Depression and routine

[Sketchy]

I'm sorry to start another thread , but I'd really appreciate your advice on how to get through depression and to get into a routine.
I go through extreme panic and then plumit to being really low. When I'm low I struggle with motivation and can't seem to stick to a routine. I don't properly take care of myself and feel so hopeless. How do you get through this? I feel so awful. I don't want to feel like this and I can't cope. I have an appointment with my key worker tomorrow but I just don't see the point because everything seems so hopeless.

[tiptoes]

Getting into any routine when depressed is difficult especially when everything feels so hopeless.

I have been keeping a bullet journal which has allowed me to maintain motivation for doing things and it is flexible enough that I can change expectations for how I'm doing on any given day or week.

It is easy to focus on the parts of your routine which is missing. One thing that I found helpful was to figure out what I was able to do and then start to incorporate small things here and there.

[Sketchy]

A bullet journal sounds a good idea. I should probably stick to small things I can do that is not too overwhelming.

I feel so low. I hate this so much.

[tiptoes]

I have some weeks where my goals were things like wearing clean socks and brushing my teeth. At first I found I was probably doing as many of the little things as I was before but I was mixing them up more so I felt a little better as it wasn't so long between them.

The thing I like the most about it is the flexibility, if one thing wasn't working I discuss it with my uni mentor and we'd come up with something else to try the following week. Maybe it is something you could talk to your key worker about?

Hang in there, I know how dreadful you must be feeling right now. It can and will pass.

[Sketchy]

Thank you. I really appreciate that.

[Sketchy]

Thanks auror. That was helpful. The to do lists sound a good idea and I'll try get out for a bit too.

[Sketchy]

I feel so awful. I'm jumping from panic to lows. I've been given a prescription for diazepam which I hope helps with the panic, because it is so exhausting. It's very confusing and tiring dealing with anxiety and depression at the same time. I want to get into a routine though and fight this so I'll try the to do lists. It's all so overwhelming though.

[Wonderland.]

I can definitely relate to how tiring dealing with both being low and anxious is. I do hope the Diazepam works for you.

Motivation is a big struggle for me to, and tiredness definitely doesn't help with that. What I have recently found useful though, and I don't know if you have ever tried it but I've been doing some yoga a home and have found it helpful in making me feel less tired and tense. Which in turn helps me have more energy to do things. I mean sometimes it takes all my energy just to do the simplest tasks so that has helped massively for me.

[Sketchy]

Thanks Amy. I've never tried yoga, but maybe it's something I should give a go.

[Wonderland.]

I just looked on youtube for beginner videos and found the voice of someone not annoying! It's actually helping me sleep much better which is a major plus as well.

Also I don't think there is any harm in trying it. Nothing bad could come out of trying, and you could even come out with some positives.

[Sketchy]

I'm glad it's helping you sleep Amy. It's certainly worth a try.