Motivation and ignoring thoughts

Sketchy · 09-10-2016, 02:22 AM

I'm struggling with motivation. Depression makes everything hard. I wish I could get a spark of energy, but I can't face the simplest of tasks. How do you motivate yourself?
When I'm not sluggish and low I'm highly anxious and can't make certain thoughts go away. It's exhausting. I go over the thoughts over and over but it's relentless.
I guess I'm asking how you distract yourself and how you give yourself that kick to accomplish things. I hate being like this.

I think this has worsened from a change in medication. I can't go back to previous medication because of a side effect, even though it was helping. I'm scared I'm sinking and getting the way I was last year when I ended up in hospital.

Sooty · 10-10-2016, 03:53 PM

I wish I could sit here and type a great answer as to how to motivate yourself and distract yourself from the thoughts going round your head but in reality there is no one answer and I think it's something that you gradually learn about yourself over time and it's something completely individual to you.

It does sound like a medication change could have contributed to how you are feeling. Have you gone back to your GP / psychiatrist for a follow up with this med change? Perhaps you need to speak with them about how you are feeling and see if your meds need tweaking some more?

It's great that you've reached out here though. Keep typing how you feel, the support is out there for you.

Sophie.x

Sketchy · 10-10-2016, 09:12 PM

Thanks Sophie. I have a psych appointment at some point this month so I'll discuss it with her again. I have spoken with her and had a med increased, but I don't know. I'm struggling to articulate what I mean.

Uglyducklin · 10-10-2016, 10:55 PM

I'm so sorry you are hurting. I have no useful words but wanted to leave a hug xx

Zurg · 11-10-2016, 07:17 PM

I go through bad patches too where everything seems impossible and just too much effort. My cpn told me today that maybe i have to lower my expectations of myself and my ability to handle everything during those bad patches. She said that sometimes, and especially when we are struggling, it's important to acknowlegde that we can't do everything in the way we expect ourselves to be able to do it. And that is okay.

I know that this does not seem to answer your questions but i just wanted to say that maybe now, while you're feeling fragile and vulnerable due to depression, you should not expect too much of yourself and you should not push yourself beyond your limits. It is okay to go through periodes where the energy and motivation are low. And maybe you should try to focus on things that make you happy instead of focusing on tasks that can wait a day or two. I often find if i take a couple of days to really be nice to myself then i'll start finding the energy for the more difficult things too.

And Lorraine, you've had a really rough year so cut yourself some slack <3

Sketchy · 11-10-2016, 08:48 PM

Thank you duckling.

Kat, thank you. That's really helpful and something I certainly will take on board.

I appreciate everyone's advice and kindness.

zombiehunter · 11-10-2016, 09:41 PM

if I came and gave you a kick up the bum would that help?

maybe it will take time for the new meds to kick in I don't know, have you spoken to your GP about it if you think that is what the problem is??

anyway I hope you feel more motivated and i'm a pm away if you want

Sketchy · 12-10-2016, 09:10 PM

Thanks zombie. I have a psych appointment soon, so I'll mention it then.

Pi.R^2 · 22-10-2016, 02:50 PM

Heya! Have you had the psych appointment yet? I don't know what medication you were on that was helpful, but it could be worth reading around it a bit and seeing if there's any second medication you could ask about that alleviates the side effect that meant you had to come off it. It's a long shot, but it just reminded me of how adding in aripiprazole can counter the increased prolactin effect of other APs, so I thought it was worth a mention in case there was something similar for your medication's side effects.

In terms of motivation to accomplish things, have you tried stickers charts, rewards, to do lists etc? Though I agree with Kat that sometimes the best thing to do is not accomplish anything other than being kind to yourself and doing things that make you happy!

Sketchy · 24-10-2016, 09:44 PM

Thanks Jenna. I'm going to try rewards after I complete so many tasks.
I have an appointment tomorrow. I had an appointment with an ot last week and we are trying to come up with a plan to help.

Pi.R^2 · 29-10-2016, 07:19 PM

How did your appointment go?

Sketchy · 29-10-2016, 08:39 PM

Thanks for asking Jenna.

Appointment left me confused and annoyed. I've to increase my AP but I need to get blood tests first because of a possible side effect. The last ap I was on worked better but the side effect was not good. Wondering were this will leave me if I have to stop this one. I sometimes wonder why I even take them and if I should stop both meds. I'm also on an AD. I know the thoughts that trouble me would increase, so I'm not going to stop them, even though I sometimes think I should. I'm all a bit mixed up with my thinking just now.

Sketchy · 29-10-2016, 08:44 PM

Also, in terms of getting things done and motivation, I've written out a to do list for each week. I've also made sure to include a reward at the end of the week, so next week I get to do some DVD shopping.

Margo · 31-10-2016, 02:03 PM

Sounds like a good plan to me. At my worst I made lists just for that day. Simple stuff like cleaning teeth, eating some fresh fruit, going for a short walk, listening to or watching something nice etc.

It sucks when med changes are recommended and I understand the thoughts to just stop taking them. However, you know this is seldom a good idea and it's usually the depression talking.

Lots of fresh air and as much natural light as possible.

Take care
Matthew x

Sketchy · 31-10-2016, 06:54 PM

Thanks Matthew. I'm not going to stop taking them unless I'm told to. I think I was just being stroppy the other day.

Pi.R^2 · 06-11-2016, 12:53 PM

It's OK to be stroppy sometimes, medication and side effects can be very annoying. Your to do list with a reward sounds great, hope you've been able to buy yourself some nice DVDs :)

Sketchy · 06-11-2016, 02:51 PM

Thanks Jenna.

Sketchy · 09-11-2016, 11:58 PM

Sorry to bump this thread again, but I'm terrified. I want to make the fear go away. Distractions aren't helping. I have repetitive thoughts over in my head. Some thoughts are about certain things that make me anxious and a fear that I'm being watched and tracked or that I'm in trouble or could get into trouble, but I have this sense that something bad will happen too and it's scaring me. Does anyone have any advice on how to calm down?

not_so_insig · 10-11-2016, 03:18 AM

Do you have any prn?

I hope that you managed to sleep and that your thoughts weren't too troublesome.

Sketchy · 10-11-2016, 06:46 PM

Thank you Dawn. No, I don't have prn. I think I need to start taking my meds earlier at night. It takes me ages to get the sleep. I'm feeling calmer today but still anxious. It's exhausting. I've spent the day in bed. Tomorrow has to be different. I'll need to go out and get some routine of some kind.