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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gritslad on August 15, 2000, at 14:05:27
I'm not quite depressed enough to try the two medications I've yet to try, yet I don't feel like doing anything. I'm particularly avoiding cleaning my house, which I just have to do. What are your best recommendations for getting out of a rut like this?
Posted by Sandi Pantalon on August 15, 2000, at 19:58:53
In reply to motivation without medication, posted by gritslad on August 15, 2000, at 14:05:27
Hi gritslad:
What two medications were you prescribed?
The only way I could get out of the deep, deep rut I was in with atypical depression was by taking medications - and trying several different combinations until I found one that worked...
I hope I never slide into the abyss of despair again...
If I were you: try the medications ;) Give them several weeks to start working too.
Hope to see you on the top of a mountain and with a clean(er) house before long
< VBG >,Sandi*
(Bipolar II / ADHD / ENFP / Aquarian)
(Who ACTUALLY started cleaning up *2* years worth of papers, magazines, etc. from my study last week...)
Posted by SarahB on August 16, 2000, at 1:47:56
In reply to motivation without medication, posted by gritslad on August 15, 2000, at 14:05:27
Whoo, Boyyy... I have been there! I finally just got to the point of doing it. I figured if I could do it, I could then take a day off and not feel the lest bit worry about it. It really seemed like a good plan for me. Once I went on Adderall, it was a whole new game and it was done everyday with time to spare to veg on the couch and nt feel the least bit of guilt. When I started it was just one room...itmight have taken me two days to get it tidey but I did it. Oh, besure to have a box of trash bags.... get rid of junk, it helps...simplify! open some windows to get some light in and it will bring much cheer. put on some good "dancing" type music up load and have fun... Make it a game... Anyway, these all seem to work for me. Hope they do you too...
Sarah
Posted by SarahB on August 16, 2000, at 1:54:56
In reply to Re: motivation without medication » gritslad, posted by Sandi Pantalon on August 15, 2000, at 19:58:53
Two years worth? Whoaaaa, you got me beat! Then again, let's keep in mind that we are not typical ppl. They can be boring!! I actually cleaned off the computer desk for the first time in Two monts, so I am doing better... :-) The living room and kitchen almost always look nice but down the hallway.... well, that's a nother story... LOL it is getting much better and my laundry is three loads away from being done... AHHHHH, the life of an ADD'er...lol
Posted by Rhainy on August 16, 2000, at 8:25:15
In reply to motivation without medication, posted by gritslad on August 15, 2000, at 14:05:27
Gritslad,
I am Exactly where you are now in the *Motivation* dept...I have several orders for Custom clothing I must make...and they are all over 4 months past due...I just cannot/willnot work on them...I have so much trouble concentrating I cannot seem to get past starting the projects.
> I'm not quite depressed enough to try the two medications I've yet to try, yet I don't feel like doing anything. I'm particularly avoiding cleaning my house, which I just have to do. What are your best recommendations for getting out of a rut like this?
And as for my house, thankfully my Beloved cleans just as much as I *Used* to so we are not too bad off.
I have been trying with No Meds for about 4 weeks now and feel Horrible alot of times, but one thing I have found is to make myself do *1 Thing* each day...sometimes that one thing leads to another and things get done, other times it ends up not leading to any more getting accomplished but I Know I have done that *1 Thing* and can accept that on that day it was all I would accomplish.
Keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.
Blessings,
Rhainy
Posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 13:53:26
In reply to Re: motivation without medication » gritslad, posted by Rhainy on August 16, 2000, at 8:25:15
Thanks for the tips. I just got back from staying at a bed and breakfast where, of course, everything was in its place. I marveled. Then I went to my cousin's house where she has--and this is no exaggeration--a bedroom with I'm guessing 20 years worth of accumulated newsclippings, magazines, books, outdated cosmetics etc. surrounding her. Seeing that motivated me a bit, so I don't end up there. You know I've never been treated for ADD--just plain old depression, and the two drugs I've never tried are Wellbutrin and Serzone. Done every other with varying effectiveness. I will mention this Adderall to my shrink though he's a psychologist who is not big on meds. The only med he ever mentions in Zoloft, which never worked for me. Well I'm off to get some trashbags. Will keep eveyone posted.
Posted by emily on August 19, 2000, at 17:46:40
In reply to Re: motivation without medication, posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 13:53:26
I have had the same struggles with motivation. When I come out of depression (usually for a month or so every winter), I get excited and interested and organize the months of papers and stuff that has piled up... this past winter I even sent away for grad school info (in psych--go figure ;)
I can almost remember what it felt like to WANT to have a clean house. I hope you can get in touch with that--sounds like you found some motivation at your cousin's house. Good luck!
Posted by Noa on August 19, 2000, at 22:07:55
In reply to Re: motivation without medication, posted by emily on August 19, 2000, at 17:46:40
I have motivation problems, too. My meds are working pretty well, but the residual symptoms are still there. I feel so unmotivated altogether.
My apartment probably beats all of yours combined. It is truly a disaster area. I hate being there (I'm at my brother's now). I have to start working on it.
At work, I haven't been able to motivate myself much either. I did get some things done, but then on Friday, I literally spent the entire day playing minesweeper on the computer as if in a hypnotic trance. I just couldn't face the work.
I am constantly procrastinating everything. I just cannot muster up motivation for anything that isn't passive.
I have ideas of how to proceed with cleaning,, and ideas of things I want to do or ways to get other things done, but then I just never put them into action.
Speaking of adderall, I am planning to try it in place of the ritalin next month to see if it makes a difference. If not, I will try dexedrine, too. I can't make the change now because I am about to start another medicine, for insulin resistance (precursor to diabetes type 2) and I dont' want to make two changes at the same time.
I did miss a few doses of my thyroid medicine this week because I forgot to refill the scrips. first I missed cytomel a couple of days, now today, I missed synthroid. I think the synthroid has a longer half life, but supposedly the cytomel has a short half life, so I do wonder if that has affected my mood, passivity, lack of motivation.
My mood is not terrible. I don't feel especially depressed. Like I said, I think my meds are pretty much working. But this lack of motivation, this passivity is getting old already.
Posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:23:33
In reply to Re: motivation without medication, posted by Noa on August 19, 2000, at 22:07:55
Sometimes I use the mantra:
Try anyway.
Sometimes I say "try anyway" to myself all day long.
Posted by jules on August 24, 2000, at 17:06:33
In reply to Re: motivation without medication, posted by Noa on August 19, 2000, at 22:07:55
Hi Guys!
Been following this board for awhile, but don't post much. Over a period of 18mos., got the depression kicked, but still experienced profound lethargy as well as lack of motivation.
Reading up on ADD, I suggested Adderall to the pdoc, and it worked wonders! Of course, I had to get up to the right dose, but I am finally digging myself out of my disorganization.
Hope this helps.
Julie
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