hopeless and suicidal.
I really don’t know how I am still here, but I can tell you that my son and my psychologist are who got me through that dark lonely tunnel.
I’m saying this because I’ve been where you are, and with expert help, maybe meds and self-compassion, you will also get through.
Don’t try to do it alone. Seek help and get a friend to bring you groceries or cook you meals. Get another friend to gently remind you to have a shower once a week. Sit in the sun. Stay off social media. Watch nature documentaries if you can’t leave the house to walk. Listen to music. Let yourself cry, loudly, belly-sobbing. Never apologise for crying. Be gentle and caring towards your wounded self. I wish you all the best.

REPLY
ikemike12 | @ikemike12 | Jan 26 2:15pm
In reply to @triciq50 "Mike, I have been on this particular anti-depressant for over a year now. I still have..." + (show)
@triciq50

Mike, I have been on this particular anti-depressant for over a year now. I still have days where I think I just don't want to be here anymore...I was really hoping the anti-depressant would eliminate that feeling. I just don't enjoy doing much of anything anymore and I feel like I just get throughevery day so I can do what I enjoy the most ... sleep (when I actually CAN sleep) or just rest and do nothing because I'm so tired of feeling so "blah" about everything. I just keep thinking ...what happened to me?... And what have I become and how do I change it? I know the way I feel is not normal or healthy...one should not wish for the end to one's own life, but I find I often do wish that for myself. 🙁

Jump to this post

You’re not alone, I just hope you’re young and can find a good Doctor who can help you . Medicine really has helped me to live a normal life. Don’t hesitate to call one 🙂

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