Difficulty Recovering - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

paraphan · 11-20-2008, 11:19 PM

I have had bipolar for a while and had a bad 'break' about 2 years ago. Over the last 12 months I have been trying to get back into doing things and I just can't. I spend most of my day sitting on the side of my bed trying to motivate myself to do anything and I am not getting anywhere. I make appointments to see my dr. and cancel them because I can't bear the thought of going out. I am not wallowing in self pity but feel that I have lost the capacity to motivate myself. I don't know how to help myself. My dr. hasn't been helpful. Any thoughts?

Maisy65 · 11-21-2008, 02:41 AM

It can be difficult to get motivated when you are unwell. My only suggestion would be to try to go and see your doctor - make the effort to get that help - it's a positive step. Sometimes visualising yourself being motivated can get you moving! I do understand how you can feel that way though - I too can be lethargic. That's when I really have to make an effort to get up, have a shower, and get going for the day. And I always feel better for it. Let us know how you go! - Maisy

katlin09 · 11-21-2008, 08:24 AM

Maisy is right, as hard as it is you really need to get up and go to your doc. do you see a psychiatrist or a general practioner? If you feel that you can't get the strength up to drive yourself, is there a friend or family member that could take you, maybe that would help. Call and make an appointment and go, because staying this way will only continue to get worse. Trust me I've been there, and get there alot, and it's not a good place to be. Luckily I have a 10 yr old son, that gets me motivated to get up and go to my pdoc and tdoc to get me out of the slump.

Good luck and let us know how your doing.

dreams in neon · 11-21-2008, 02:24 PM

paraphan,

I've been there, done that, so I completely understand how you feel.

One thing that helps me with my lack of motivation is being able to picture the end result. Instead of thinking about all of the steps I need to go through in order to complete a task, I think of the end result and how it will make me feel.

If you don't feel well enough to see a pdoc on your own, I would take Kat's advice and ask if a friend or family member can take you.

Good luck!

dreams in neon
Bipolar I - Rapid Cycling
Schizoaffective Disorder - Bipolar Type

MaestroStar · 11-21-2008, 03:30 PM

I was in the same place as you were there for awhile. Before I had to go to work I would spend every waking moment just lying around doing nothing unable to move my body to do any physical activity. I don't know what it was. I talked to my Dr. and therapist about it and they didn't seem to care too much, but it concerned me greatly. I ended up quitting my job and have been unemployed since, which isn't the greatest thing in the world. But I seem more motivated to do things now. The best thing I could recommend you doing is just to push yourself to do one thing at a time. Just getting out of bed can be quite impressive if you're feeling extremely depressed. The next step would be to eat some breakfast or take a shower and see where your day takes you from there. Best of wishes,

MaestroStar